CMMC Certification Training Courses

• Learning Tree offers readiness workshops to assist DoD Contractors in their CMMC Certification journey.
• Reviewing NIST SP 800-171 and, if necessary, NIST SP 800-172 to align cybersecurity practices with CMMC Level 2 or 3.
• Conducting a gap assessment to identify areas needing improvement.
• Preparing for self-assessments or engaging a C3PAO if a third-party assessment is required.

Failure to comply with CMMC 2.0 could result in being ineligible for future DoD contracts, termination of existing contracts, and other contractual penalties. Ensuring compliance is critical to maintain eligibility within the defense supply chain.

Learning Tree offers private workshops that are designed to assist an organization in determining their compliance level as well as what they need to do to achieve the appropriate level of compliance.

There are 3 Levels as follows:

1. Level 1 – Basic Cyber Hygiene

• Requirements: seventeen practices aligned with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.204-21, which covers basic safeguarding requirements for Federal Contract Information (FCI).
• Goal: Protect FCI through basic cybersecurity practices, such as password protection and access controls.
• Assessment: Self-assessment

2. Level 2 – Intermediate Cyber Hygiene

• Requirements: 110 practices based on NIST SP 800-171 to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Goal: Implement more comprehensive security practices, including access control, incident response, and risk management, to safeguard CUI.
• Assessment: Third-party assessment required for organizations handling certain CUI; others may perform self-assessments.

3. Level 3 – Advanced/Proactive Cyber Hygiene

• Requirements: More than 110 practices, with additional controls drawn from NIST SP 800-172 for higher levels of cybersecurity.
• Goal: Implement the most stringent cybersecurity practices, including advanced threat detection, response, and incident recovery.
• Assessment: Government-led assessment (for defense contractors handling highly sensitive information).

• Assessors are first required to earn their CCP (CMMC Certified Practitioner) designation. Training is REQUIRED to earn the CCP, and Learning Tree offers the Certified Professional CMMC Training (CCP) training course. This training must be delivered by a CMMC LTP (Licensed Training Provider), of which Learning Tree was one of the first to be designated as an LTP. If someone takes the training from a company that is not an LTP, they will not be able to sit for the CCP exam.
• Once an assessor obtains their CCP, they will then proceed to obtain their CCA (CMMC Certified Assessor) designation. This is also obtained through REQUIRED training that is only delivered by CMMC ATPs (Approved Training Providers). Learning Tree offers the official training course, Certified CMMC Assessor Training (CCA).

The CMMC Program implementation date is 60 days after the publication of the final Title 48 CFR CMMC acquisition rule. CMMC assessment requirements will be implemented using a four-phase plan over three years. The phases add CMMC Level requirements incrementally, starting with self-assessments in Phase 1 and ending with full implementation of program requirements in Phase 4. This phased approach allows time to train assessors and companies to understand and implement CMMC assessment requirements.

Source: https://dodcio.defense.gov/cmmc/About/

Contractors at Level 1 and some Level 2 entities can self-assess their cybersecurity practices annually and submit self-assessment documentation instead of undergoing third-party assessments, depending on DoD contract requirements.

Learning Tree advises that organizations looking to self-assess attend the CCP and CCA training courses Certified Professional CMMC Training (CCP) and Certified CMMC Assessor Training (CCA). These training courses will provide self-assessing organizations with the knowledge and skills needed to appropriately assess their organization.

Companies heavily reliant on government contracts with DOD (as a prime contractor or subcontractor), getting in line early to avoid a resource issue with the availability of third-party assessors may be wise. Also, prime contractors may require compliance earlier than DOD.

CMMC will be applicable to every contract above the micro-purchase threshold (currently $10,000) that is not solely for commercial off-the-shelf products. As noted above, there is no exemption for small businesses. There are also no exemptions for contracts for commercial products and services. For businesses doing business with DOD, this will transform their compliance regime with respect to cybersecurity.