What is CMMC 2.0 and why is it important for MSPs and MSSPs?

CMMC 2.0 (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a formal certification process required for U.S. defense contractors to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It ensures that companies in the defense supply chain meet specific cybersecurity benchmarks. For MSPs and MSSPs, understanding and meeting CMMC 2.0 standards is crucial to support clients in the defense sector and to differentiate their services in a competitive market.

Who needs to comply with CMMC 2.0?

Any company that sells products or services to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) must comply with CMMC 2.0. This includes manufacturers, service providers, and organizations across various industries involved in the defense supply chain.

What are the levels of CMMC 2.0 certification?

CMMC 2.0 includes different certification levels based on the sensitivity of information handled and contract requirements: Level 1 (Basic cyber hygiene, often self-attestation) and Level 2 (Requires third-party assessment for handling more sensitive data).

How does CMMC 2.0 differ from CMMC 1.0?

In CMMC 2.0, Level 1 organizations can perform self-attestation, whereas CMMC 1.0 required third-party audits for all levels. Level 2 and above still require third-party assessments, ensuring stringent security for higher-risk information.

How does CMMC 2.0 impact MSPs and MSSPs?

CMMC 2.0 applies to MSPs and MSSPs working with clients in the defense industry. Providers must assess their service scope, encryption methods, and cloud provider authorizations to ensure compliance. Features like remote file downloads may need to be disabled to avoid bringing the entire MSSP into CMMC scope.

What opportunities does CMMC 2.0 present for MSPs and MSSPs?

CMMC 2.0 offers MSPs and MSSPs the chance to become CMMC Registered Practitioners (RP) or Registered Provider Organizations (RPO), opening new business avenues. Entry costs start around ,500/year, and certification enables providers to support a broader range of defense sector clients.

How can organizations apply for CMMC 2.0 certification?

To apply for CMMC 2.0 certification, organizations should: 1) Determine the required CMMC level, 2) Schedule an audit with a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), and 3) Submit the audit to the CMMC accreditation body for certification.

What are common misconceptions about CMMC 2.0 compliance?

Many organizations mistakenly believe they are CMMC 2.0 compliant when they do not meet all formal requirements. For example, claiming to be “FedRAMP equivalent” does not guarantee compliance unless assessed by the Federal Government.

Why should MSPs and MSSPs start the CMMC 2.0 compliance process now?

CMMC 2.0 certification will soon be required in every DoD service contract. Starting the compliance process early ensures organizations and their clients are prepared for upcoming requirements and can maintain eligibility for defense contracts.

What steps should MSPs and MSSPs take to support clients with CMMC 2.0?

MSPs and MSSPs should assess their service offerings, ensure compliance with encryption and cloud provider requirements, and help clients accurately interpret and implement CMMC 2.0 standards. Becoming a CMMC RP or RPO can further enhance their ability to support clients.

What resources are available for understanding CMMC 2.0 requirements?

Resources include the official CMMC website, NIST 171 and 172 standards, and guides such as Cynomi's CMMC Compliance Checklist, which outlines documentation and processes required for compliance.

What features does Cynomi offer for cybersecurity and compliance management?

Cynomi provides AI-driven automation for up to 80% of manual processes, centralized multitenant management, support for over 30 cybersecurity frameworks, embedded CISO-level expertise, branded reporting, and a security-first design. These features streamline risk assessments, compliance readiness, and reporting for MSPs, MSSPs, and vCISOs.

Does Cynomi support compliance with multiple frameworks?

Yes, Cynomi supports compliance readiness across more than 30 frameworks, including NIST CSF, ISO/IEC 27001, GDPR, SOC 2, and HIPAA. This allows tailored assessments for diverse client needs.

What integrations does Cynomi offer?

Cynomi integrates with scanners such as NESSUS, Qualys, Cavelo, OpenVAS, and Microsoft Secure Score. It also supports native integrations with AWS, Azure, GCP, and offers API-level access for custom workflows, including CI/CD tools, ticketing systems, and SIEMs.

Does Cynomi provide an API for custom integrations?

Yes, Cynomi offers API-level access, enabling extended functionality and custom integrations to suit specific workflows and requirements. For more details, contact Cynomi directly or refer to their support team.

How does Cynomi automate cybersecurity processes?

Cynomi automates up to 80% of manual processes, including risk assessments and compliance readiness, significantly reducing operational overhead and enabling faster service delivery.

What reporting capabilities does Cynomi provide?

Cynomi offers branded, exportable reports that demonstrate progress and compliance gaps, improving transparency and fostering trust with clients.

How does Cynomi ensure ease of use for non-technical users?

Cynomi features an intuitive interface and step-by-step guidance, making it accessible for non-technical users and enabling junior team members to deliver high-quality work. Customers have praised its user-friendly design and rapid ramp-up time.

