CMMC Readiness – Boston Essex (MA)

CMMC Compliance

Boston, Essex, and other Massachusetts Department of Defense (DoD) contractors and subcontractors will soon be required to comply with the new Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 standard. The new standard is designed to help counteract the significant increase in the compromises of sensitive defense information which is shared across the defense industrial base.

In the past, DoD contractors have been responsible for maintaining certain cybersecurity practices, but under the emerging CMMC requirements contractors must undergo third-party compliance assessments and implement additional security protections. Once implemented contractors and subcontractors will need to be compliant to be awarded contract work.

5 CMMC Maturity Levels (ML)

Phased in over a five-year period, CMMC includes 5 maturity levels based on a Massachusetts DoD contractor’s access to Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).  CMMC ML 1, known as basic cyber hygiene, requires the use of techniques such as antivirus and passwords to control access to FCI. The requirements become more complex reaching a Level 5, Optimizing, which requires standardized processes to address Advanced Persistent Threats (APT).

Massachusetts Top DoD Spending Locations

Boston CMMC Services

Many Boston DoD contractors will need assistance performing initial assessments to uncover issues, establish corrective actions, and to chart a path towards CMMC readiness.

The CMMC is complex. ML 3 contains 381 discrete cybersecurity requirements spread among 130 practices, and 310 policy/procedure requirements spread among 51process maturity requirements. The requirements are complex, and our team has almost 20 years of experience providing cybersecurity compliance services across many complex frameworks such as NIST SP 800-171, NIST SP 800-53, HIPAA, and others. As a CMMC Registered Provider Organization (RPO), our team can help DoD prime and subcontractors with the following:

• Readiness Assessments and Gap Analyses Against the CMMC Framework
• Assistance with Remediating Gaps Identified during Readiness Assessment
• Assistance with NIST SIP 800-171 Self-Assessment that is recorded in Supplier Performance Risk System
• Creating System Security Plans (SSP)
• Creating Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&M)

About Boston DoD Contractors

Boston’s Department of Defense (DOD) contractors are integral to the city’s role in national security and technological innovation. While Boston may not be widely known for hosting major military installations, it is a hub for defense-related businesses and research institutions. These contractors specialize in various fields, including advanced technology, cybersecurity, and research and development.

Boston’s DOD contractors often collaborate with prestigious research universities and institutions, such as MIT and Harvard, contributing to cutting-edge defense technologies and solutions. Their expertise extends to areas like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and robotics, which are critical for modern defense applications.

The presence of DOD contractors in Boston enhances the region’s reputation as a center for innovation and technology advancement, while also contributing to the nation’s defense readiness. These contractors not only support national security but also create jobs, foster economic growth, and advance emerging technologies, ensuring that the United States remains at the forefront of defense capabilities. Boston’s commitment to technological excellence is exemplified by the contributions of its DOD contractors.

National Reach

We also provide CMMC services to Department of Defense Contractors in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Vermont, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maine,  Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas,  Vermont, the state of Washington, and Washington DC.