There are plenty of standards in the IT world that organizations must comply with, one of them being the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
This blog post aims to shed light on what CMMC is, its importance, its different levels, and whether every business needs it.
Assess your CMMC readiness and compliance.
CMMC explained
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification—better known as CMMC—is a unified standard implemented by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to improve the cybersecurity posture of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) in the United States. It comprises a set of cybersecurity practices and processes designed to protect sensitive data, particularly federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) circulating within the DIB.
Its first model, CMMC 1.0, was released on January 31, 2020. CMMC 1.0 featured five different maturity levels, ranging from basic cyber hygiene to advanced or progressive practices.
However, after receiving negative industry feedback around the complexity and cost of CMMC 1.0, the DoD conducted an internal review and decided that it would replace the original framework with CMMC 2.0.
Introduced in November 2021, with rulemaking and phased implementation continuing through 2025 and beyond, CMMC 2.0 was the streamlined version of its predecessor. The model had three control levels as opposed to the five maturity levels in CMMC 1.0.
As of 2025–2026, CMMC requirements are being phased into DoD contracts, meaning certification is only required when explicitly included in contract solicitations.
CMMC 2.0 levels: A quick overview
The five maturity levels of CMMC 1.0 were reduced to three in the 2.0 framework.
Level 1 — Foundational
This level focuses on basic cybersecurity measures and is a requirement for organizations working with FCI. It includes the 15 security controls outlined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-21.
Think of it as the starting point for cybersecurity; it includes basic security practices, such as keeping your doors locked and making sure only the right people have access to your information.
Level 2 — Advanced
Contractors who handle CUI must meet this certification level. This stage goes beyond the simple safeguards required by Level 1 as it aligns with the 110 security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171. It involves building a cybersecurity playbook filled with well-documented processes and strategies. Simply put, it’s about installing a full security system.
Level 3 — Expert
Intended for contractors with the highest-priority programs with CUI, Level 3 focuses on proactive cyber defense as it includes additional controls based on NIST SP 800-172. Only a handful of DoD contractors will need to reach this compliance level.
Each of these levels builds off one another, meaning completing Level 2 compliance requires completing Level 1.
Does every business need to comply with CMMC?
Businesses must comply with CMMC requirements when they’re included in specific DoD contract solicitations.
The awarding or continuance of a DoD contract is highly dependent on whether the entities involved comply with the CMMC 2.0 requirements, meaning that an organization must be CMMC compliant throughout the duration of its contract.
However, considering the rise in cyber threats, any business that values data security might find it beneficial to adopt the practices outlined in CMMC.
Why is CMMC Important?
In an era where cyber threats are increasingly prevalent, CMMC serves as a critical framework for ensuring robust cybersecurity measures. It’s not just a certification; it represents an organization’s commitment to securing data and demonstrates its ability to safeguard sensitive information.
More importantly, it presents MSPs with the perfect opportunity to help their clients adopt stronger cybersecurity measures through continuous monitoring, documentation support, and security tooling. Understanding CMMC requirements for MSPs is becoming increasingly important, especially for those supporting DoD contractors or handling environments with CUI.
Do MSPs need CMMC certifications? The answer depends on their level of involvement with controlled data and whether they fall within the scope of a contractor’s CMMC assessment.
NinjaOne is FedRAMP Moderate Authorized and aligns with CMMC frameworks.
Conclusion
CMMC is more than just a cybersecurity standard; it’s a testament to an organization’s commitment to data protection. While it’s currently required for DoD contractors, its principles are universally applicable and can significantly enhance any organization’s cybersecurity posture.
By taking the time to understand how CMMC works, organizations can assess their cybersecurity posture and determine whether implementing the framework can strengthen their operations before pursuing certification.