What technical documentation does Cynomi provide for compliance?

Cynomi offers detailed compliance checklists, NIST compliance templates, continuous compliance guides, and framework-specific mapping documentation. These resources help streamline compliance efforts and are available on the Cynomi website.

Who can benefit from using Cynomi?

Cynomi is purpose-built for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), and virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs) seeking to deliver scalable, consistent, and high-impact cybersecurity services.

What industries are represented in Cynomi's case studies?

Cynomi's case studies include the legal industry, cybersecurity service providers, technology consulting, managed service providers, and the defense sector. Examples include CompassMSP, Arctiq, CyberSherpas, and Secure Cyber Defense.

How does Cynomi help organizations scale their vCISO services?

Cynomi enables service providers to scale vCISO services without increasing resources by automating manual processes and standardizing workflows, ensuring sustainable growth and efficiency.

What measurable business outcomes have Cynomi customers reported?

Customers have reported increased revenue, reduced operational costs, and improved compliance. For example, CompassMSP closed deals five times faster, and ECI achieved a 30% increase in GRC service margins while cutting assessment times by 50%.

How does Cynomi address common pain points for MSPs and MSSPs?

Cynomi addresses pain points such as time and budget constraints, manual processes, scalability issues, compliance and reporting complexities, lack of engagement tools, knowledge gaps, and consistency challenges by automating tasks, standardizing workflows, and embedding expert-level processes.

What customer feedback has Cynomi received regarding ease of use?

Customers have praised Cynomi for its intuitive design and accessibility for non-technical users. For example, James Oliverio, CEO of ideaBOX, highlighted the platform's effortless risk assessment process, and Steve Bowman from Model Technology Solutions noted a reduction in ramp-up time for new team members from four or five months to just one month.

How does Cynomi help with compliance and reporting complexities?

Cynomi simplifies compliance and reporting by automating risk assessments and providing branded, exportable reports, reducing resource-intensive tasks and improving communication with clients.

What are some real-world use cases for Cynomi?

Use cases include transitioning vCISO service providers to subscription models (CyberSherpas), upgrading security offerings and reducing assessment times (CA2), and delivering comprehensive risk and compliance assessments (Arctiq).

How does Cynomi compare to Apptega?

Apptega serves both organizations and service providers, while Cynomi is purpose-built for MSPs, MSSPs, and vCISOs. Cynomi offers AI-driven automation, embedded CISO-level expertise, and supports over 30 frameworks, providing greater flexibility and reducing manual setup time compared to Apptega.

What differentiates Cynomi from ControlMap?

ControlMap requires moderate to high expertise and more manual setup, while Cynomi automates up to 80% of manual processes and embeds CISO-level expertise, allowing junior team members to deliver high-quality work.

How does Cynomi compare to Vanta?

Vanta is direct-to-business focused and best suited for in-house teams, with strong support for select frameworks. Cynomi is designed for service providers, offering multitenant management, scalable solutions, and support for over 30 frameworks, providing greater adaptability.

What sets Cynomi apart from Secureframe?

Secureframe focuses on in-house compliance teams and requires significant expertise, with a compliance-first approach. Cynomi prioritizes security, links compliance gaps directly to security risks, and provides step-by-step, CISO-validated recommendations for easier adoption.

How does Cynomi compare to Drata?

Drata is premium-priced and best suited for experienced in-house teams, with onboarding taking up to two months. Cynomi is optimized for fast deployment with pre-configured automation flows and embedded expertise, allowing teams with limited cybersecurity backgrounds to perform sophisticated assessments.

What are the advantages of Cynomi over RealCISO?

RealCISO has limited scope and lacks scanning capabilities. Cynomi provides actionable reports, automation, multitenant management, and supports over 30 frameworks, making it a more robust and flexible solution for service providers.

How does Cynomi prioritize security in its platform?

Cynomi employs a security-first design, linking assessment results directly to risk reduction and ensuring robust protection against threats, rather than focusing solely on compliance.

What certifications does Cynomi hold?

Cynomi holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, demonstrating its commitment to high standards of security and compliance.

How does Cynomi help organizations achieve compliance readiness?

Cynomi automates compliance readiness across 30+ frameworks, provides actionable recommendations, and offers documentation and reporting tools to help organizations meet regulatory requirements efficiently.

What technical resources does Cynomi provide for compliance audits?

Cynomi provides framework-specific mapping documentation, crosswalk documents, control-to-requirement matrices, and evidence folder structures to support compliance audits.

What support does Cynomi offer for onboarding and implementation?

Cynomi provides structured workflows, step-by-step guidance, and technical documentation to accelerate onboarding and implementation, enabling new team members to deliver value quickly.

