CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) 2.0 is now the law of the land, and compliance is no longer optional for any organization handling federal contract information (FCI) or controlled unclassified information (CUI). As you undertake your journey towards CMMC 2.0 compliance, you’ll encounter a number of acronyms related to the professional certifications of the providers who help organizations to implement CMMC. Here’s a look at what those certifications mean and why they’re important.
Understanding the Acronyms:
CCP – Certified CMMC Professional
CCA – Certified CMMC Assessor
RP – Registered Practitioner
As you compare providers of CMMC consulting, there are several reasons why a CCP or CCA might be better suited for certain engagements than an RP. Here’s why:
Expertise and Certification:
- Higher Certification Standards: CCPs and CCAs have undergone rigorous training from a certified training partner and passed a certification exam, demonstrating a higher level of knowledge and competency in CMMC requirements and assessments. It can take 2-6 months to achieve CCP/CCA status and other certifications are required to qualify. RPs are required only to show basic knowledge and pay a fee. There are no prerequisites to attain RP status, which can be done in just a few hours.
- Formal Recognition by the CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB): CCPs and CCAs are officially certified by the CMMC-AB, ensuring their qualifications meet stringent standards. An RP designation demonstrates only that the holder possesses fundamental knowledge and has paid a fee in order to be listed on the marketplace.
- Assessment Knowledge: CCAs are specifically trained to conduct formal CMMC assessments. They must demonstrate an in-depth understanding of assessment methodologies and scoring. This is essential to guiding an organization’s path to compliance because implementation procedures can be viewed through the eyes of an assessor.
Compliance and Readiness:
- Deeper Understanding of CMMC Levels: CMMC compliance has three levels: Level 1 (Foundational), Level 2 (Advanced) and Level 3 (Expert). The level required of a given organization depends upon the sensitivity of the information being handled. CCPs and CCAs have detailed knowledge of the various CMMC levels, domains, and practices. They are better able to provide the precise guidance needed to reach the appropriate level of compliance.
- Proficiency in Gap Analysis: There is no ‘one size fits all’ solution to CMMC 2.0 certification, as each organization will have a unique set of gaps between its current cyber posture and the metrics needed to achieve compliance. CCPs and CCAs are better equipped to identify and address these compliance gaps, ensuring organizations are fully prepared for official assessments.
- Hands-on Experience with CMMC Controls: CCPs and CCAs are more experienced in interpreting and implementing specific CMMC practices and processes. CCAs, in particular, are authorized to lead formal assessments, making them essential for organizations seeking official certification.
Conclusion:
Choosing a CCP or CCA for CMMC consulting ensures organizations receive expert guidance, comprehensive compliance preparation, and strategic value, ultimately leading to higher confidence in achieving certification. When choosing a firm to guide your organization to compliance, ask if they have CCPs or CCAs on staff. It would also benefit you to ask who will lead the project for compliance and what their credentials are.
Ron Hill, Principal Consultant of Hill Tech Solutions, holds both CCP and CCA certifications. If you have questions about bringing your organization into CMMC 2.0 compliance, contact Hill Tech today.
