In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, businesses in Ontario, Canada, must stay abreast of the latest regulatory requirements to protect their sensitive information and maintain the trust of their clients. Two crucial frameworks that demand attention are the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication 800-171.
These are both United States frameworks, but they are important for Ontario businesses to know because any Canadian business dealing with the United States Department of Defense must meet the requirements.
This blog post aims to provide Ontario business owners with a brief understanding of these compliance frameworks and the steps required to adhere to them.
The CMMC 2.0 is an enhanced version of the original CMMC framework developed by the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to secure the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It serves as a comprehensive set of cybersecurity standards that contractors and subcontractors must meet to bid on and execute DoD contracts.
Each maturity level consists of a set of processes and practices, which we call controls, that organizations must implement to secure their systems and data effectively.
NIST Special Publication 800-171 outlines the cybersecurity requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems and organizations. It serves as a foundational framework for securing sensitive information and aligns closely with CMMC.
NIST 800-171 includes 14 families of security requirements, each addressing specific aspects of information security, such as access control, incident response, and configuration management.
CMMC 2.0 incorporates many of the NIST 800-171 requirements within its framework, making compliance with NIST an integral part of achieving CMMC certification. Ontario business owners should recognize the synergies between these two frameworks and approach their cybersecurity initiatives holistically.
Work with accredited C3PAOs for CMMC 2.0 assessments and conduct regular self-assessments aligned with NIST 800-171.
As Ontario businesses continue to operate in an increasingly digital and interconnected world, adherence to cybersecurity frameworks like CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-171 is not just a regulatory requirement but a critical step in safeguarding sensitive information. By understanding the nuances of these frameworks and implementing robust cybersecurity measures, businesses can not only meet compliance obligations but also fortify their defenses against evolving cyber threats.
At Attitude IT, we can help your organization implement the security controls and compliance requirements needed for certification. Although we are not a certifying body ourselves, we help you make sure everything is in place so you will pass your assessment with the certifying bodies.