CMMC assessor training expected in late summer
The professional training needed to carry out assessments for the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard for contractors won't kick off until later this summer.
Professional training needed to carry out assessments for the Defense Department's unified cybersecurity standard for contractors won't kick off until later this summer, according to an official for the organization overseeing the process.
"I know many of you are eager to learn of when the CMMC ecosystem will kick into full operational gear. I will say this―we are getting close," Matt Travis, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body's CEO, wrote in a memo accompanying an an updated frequently-asked-questions document.
The much-needed training won't be available until "mid-to-late summer," when classes needed for the training are expected to be authorized.
The board confirmed in its update that only one organization that's a candidate to be a certified third party assessment organization (C3PAO) was "successfully assessed" at Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center's maturity level 3 and that "several more are in process for being assessed." Only 40% of C3PAO applications have been processed to date.
The new FAQs aim to dispel what it characterizes as misconceptions or rumors about issues from the organization's funding to their application status to be a non-profit. But the standout updates revolve around timelines. For example, the CMMC's licensed software provider program is in development and slated to roll out later this year.
The announcement also highlighted the governing body's plans to become an International Standards Organization (ISO) accreditation body by the end of fiscal year 2022. This certification is a mandatory part of the organization's contract with DOD.
The AB also noted that it would release a permanent marketplace portal later this year.
The announcement comes amid staff changes at the CMMC-AB surrounding its training leadership. Melanie Kyle Gingrich stepped into the role as the AB's training and education lead, overseeing daily operations in early May.
This article first appeared on FCW, a Defense Systems partner site.