For businesses contracting with the Department of Defense (DoD), the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is mandatory. The framework ensures that companies handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) follow some security controls. However, Compliance can be costly, and most companies struggle to estimate the cost of the CMMC audit process.
The total cost of a CMMC audit depends on several essential factors, including the level of compliance required, the complexity of your IT setup, existing security gaps, auditors’ fees, and the ongoing cost of remaining compliant. These costs can quickly add up if poorly planned, creating a financial strain on businesses.
Fortunately, there are ways of reducing costs without sacrificing compliance necessities. Continue reading to learn more about factors that may impact your CMMC audit costs and how to save.
1. CMMC Level Requirements
There are three CMMC levels with progressively more restrictive security demands. The higher the level needed, the more expensive the audit due to the added security controls and complexity of the assessment.
Level 1 is the least advanced and only requires an annual self-assessment. This option is, therefore, the least expensive for organizations that do not process CUI. Level 2, required for companies that process CUI, involves a formal audit by a CMMC Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO), which brings significant costs. Level 3 is the most advanced, requires an assessment led by the government and is the most expensive and time-consuming.
Hence, companies should aim to achieve the minimum required level to avoid unnecessary compliance costs when preparing for a CMMC audit.
2. Organization Size & Complexity
The size and complexity of an organization’s IT infrastructure significantly affect the cost of a CMMC audit. Organizations with multiple locations, heterogeneous IT environments, or complex data processing requirements will have higher audit expenses.
Organizations with more IT assets require more extended periods for auditors to examine security controls. If an organization operates out of multiple locations, each site may need to be audited separately, contributing to labor and travel costs. Last, organizations utilizing a mix of cloud services, legacy systems, and on-premise systems will experience greater audit complexity, which, again, means greater cost.
In this case, consolidating and documenting your IT environment can simplify and reduce the cost of the audit process. Consolidating IT systems, standardizing security policies, and maintaining clear documentation can enable auditors to perform their audits more easily and quickly.
3. Readiness & Compliance Gaps
A firm’s readiness for the CMMC audit is a determining aspect of total cost. Remediation can be costly if there are significant security gaps or compliance issues. Firms that do not have weaknesses in line before the audit may face additional expenses for security enhancements, consulting, and follow-up audits.
Some of the most prevalent compliance gaps include inadequate security policies, weak access controls, unpatched software, and inadequate employee training. If these gaps aren’t closed in advance, businesses may incur costly remediation efforts to attain CMMC compliance.
4. Third-Party Auditor Fees
CMMC audits must be conducted by Certified Third-Party Assessor Organizations (C3PAOs), and their prices can vary greatly based on experience, reputation, and scope of assessment.
Most experienced C3PAOs have premium pricing, while newer firms may be less expensive. An audit is also charged according to the complexity of an organization’s IT environment—larger organizations with more enormous infrastructures will require more time and energy from auditors, which increases costs. There are also hidden fees from some C3PAOs, so it is necessary to review pricing models when selecting an auditor carefully.
5. Continuous Compliance Costs
CMMC compliance is not a one-time event. Organizations must maintain security controls, revise policies, and maintain ongoing compliance to retain certification. Failure to adhere to these can result in non-compliance, contract loss, or even costly reassessments.
Continuous compliance expenses include employee cybersecurity awareness training, software patches, security monitoring, and periodic self-assessments. Businesses must also be prepared for new security threats, requiring constant investment in cybersecurity.
Final thoughts
A CMMC audit’s price relies on factors such as compliance level, business size, readiness, auditors’ fees, and maintenance. Without planning, companies can be hit with unexpected costs that affect their bottom line. However, by being proactive, organizations can successfully control costs while being compliant. Businesses can save money by aiming for the lowest required CMMC level, consolidating their IT infrastructure, and using automation tools to manage ongoing compliance.
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