Both CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53 serve as vital tools for organizations working with the federal government, yet they cater to different sectors and possess unique characteristics tailored to their specific needs. 

Understanding the distinctions and overlaps between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53 is crucial for organizations navigating federal contracts and ensuring compliance with stringent cybersecurity requirements.

Whether you’re a defense contractor trying to figure out how to get certified or a private sector organization looking to bolster your cybersecurity posture, we’ll help you understand which framework might be the right fit for your needs.

What is CMMC 2.0?

CMMC 2.0, or the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0, is a set of rules and standards created to help protect information within the defense industry. The standard is all about making sure that companies working with the DoD are doing everything they can to protect important and sensitive information from cyber threats.

CMMC 2.0 has three levels of cybersecurity requirements that companies need to meet, depending on the sensitivity of the information they're handling. The higher the level, the stricter the security measures you need to have in place.

For example, a basic level might require you to have good password practices and basic firewalls, while a higher level would need more advanced protections like regular security assessments and incident response plans.

The main goals of CMMC 2.0 are:

• Protect sensitive information: The primary goal is to make sure that any information shared with defense contractors, especially Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), is kept secure and away from unauthorized access.
• Standardize cybersecurity practices: CMMC 2.0 aims to create a consistent set of cybersecurity standards that all defense contractors need to follow. This helps ensure that everyone is on the same page and maintaining a minimum level of security.
• Reduce risk: By requiring companies to follow these cybersecurity practices, the DoD hopes to reduce the overall risk of cyber threats and attacks that could compromise national security.
• Ensure compliance: CMMC 2.0 includes a certification process to verify that companies are actually following these practices. This helps to ensure that contractors are not just saying they have good security, but actually proving it through an assessment.
• Adapt to evolving threats: The model is designed to be flexible and update over time, so it can adapt to new and emerging cybersecurity threats, ensuring ongoing protection for defense information.

What is NIST 800-53?

NIST 800-53, officially titled "Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations," is a publication by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It provides a catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations (except those related to national security).

The purpose of NIST 800-53 is to ensure that appropriate security and privacy controls are selected and implemented to protect sensitive information assets from a diverse set of threats, including hostile attacks, natural disasters, structural failures, and human error.

NIST 800-53 is widely used not only by federal agencies but also by private sector businesses and other organizations looking to implement security and privacy best practices. It also plays a critical role in the NIST Risk Management Framework (NIST RMF) and helps organizations comply with various regulatory requirements.

Key components of NIST 800-53 include:

1. Impact levels: NIST 800-53 categorizes systems into three impact levels based on the potential severity of a potential security breach. Low impact, where a breach would have a limited adverse effect, involves foundational security measures and controls. Moderate impact, where a breach could have a serious adverse effect, involves more rigorous security measures, suitable for systems handling sensitive information that requires a higher level of protection. High impact, where a breach could have severe or catastrophic adversarial effects, applies stringent security controls to protect systems that handle highly sensitive or mission-critical information.
2. Security controls: A detailed catalog of controls that address various aspects of security for information systems.
3. Control families: These controls are organized into families, such as Access Control (AC), Incident Response (IR), and Risk Assessment (RA), among others. Each family contains controls related to a specific aspect of security or privacy.
4. Control baselines: Predefined sets of controls that provide a starting point for tailoring security and privacy controls to meet specific organizational needs.
5. Tailoring guidance: Instructions on how to customize the control baselines to meet the unique needs of an organization.
6. Assessment procedures: Guidelines for evaluating the effectiveness of the controls.

Does CMMC replace NIST 800-53?

No, CMMC 2.0 does not replace NIST 800-53. In fact, they are two totally different frameworks.

NIST 800-53 provides a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations — over 1,000 controls across 20 control families in Revision 5. It’s used broadly across various federal agencies and private sector organizations for implementing strong security and privacy practices. 

CMMC 2.0, on the other hand, is specifically designed for contractors and subcontractors working within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It leverages a subset of NIST 800-53 controls, based on NIST 800-171, designed to protect CUI and FCI throughout the DoD supply chain. An organization that is fully compliant with NIST 800-53 is likely also compliant with CMMC 2.0. 

CMMC 2.0 does incorporate elements from NIST 800-53, specifically controls relevant to the protection of CUI and FCI. It also aligns closely with NIST SP 800-171, which is a subset of NIST 800-53 tailored for non-federal systems handling CUI. But while NIST 800-53 provides a broad framework for security and privacy controls applicable across various sectors, CMMC 2.0 provides a specific mechanism for defense contractors to certify compliance with DoD requirements.

