As cybersecurity becomes more important for businesses handling defense contracts, understanding the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is essential. Budgeting is often the biggest challenge in achieving CMMC compliance. This guide outlines areas you may need to invest in to achieve CMMC certification and ongoing maintenance.
Start with a CMMC Assessment
Certification begins with understanding your cybersecurity baseline. CMMC certification will cost you a significant investment. It’s important to invest in the right program areas and avoid redundancies. An assessment by qualified CMMC experts can set your baseline and prepare a remediation plan.
Pro Tip: Get quotes from multiple assessors to find one that fits your budget. Schedule a free 15-minute consultation with our cybersecurity experts to answer your questions about starting your CMMC gap assessment.
Cybersecurity Investments
Achieving compliance often involves upgrading tools, software, and infrastructure. Essential investments may include firewalls, endpoint detection systems, and SIEM tools. Older systems may need replacing, and subscription-based security solutions can spread costs over time, simplifying budgeting.
Internal Expertise and Training
Compliance may require hiring cybersecurity experts or upskilling your current team. Roles like CISO or cybersecurity analysts are crucial. Training staff in the best practices will help protect the government’s controlled unclassified information (CUI), ease compliance management, and reduce long-term risks.
External Consultants
External consultants can streamline the compliance process, helping identify gaps and implement cost-effective solutions. While they add to upfront costs, their expertise often saves time and avoids errors. AXIOTROP offers tailored support to guide you through CMMC certification.
Documentation and Policies
Updating or creating policies aligned with CMMC is critical. Documentation often includes procedures for data handling, incident response, and risk management. Budget for professional tools or services to simplify this process.
CMMC Third-Party Assessment
For Level 2 companies (those that receive CUI) will need a CMMC Third Party Assessment by a certified C3PAO. Defense contractors should budget $50k minimum for this assessment.
Ongoing Compliance Costs
CMMC compliance is an ongoing effort. Budget for subscription-based tools, regular audits, and re-certifications. Continuous monitoring and maintenance are essential to meet evolving standards.
Pro Tip: Choose scalable solutions to support growth and avoid costly overhauls. Look into grants, like those from the DoD or other government agencies, to help offset expenses.
With careful planning, CMMC compliance costs can be managed effectively. Assess your cybersecurity gaps, invest in necessary tools and expertise, and plan for ongoing maintenance to meet DoD standards and protect sensitive data.
About AXIOTROP, LLC:
Ready to start your CMMC journey? Begin by identifying your cybersecurity gaps and building a tailored remediation budget. AXIOTROP’s mission is to make cybersecurity accessible, attainable, and sustainable for small and medium-sized businesses so they remain competitive and poised for growth. We simplify cybersecurity by working closely with businesses to right-size their program for their needs, resulting in client retention, business expansion, and reduced risk.
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