CMMC Level 5 Essentials: What You Need to Know
CMMC level 5 requires defense contractors to standardize and optimize their process implementation at an advanced manner organization-wide. Building on the proactive approach in level 4, level 5 puts focus on the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) from Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). The additional controls, practices and processes deliver a deeper and more sophisticated cybersecurity posture.
What Is CMMC Level 5?
Level 5 is considered an advanced or progressive cyber security posture, and seeks to reduce the risk of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). APTs, often nation states or state-sponsored groups, utilize sophisticated expertise along with extensive resources, allowing them to continually attack security networks using multiple and varying attack vectors including physical and cyber security as well as deception techniques.
How Does A Level 5 Certification Compare With Level 4?
While both level 4 and level 5 certifications require significantly more security vigilance on part of the defense contractor than level 3, level 5 takes on a more advanced posture of proactive scanning and mitigation of APTs. In addition to implementing and reviewing more sophisticated security controls and processes, level 5 also requires the ongoing management and optimization of those processes to protect against continually evolving threat actors.