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Join us for a webinar on Thursday, March 20, 2025, as we discuss the critical role of construction management systems in meeting CMMC requirements.
UNDERSTANDING CMMC AND FEDRAMP
Why FedRAMP-Authorized Solutions Matter for CMMC Compliance
Choosing a FedRAMP-Authorized Construction Management Solution like ProjectTeam.com is essential for achieving seamless Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance.
Everything You Need To Know
Understanding the Basics of CMMC and FedRAMP
Get started with the fundamental principles and key differences between CMMC and FedRAMP.
Advantages of FedRAMP-Authorized Solutions
Learn more about how FedRAMP-Authorized solutions help you streamline CMMC compliance.
How to Choose a FedRAMP-Authorized Solution
Learn where to go to find the right solutions and how to evaluate different offerings.
The Next Steps Toward CMMC Compliance
Discover how the right technology partner will streamline your CMMC compliance efforts.
What is CMMC?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a framework developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to enhance the cybersecurity of handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) data. Depending on the level of security needed, contractors must comply with various controls based on NIST and other security standards.
The increase in cybersecurity threats to the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and inconsistent cybersecurity practices across the DIB led to the creation of the CMMC 1.0, which was finalized in 2020. Before the CMMC, information security practices varied widely among contractors, leading to compromised data and security breaches.
The DoD announced the release of CMMC 2.0 in November 2021 and will start to implement the new compliance standards in 2025. Contractors must now prepare for a phased implementation of CMMC 2.0, which involves three levels of compliance related to data sensitivity.
What is FedRAMP?
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud-based services. A FedRAMP Authorized SaaS platform has undergone rigorous security assessments to ensure it meets the highest federal cybersecurity standards.
As federal agencies moved from traditional software applications to cloud-based solutions, cloud service providers (CSPs) were required to prepare authorization packages for each agency they wanted to work with. However, those packages were inconsistent across agencies, resulting in an extreme amount of duplication and other manual work for the CSPs and the government.
FedRAMP was introduced in 2011 by the U.S. government to ensure all cloud services used by federal agencies have adequate security measures in place to protect government data. FedRAMP issues a consistent, standardized approach to make the authorization process more efficient and streamlined. With a "do once, user many times" framework, FedRAMP enables CSPs and federal agencies to reuse existing security assessments, saving them time and effort.
Source: https://www.fedramp.gov
Find ProjectTeam.com on the FedRAMP Marketplace here.
Similar to CMMC 2.0 outlined above, FedRAMP authorizations are grouped into three impact-level categorizations based on the sensitivity of the potential impact of data. However, while both CMMC and FedRAMP relate to cybersecurity standards for the U.S. federal government, they serve different purposes and target different sectors.
Comparing CMMC and FedRAMP
CMMC and FedRAMP are distinct frameworks designed to enhance cybersecurity but serve different purposes and apply to different aspects of government contracting. CMMC is specifically tailored for the DIB, ensuring that contractors and subcontractors have implemented adequate cybersecurity practices to protect CUI relevant to DoD contracts. CMMC requires organizations to meet various levels of cybersecurity maturity, from basic cyber hygiene to advanced security measures, depending on the sensitivity of the information handled.
On the other hand, FedRAMP focuses on the security of cloud services used by federal agencies. It provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services to ensure all federal data is securely stored, processed, and accessed in cloud environments. FedRAMP is mandatory for CSPs who want to offer their services to federal agencies, and it involves a rigorous accreditation process that includes a third-party assessment.
While CMMC and FedRAMP are separate and do not replace one another, they can be complementary. Contractors who are part of the DIB and use cloud solutions to store or process CUI will need to ensure that their cloud service providers meet FedRAMP standards and comply with CMMC requirements. This means that contractors should seek a cloud service that is both FedRAMP-authorized and capable of supporting the contractor's CMMC-level compliance.
For contractors navigating these requirements, it's important to understand both the scope and the specifics of each framework. While CMMC assesses a company's overall cybersecurity practices, FedRAMP focuses strictly on cloud services. Contractors must ensure that their entire IT infrastructure, including any cloud-based elements, meets the relevant requirements of the DoD and federal agencies. Keeping up with changes to these frameworks, such as CMMC model updates or new FedRAMP policies, is also key for maintaining compliance and securing federal contracts.