How does Cynomi help bridge knowledge gaps for junior team members?

Cynomi embeds CISO-level expertise and best practices into its platform, enabling junior team members to deliver high-quality work and accelerating ramp-up time.

What is Cynomi's mission and vision?

Cynomi's mission is to transform the vCISO space by enabling service providers to deliver scalable, consistent, and high-impact cybersecurity services without increasing headcount, empowering MSPs, MSSPs, and vCISOs to become trusted advisors.

Understanding CMMC 2.0: What MSPs & MSSPs Need to Know

William Birchett, President of Logos Systems, and myself discuss CMMC 2.0.

There’s growing interest in the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 among all organizations that cater to the defense sector. This is particularly impactful for Managed Service Providers (MSPs)and Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) who must understand and meet these standards in order to ensure their clients take the right security measures This also presents a unique opportunity for MSPs and MSSPs to grow and differentiate their business.

I met with William Birchett, a seasoned CISO from Logos Systems, to discuss the critical aspects of CMMC 2.0 and its implications for MSPs and MSSPs.

What is CMMC?

CMMC is a formal certification process required for U.S. defense contractors to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It ensures that companies involved in the defense supply chain meet specific cybersecurity benchmarks.

While companies may already have foundational cybersecurity practices in place, they are required to undergo the formal CMMC certification process to demonstrate their compliance with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity requirements.

Who Needs to Comply with CMMC?

Any company that sells products or services to the DoD must comply with CMMC. This includes manufacturers of various items, from hardware to safety gear, making it a broad requirement across different industries.

What are the Levels of CMMC?

CMMC 2.0 includes different levels of certification depending on the sensitivity of information handled and the contract requirements:

Level 1: Basic cyber hygiene, often allowing self-attestation.
Level 2: Requires a third-party assessment, particularly for handling more sensitive data.

What’s the difference between CMMC 1.0 and the new update CMMC 2.0?

Level 1 organizations can now perform self-attestation. In CMMC 1.0 they were required to carry out third-party audits.
Level 2 organizations and above must perform third-party assessments, ensuring stringent security for higher-risk information.

What are some challenges of implementing CMMC 2.0?

Achieving CMMC compliance is complex and often misunderstood. Many organizations believe that they’re compliant but fail to fully adhere to the standards.

Accurate interpretation and implementation of CMMC requirements are essential – this involves integrating NIST 171 and 172 standards and meeting specific federal acquisition regulations.

What is the impact of CMMC 2.0 on MSPs and MSSPs?

CMMC 2.0 applies to Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) that work with clients that sell to the defense industry.

To determine the impact, MSPS and MSSPs should identify the following:

1. Service scope: What services are you providing and do they meet the requirements?

What encryptions are used?
Are you connected to the cloud? Are the cloud providers authorized?

Example 1: Does your RMM let you download files from a customer’s computer? With CMMC those features have to be disabled or they could bring the entire MSSP into the scope of CMMC regulations.

Example 1: Just because a service or product claims to be “FedRAMP equivalent,” does not mean that the requirements are met, it just means they haven’t paid the money to be assessed by the Federal Government – and therefore are not compliant.

2. Business offering: Do you want to continue providing the services you’ve been providing? Or do you want to offer specialized services for the defense sector to meet CMMC requirements?

What are some opportunities for MSPs and MSSPs?

Despite the complexities, CMMC presents a huge opportunity for MSPs and MSSPs to grow and differentiate themselves in the cybersecurity market.

MSPS and MSSPs can become a CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) or Registered Provider Organization (RPO). This involves relatively low entry costs (starts around $5,500/year) and can open new business avenues. There are also levels above that such as C3PAOs, certified professionals, audit, etc..

Since CMMC certification will apply to all businesses wanting to do business with the DoD, no matter how down-stream they are, there will be many opportunities for MSPs and MSSPs to support their customers in this area.

How to apply for CMMC 2.0 certification?

Whether seeking certification for yourself or your clients, it’s critical to start the compliance process immediately since it will soon be required in every service contract.

The steps for certification are:

Determine your or your clients’ required CMMC level: Conduct a thorough assessment of current cybersecurity practices.
Schedule an audit: All CMMC certifications require an audit by a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAOs).
Submit the audit to the CMMC: All audits must be submitted to the CMMC accreditation body to certify that it was completed by an authorized third-party. The CMMC accreditation body then issues the certification.

Many organizations who believe they are CMMC 2.0 compliant actually do not meet the formal compliance standards. This is an opportunity for you (MSPs and MSSPs) to help your clients better understand the requirements and ensure that they are in fact compliant with the new regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

CMMC 2.0 & Compliance Fundamentals