How to decide which type of compliance you need:

• Who are your clients? If you provide services to any federal agencies, you may be required to implement the controls outlined in NIST 800-53. If your organization handles CUI or FCI related to DoD contracts, you are required to comply with CMMC 2.0. If your organization has contracts with both the DoD and other federal agencies, you may need to comply with both sets of standards.
• Do you use shared systems? If you use shared IT systems to handle both DoD-related and other federal information, you will need to ensure compliance with both frameworks to protect all types of data.

Key similarities between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53

CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53 are similar in a few key ways, even though they’re designed for slightly different purposes. Think of them as two different recipes for making the same dish—they both aim to create a secure environment but are tailored to different types of organizations.

Control frameworks

First, both CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53 are designed to protect sensitive information against threats like hacking, data breaches, and other cyber threats. To that end, both frameworks give you a list of security controls for protecting information. For example, they both might tell you to use strong passwords, regularly update your software, and monitor your systems for suspicious activity. These controls are grouped into families or categories that cover different aspects of security, like access control, incident response, and risk management. 

Risk management

NIST 800-53 and CMMC both emphasize the importance of assessing risks. This means regularly looking at what could go wrong and how bad it would be if it did. By understanding the risks, you can better prepare and protect against them.

Implementation flexibility

Both frameworks allow some flexibility in how you implement the controls. They understand that not all organizations are the same, so they provide guidance on how to tailor the controls to fit your specific needs.

Compliance and verification

Both CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53 include ways to verify that organizations are actually following requirements. This might involve self-assessments, third-party audits, or formal certifications to ensure that all the necessary security measures are in place and working correctly.

Continuous improvement

Both standards recognize that security is not a check-the-box initiative. Threats evolve, and so should your security measures. Both frameworks encourage continuous monitoring and improvement of your security practices to stay ahead of new threats.

Key differences between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53

While CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53 share important commonalities, they are not identical frameworks. Each standard is designed to serves a different purpose. Let’s break down the key differences between the two standards to better understand which one is the right choice for your organization. 

Purpose

CMMC 2.0 is specifically designed for companies that want to do business with the Department of Defense (DoD). NIST 800-53 has a broader application. It’s meant for all federal agencies and any organization that handles federal information systems. 

Certification process

CMMC 2.0: Certification is mandatory for CMMC 2.0. If you want to win DoD contracts, you must get certified at the required level either through a self-assessment, an external assessment by an accredited third party, or an assessment conducted by the DoD. Level 1 self-assessment results must be submitted along with an annual affirmation by a senior company official into the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). No certification, no contract—simple as that. 

NIST 800-53 does not have a specific certification process like CMMC nor is an audit required. Instead, you implement the controls and regularly check to make sure they’re working. Audits are certainly recommended for NIST 800-53, but not needed as many organization’s simply use it as best practice guidelines.

Type of information 

CMMC 2.0 focuses on protecting CUI and FCI within the defense sector. It’s tailored to the unique needs and threats faced by defense contractors and subcontractors. NIST 800-53 covers a wider range of information types and threats. It’s designed to be flexible and applicable to various federal systems and environments, not just the Defense Industrial Base.

Updates and evolution

CMMC 2.0 is relatively new and is still evolving as it makes its way through the rulemaking process. The CMMC proposed rule was submitted by the DoD in December 2023, and the public comment period closed in February 2024. Rulemaking is expected to be completed by November 2024. 

NIST 800-53 has been around since 2005 and is well-established, with its most recent update to Revision 5 coming in 2020. While the standard gets periodic updates to stay current with the latest threats and technologies, organizations have been using it for years.

While both frameworks aim to enhance information security within the US federal government, CMMC 2.0 is specifically for the defense sector with a focus on certification, whereas NIST 800-53 is broader, providing detailed controls for various federal agencies without a mandatory certification process.

CMMC 2.0 vs NIST 800-53: Choosing the right framework

The main factor when deciding between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53 is your client base and contract specifications. Are you dealing with DoD contracts, or are you working with other federal agencies?

If your company wants to do business with the DoD or plans to expand into defense contracting, then CMMC 2.0 is the way to go.

If you’re working with other federal agencies outside the DoD, NIST 800-53 might be what you need. It’s broader and applies to a wider range of federal information systems. If your organization has contracts with both the DoD and other federal agencies, you might need to comply with both CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800-53.

You’ll also need to assess your current contractual obligations and ensure you’re meeting any immediate requirements under NIST 800-171. Pay special attention to any deadlines specified in your contracts for achieving compliance with either framework. You can then prioritize based on which deadline is sooner or which contract is more critical for your business.