CMMC Certification: What You Need to Know

**Executive Summary:** This article summarizes DoD's CMMC 2.0 framework—its three-tiered certification model (Level 1 basic cyber hygiene, Level 2 for Controlled Unclassified Information aligned to NIST SP 800-171, and an anticipated Level 3 for advanced protections), assessment requirements, implementation via contracts, and expected timing for formal rulemaking—then outlines practical steps (NIST 800-171 assessment, system security plan, POA&M, remediation, and maintenance) and recommends considering third-party managed security services to accelerate and sustain compliance.