Sources and Credits
- Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP): https://www.fedramp.gov
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Overview: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/171/r3/final
- NIST 800-171 Guidelines: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/171/r3/final
FREE DOWNLOAD > DATASHEET
Expedite your journey to achieving CMMC
Contractors looking to meet CMMC requirements often find themselves navigating a sparse landscape of construction management solutions. Download our free guide to learn about ProjectTeam.com's FedRAMP-Authorized platform that provides a secure foundation for achieving CMMC certification, ensuring that your projects meet the rigorous federal security requirements.
Simplifies Compliance with CMMC Requirements
A FedRAMP-Authorized solution provider has already been assessed against federal security standards, many of which align with CMMC Level 2 and Level 3 requirements. This means your organization can inherit security controls from your SaaS provider, reducing the compliance burden.
Protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
Using a non-authorized cloud solution can put sensitive government data at risk. A FedRAMP-Authorized SaaS platform ensures CUI is stored, processed, and transmitted securely, meeting CMMC compliance standards for data protection.
Reduce the Risk of Cyber Threats
With a growing number of cyberattacks targeting government contractors, using a solution that is already vetted for federal security means your business benefits from advanced security measures like continuous monitoring, encryption for data at rest and in transit, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and incident response and audit logging.
Faster Certification Process
CMMC certification can be a complex process, requiring extensive documentation and security assessments. Since FedRAMP security controls overlap with CMMC, working with a FedRAMP-Authorized SaaS provider can accelerate the certification process, reducing time and costs.
Competitive Advantage for DoD Contracts
Many government contracts require both CMMC compliance and the use of FedRAMP-Authorized cloud services. By using a FedRAMP-Authorized solution, your business gains a competitive edge in securing DoD and federal contracts.
How To Choose a FedRAMP-Authorized Solution
When selecting a cloud solution for your CMMC compliance journey, consider the following:
✅ Check the FedRAMP Marketplace – Verify that the solution provider is officially listed as FedRAMP-Authorized.
✅ Ensure Compatibility with CMMC Requirements – Ask whether the SaaS platform aligns with NIST 800-171 and other CMMC standards.
✅ Look for Continuous Monitoring & Compliance Support – Your SaaS provider should offer security updates, documentation, and ongoing monitoring.
✅ Assess Scalability & Integration – Ensure the SaaS solution integrates with your existing IT infrastructure and supports future compliance needs.
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Do FedRAMP Controls Affect Solution Features?
Understanding how FedRAMP authorization affects product features is important for contractors when selecting solutions for government projects. Due to the rigorous and resource-intensive nature of achieving FedRAMP compliance, many vendors offer a "light version" of their solutions that meet the security requirements but might lack some of the features available in their full commercial versions. This approach helps vendors manage the cost and complexity of compliance, but it can also mean that the FedRAMP-authorized solution doesn’t include all the functionalities showcased on the vendor's main marketing web pages. Therefore, it’s critical for contractors to engage in detailed discussions with vendors to clarify which features are included in the FedRAMP-Authorized versions of their products. This ensures that the product complies with necessary security standards and meets operational needs.
ProjectTeam.com provides an exemplary model of how a software solution can maintain robust functionality across different versions while ensuring compliance. We offer both a commercial version and a government FedRAMP-Authorized version of our solution, which are based on the same core codebase. This consistency ensures that nearly all features available in the commercial environment are also present in the government version, barring any specific customizations or feature adjustments needed to meet stringent FedRAMP standards. For government contractors, this means that choosing ProjectTeam.com’s FedRAMP-Authorized solution does not require sacrificing functionality for security. Contractors using ProjectTeam.com can expect a seamless experience with comprehensive features in both versions, enabling efficient project management while adhering to federal cybersecurity regulations.
The Next Steps Toward CMMC Compliance
Achieving CMMC certification doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By leveraging a FedRAMP-Authorized solution like ProjectTeam.com, your business can strengthen security, reduce compliance costs, and accelerate the certification process—all while maintaining eligibility for high-value government contracts.
Ready to simplify your CMMC journey? Contact us today to learn how our FedRAMP-Authorized solution can help you achieve and maintain compliance with confidence.
TESTIMONIALS
Feedback and reviews from construction professionals
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PRINCIPAL
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