What are the CMMC Levels?
With the introduction of CMMC 2.0, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was streamlined from five to three levels. The CMMC levels are:
- CMMC 2.0 Level 1: Basic Safeguarding of FCI
- Requirements: Annual self-assessment and annual affirmation of compliance with the 15 security requirements in FAR clause 52.204-21.
- CMMC 2.0 Level 2: Broad Protection of CUI
- Requirements:
- Either a self-assessment or a C3PAO assessment every three years, as specified in the solicitation.
- Decided by the type of information processed, transmitted, or stored on the contractor or subcontractor information systems.
- Requirements:
- Annual affirmation, verify compliance with the 110 security requirements in NIST SP 800-171 Revision 2.
- CMMC 2.0 Level 3: Higher-Level Protection of CUI Against Advanced Persistent Threats
- Requirements:
- Successfully demonstrate conformity with CMMC 2.0 Level 2.
- Undergo an assessment every three years by the Defense Contract Management Agency’s Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC).
- Requirements:
- Provide an annual affirmation verifying compliance with the 24 identified requirements from NIST SP 800-172.