For organizations working within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) protecting the sensitive data they are given by the federal government is of the utmost importance. To help ensure that organizations are implementing the protections they claim to be, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was created by the Department of Defense (DoD). CMMC is the vehicle in which the DoD will audit and assess defense contractors against the controls outlined in NIST 800-171 and DFARS. These requirements aren't new however, in fact contractors have been required to implement these practices since 2017. While self-attestation was sufficient in the past, CMMC will require third-party assessments depending on the level of controlled unclassified information (CUI) the contractor has access to.
For small-medium sized businesses, these controls are complex and expensive to implement in a timely manner. This is why managed service providers (MSPs, also known as ESPs under CMMC documentation) are commonly enlisted to help ensure a certain level of security across the organization. However, as regulations become more stringent and CMMC nears finalization, SMBs need to ask themselves if their MSP/ESP is qualified to handle CMMC. For many the answer is a resounding no.
Why Should You Enlist the Aid of an MSP?
SMBs are often faced with the challenge of protecting their critical business assets from cyber threats with limited resources, funding, and expertise. Many of these organizations cannot afford to hire an entire IT staff to manage their IT systems, let alone managed their compliance. Managed Service Providers/External Service Providers offer the following benefits:
- Reduced Costs: Hiring an MSP/ESP is often significantly cheaper than hiring a full time IT staff. In addition to paying employees, business must also shoulder the burden of paying for the tools and applications required to secure an entire company. For many SMBs this is unfeasible. An MSP/ESP provides a dedicated IT team with the expertise and resources to effectively secure your business, at a fraction of the cost.
- Increased Efficiency: Business leaders already have a lot on their plate when running a business. Ensuring that the company is delivering their products or services well while also juggling the security posture of an entire IT environment is a tall order. Letting an MSP/ESP handle the IT and security side of the business lets managers focus on their day-to-day obligations to the company.
- Greater Visibility: MSPs/ESP provide greater insight into the health of your organization's security. Being able to know where your strengths lie gives you greater confidence in your organizations ability to protects its own day and that of its customers.
Considering that 74% of the DIB is made up of small businesses, many of the organizations applying for CMMC will need some form of MSP/ESP to help them. This is why potential, or current contractors must examine whether or not their current MSP/ESP will be able to provide them with the CMMC compliant services they require.
Why You Should Hire a CMMC Compliant MSP (known as ESP for CMMC2.0):
Failing to protect CUI can result in a number of consequences including financial loss, reputational damage, or legal repercussions. Choosing a CMMC compliant (C3PAO) MSP is an important step in securing access to CUI and maintaining compliance. While no longer required for MSPs/ESPs, achieving a third-party C3PAO certification eases the burden of compliance for the contractor. If a contractor were to hire an MSP that is not CMMC compliant, the organization seeking certification (OSC) would have to include the MSP/ESP in their third-party audit. Every contract and audit would have to include the MSP/ESP, making it more expensive, complex, and time consuming.
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Questions to Ask a Potential ESP/MSP
If you aren't sure whether or not your MSP/ESP will up to the task of CMMC compliance, you need to have that conversation sooner rather than later. Here are several questions you should consider regarding CMMC compliance:
- Will your MSP/ESP be able to attain the same level of CMMC compliance as our organization?
- What is your MSPs/ESPs cost associated with CMMC services?
- What is the timeline for when you can expect your MSP/ESP to be CMMC complaint?
- Does your MSP/ESP provide a shared responsibility matrix (SRM)?
- Does your MSP/ESP have experience in supporting defense contractors?
Long-term Considerations for Selecting a C3PAO-Certified MSP
Commitment Period -
Choosing an MSP/ESP should be seen as a multi-year commitment, typically spanning at least three years. Switching providers post-certification will often require recertification, adding time and expense.
Tools and Process Changes:
If a certified MSP/ESP modifies any in-scope tools or processes, only they need to recertify—an important distinction. This means your compliance status remains unaffected unless the provider fails their recertification. Conversely, with an uncertified MSP/ESP, any change to in-scope tools or processes could necessitate recertification for your organization.
CorpInfoTech, a CMMC Compliant MSP
CorpInfoTech is a managed service provider that offers IT and cybersecurity solutions to SMBs seeking to bolster their security posture and achieve compliance. As a certified Registered Provider Organization (RPO) with the CyberAB, CorpInfoTech is able to serve contractors in achieving and maintaining compliance. We are committed to CMMC Level 2 compliance internally and will be among the first to be audited under the final CMMC rule.
With CorpInfoTech's TAS for CMMC Compliance, contractors will be instantly compliant with 210+ of the objectives required by CMMC. As one of the first MSPs/ESPs to achieve CMMC Level 2 C3PAO certification, CorpInfoTech's CMMC compliance product stands above the rest in providing enterprise level compliance and security to SMBs.
Through TAS for CMMC Compliance, contractors will automatically inherit 200+ out of the 320 objectives required by CMMC. This helps eliminate the stress of upcoming third-party audits while also enhancing compliance efficiency and reducing overall risk.
If you're a defense contractor that requires an MSP/ESP to aid in CMMC compliance, look no further than CorpInfoTech.
Contact us today to learn more about how we help contractors achieve and maintain compliance on time, on budget, and with tangible results.
CorpInfoTech is committed to become CMMC level 2 (C3PAO) compliant to better serve your organization. Our audit is aligned early in the programs roll out, making us likely among the first MSPs to achieve certification.
