Thursday, June 26, 2025

How CMMI can help with CMMC (and ISO) adoption

How CMMI V3.0 Could Help You Conquer CMMC V2.0 (Without Losing Your Sanity)

* Disclaimer: Jeff Dalton is a board member at CyberAB, and is precluded from delivering CMMC-related services for a period of 2 years after his term has ended.  Broadsword neither sells nor markets CMMC services.


Struggling to maintain all of your government CERTS?

Okay, folks. Imagine this: You’ve just heard that the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) V2.0 is the latest must-have accessory for any defense contractor or supplier who wants to stay in the game. You might be thinking, “How do I make this work with all the other processes and certifications I already have?” Enter CMMI V3.0—the superhero of process improvement, here to help you survive this new world of cybersecurity compliance, without turning into a stressed-out puddle of nerves.

Here’s how CMMI could help you implement CMMC V2.0 like a pro—without the crying and hair-pulling.


1. Aligning Business and Cybersecurity: Because Who Wants to Juggle Two Different Worlds?

  • CMMI V3.0: This guy is all about linking process improvements to business outcomes like customer satisfaction, productivity, and those mythical things we call "efficiency."

  • CMMC V2.0: This one’s a bit more intense. Based on NIST 800-171, It’s got your back when it comes to safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). No one's stealing your secrets, buddy.

How CMMI V3.0 Can Help: Wouldn't it be nice if you didn’t have to choose between your business goals and cybersecurity? CMMI V3.0 can help you connect the dots between the two. It’s like setting up a dating profile for your business and cybersecurity goals. “Looking for mutual understanding, growth, and lots of collaboration.” CMMC's cybersecurity goals would seamlessly integrate into your broader strategy without breaking a sweat. Romantic, right?


2. Scalable Maturity Models: Because We All Want to Get Better, but Not Overnight

  • CMMI V3.0: Offers five levels of maturity, from “meh” to “wow, look at you go!” It’s a process of gradual improvement, one awkward baby step at a time.

  • CMMC V2.0: Same deal, but three levels—everything from “basic hygiene” (no, not THAT hygiene) to “advanced security practices” (aka your cybersecurity is so tight even James Bond would be impressed).

How CMMI V3.0 Can HelpCMMI V3.0 would let these two frameworks walk hand-in-hand, like an ideal couple. As your organization matures in CMMI, you can simultaneously level up your CMMC compliance. It’s like getting a gym buddy who shows up every day. Together, you’ll get stronger, more secure, and less likely to collapse in a heap.


3. Integrated Governance: For When Your Company Needs a Little “Tough Love”

  • CMMI V3.0: Governance is all about creating clear, documented processes and making sure everyone is following the rules. It’s like having a really strict librarian who checks over your shoulder to make sure you’re reading the right book.

  • CMMC V2.0: Requires you to establish strict governance over your cybersecurity efforts too. No, this doesn’t mean you get to be the "cybersecurity sheriff" at the office (but imagine the badge!).

How CMMI V3.0 Can Help: Imagine having the ultimate “cybersecurity watchdog” at your disposal. With CMMI V3.0, you get shiny new tools—like real-time dashboards and audit trails—that help keep track of all your compliance activities without breaking a sweat. No more scrambling through piles of paper or scrolling through endless email chains trying to prove you’ve got your act together.


4. Process Improvement for Cybersecurity: Because Even Cybersecurity Needs a Tune-Up

  • CMMI V3.0: This model is about making things work better. Think: better risk management, incident management, and configuration management. It’s like fixing up an old car—just with more spreadsheets.

  • CMMC V2.0: It’s the fancy new sports car that needs to be carefully maintained with precise cybersecurity practices. If something’s off, you’ll know it!

How CMMI V3.0 Can Help: You don’t need to treat CMMC like some separate thing. CMMI V3.0 would help you integrate cybersecurity directly into your everyday process improvement. It’s like having a mechanic who can not only fix the engine but also make sure it’s well-oiled for maximum performance. Incident management? Risk assessment? Check and check. You’ve got it all covered!


5. Documentation and Evidence: Because You Can’t Just Say You Did It (Spoiler: You Have to Prove It)

  • CMMI 3.0: We all know that good documentation is key—plans, procedures, metrics. Without it, you’re just a business without a paper trail. And that’s basically like being a superhero without a cape.

  • CMMC V2.0: You gotta document everything. Every incident response. Every access log. Every cybersecurity procedure, like you're preparing for a NASA mission.

How CMMI V3.0 Can Help: Imagine if CMMI V3.0 made documentation as easy as taking a selfie. (Okay, maybe not that easy, but close.) By helping you integrate cybersecurity documentation with your regular process improvement docsCMMI V3.0 would make it a breeze to collect and organize the evidence you need for CMMC audits. No more scrambling at the last minute. You’ll look like the most organized person in the room. You're welcome!


6. Employee Training and Awareness: Because You Can’t Just Tell People, You Gotta Show Them

  • CMMI V3.0: Employee training is crucial. It’s like teaching your team the secret sauce of success—processes that everyone needs to follow to improve the company.

  • CMMC V2.0: If you think employee training for CMMI is tough, try training them in cybersecurity. We’re talking about protecting CUI, not the company coffee machine.

How CMMI V3.0 Can Help: Instead of making training feel like a boring lecture on a Friday afternoon, CMMI V3.0 could offer training modules that help employees learn about cybersecurity while also mastering process improvement. It’s a win-win—your team gets smarter about both CMMI and CMMC without the pain of attending yet another workshop.


7. Real-Time Monitoring and Feedback: So You Don’t Have to Guess How You’re Doing

  • CMMI V2.0: Gives you feedback in real-time, so you’re not left in the dark wondering how your process improvements are progressing.

  • CMMC V2.0: Requires you to constantly monitor cybersecurity efforts. Yes, it’s a lot of work, but think of it like a fitness tracker for your organization.

How CMMI V3.0 Can Help: With CMMI V3.0, you can track both your process maturity and your cybersecurity compliance in real time. It’s like having a GPS for your business—except it doesn't just tell you where you’re going, it tells you how fast you’re going, how much fuel you have left, and if you’ve passed the last exit for “Cybersecurity Best Practices.”


8. Integrating Cybersecurity and Risk Management: Because Cybersecurity Isn't Just a "Side Job" Anymore

  • CMMI V2.0 Risk Management: Think of CMMI as the thoughtful planner who sits down and evaluates risks from every angle—so nothing surprises you later.

  • CMMC V2.0 Risk Management: Requires a similar, but more intense, focus on cybersecurity risks—except now you have to be prepared for potential hackers and cyber threats that could derail your entire operation.

How CMMI V3.0 Can Help: With CMMI V3.0, you can bring your cybersecurity risk management into the broader enterprise-wide risk management framework. It’s like upgrading from a bicycle to a rocket ship. You’ll handle cybersecurity risks AND general business risks with the grace of a ballet dancer on roller skates.


Conclusion: CMMI V3.0—Your Ultimate Sidekick for Conquering CMMC V2.0

While CMMI V2.0 has already done wonders for organizations looking to implement CMMC V2.0, the potential of CMMI V3.0 could make the whole process feel less like a battle and more like a well-choreographed dance. With improved tools, real-time monitoring, and integrated frameworks, CMMI V3.0 can help you embrace CMMC compliance with open arms. And, let’s face it, in today’s world of cybersecurity, that’s about as close to superhero status as you’ll get.

So, strap in, folks. The future of CMMC V2.0 and CMMI V3.0 is looking brighter—and much less stressful—than ever before.

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