What is CMMC or Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification?

cybersecurity providers in Los Angeles that help with CMMC compliance

Imagine waking up to discover that cybercriminals hacked your company’s confidential information. The impact of cyber attacks can be devastating. It’s a growing threat that businesses can’t afford to ignore.

In this article, we’ll examine the role of cybersecurity and CMMC compliance. We will look at how IT support companies and managed IT services in Los Angeles can help you.

By the end of this article, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how these services work. You’ll learn how they can help safeguard your business.

What Is Cybersecurity?

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity has become more important than before. Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting computer systems, and networks. It safeguards sensitive information from:

  • Unauthorized access
  • Theft
  • Damage

Hackers and cybercriminals use various tactics to gain access to sensitive information. These include:

Cybersecurity measures are necessary to prevent these attacks and keep data safe.

What is Cybersecurity Compliance?

It requires adherence to specific regulations and standards.  They confirm the security of sensitive information. Compliance ensures organizations are taking the necessary steps to safeguard their data.

There are several reasons why cybersecurity compliance is necessary. Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated.

Organizations need to put in place robust security measures to protect against them. Compliance helps to maintain the trust of customers and stakeholders.

The consequences of non-compliance with cybersecurity measures can be severe. Data breaches can lead to the loss of sensitive information. This includes personal and financial data. It can result in:

  • Financial loss
  • Identity theft
  • Reputational damage

Non-compliance can also lead to legal consequences, such as:

  • Fines
  • Lawsuits
  • Criminal charges

CMMC Compliance

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a new standard. Organizations must follow it to ensure their systems are secure.

It requires adherence to specific cybersecurity standards. The United States Department of Defense (DoD) developed them.

The CMMC framework requires organizations to carry out a range of cybersecurity measures. They help to protect sensitive data.

CMMC Framework Explained

It is a five-level model that measures an organization’s cybersecurity readiness. Business IT services and security organizations must meet the standards for their level to become compliant.

The five levels are:

1 – Basic Cyber Hygiene

This level requires an organization to put in place basic cybersecurity measures. such as antivirus software and regular password changes. All DoD contractors must have it.

2 – Intermediate Cyber Hygiene

At this level organizations, must establish and document standardized cybersecurity practices and policies. It is also required for all DoD contractors.

3 – Good Cyber Hygiene

The organization must establish, maintain and have a “mature” cybersecurity program. Extra security controls are necessary to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

4 – Proactive

The organization needs to check if its cybersecurity practices and processes are working. This helps them find and respond to advanced cyber-attacks that are hard to detect.

5 – Advanced/Progressive

The organization must standardize and optimize its cybersecurity processes across the enterprise. They must enable rapid response to advanced persistent threats.

The CMMC framework includes a range of security controls, such as:

  • Access control
  • Incident response
  • Risk management

The framework includes a certification process.  It involves a third-party assessment of an organization’s cybersecurity practices.

Benefits of CMMC Compliance

CMMC compliance offers several benefits to organizations. It demonstrates to customers and stakeholders that the organization is serious about cybersecurity. It shows their commitment to protecting sensitive information.

This could lead to business opportunities, with the DoD and other government agencies. The CMMC framework can improve an organization’s cybersecurity posture.  It helps to reduce the risk of cyber threats.

How IT Support Companies Can Help With CMMC Compliance

Outsourced technical support companies provide exactly that: technical help and support to organizations. They help them manage their information technology infrastructure. They offer a range of services.

These include:

  • Software installation
  • Hardware maintenance
  • Network support

With the growing complexity of IT systems, many organizations need technical help. This ensures the smooth running of their systems.

Benefits of Outsourced Tech Support

An IT support company offers several benefits to organizations. They provide technical expertise and support. This allows organizations to focus on their core business operations.

They help organizations save money by identifying and addressing technical issues. This helps to prevent expensive problems. IT support companies provide proactive maintenance to prevent issues from occurring.

How Managed IT Services Help

Cybersecurity providers in Los Angeles help local businesses meet cybersecurity standards, such as CMMC compliance. They provide cybersecurity assessments to identify vulnerabilities. They recommend security measures to address them.

The company can also provide ongoing cybersecurity monitoring and support. This helps to guarantee that systems remain secure.

IT support companies offer employee training.  This helps organizations educate their staff on cybersecurity best practices. It includes training on how to:

  • Identify and prevent phishing attacks
  • Create strong passwords
  • Keep systems up to date with the latest security patches

Managed IT Services Provide More Than Just Tech Support

This is another approach to information technology management.  A third-party provider takes responsibility for managing an organization’s IT systems, business IT services provides:

  • Technical support
  • Hardware and software maintenance
  • Cybersecurity services

Small and medium-sized businesses may not have the resources for an in-house IT team. By outsourcing their IT needs, these businesses can focus on their core operations.

Benefits of a Los Angeles Managed Service Provider

If you work in Southern California, a local IT support team offers several benefits to businesses. They provide 24/7 technical support. This allows businesses to resolve IT issues with speed and efficiency.

They provide proactive maintenance, to prevent technical issues before they occur. Managed IT services can help businesses save money by reducing IT-related expenses.

How it Helps

Managed IT services in Los Angeles help businesses adhere to CMMC compliance standards. They provide regular security assessments.

It identifies vulnerabilities and recommends measures to address them. They can also provide ongoing cybersecurity monitoring to detect and prevent cyber threats.

Managed IT services help businesses put in place cybersecurity policies and procedures. This ensures compliance with industry regulations.

They provide employee training to educate staff on cybersecurity best practices. The training helps them recognize and respond to potential cyber threats.

Safeguard Your Business and Get Compliant

Cybersecurity has become a crucial part of business operations. Compliance measures shield your organization from ruinous and expensive cyber attacks.

When shopping for cybersecurity and compliance solutions, check out the Be Structured Technology Group. Our team of seasoned professionals has a commitment to keeping businesses secure.

We help you stay compliant in the evolving digital arena. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to learn more. Take the first step towards a future for your business that is secure and compliant.

About Chad Lauterbach

CEO at Be Structured Technology Group, Inc. a Los Angeles based provider of Managed IT Services for small business. I desire to help small businesses better utilize technology by assisting in high level planning to make sure that new systems will benefit them both operationally and financially. I am careful to implement and support systems using industry best practices.