JISAR

Journal of Information Systems Applied Research

Volume 15

V15 N2 Pages 17-29

Jul 2022


Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Initial Impact on the Defense Industrial Base


Hala Strohmier
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC USA

Geoff Stoker
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC USA

Manoj Vanajakumari
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC USA

Ulku Clark
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC USA

Jeff Cummings
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC USA

Minoo Modaresnezhad
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, NC USA

Abstract: The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)) published the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework in January 2020. The CMMC is a major effort intended to strengthen the ability of Defense Industrial Base (DIB) members to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). In this article, we briefly recount the history of unclassified information handling in the U.S. Federal Government that led to the current situation and explain why the CMMC was created, what it is, and what it entails. Through a series of interviews with a convenience sample of current large and small DIB members, we explore some of the perceptions, perceived challenges, and expected impacts of the CMMC on the DIB. We also consider the chances that the CMMC will accomplish its intended goals and describe a planned future larger study of the CMMC effort and its effects on the DIB.

Download this article: JISAR - V15 N2 Page 17.pdf


Recommended Citation: Strohmier, H., Stoker, G., Vanajakumari, M., Clark, U., Cummings, J., Modaresnezhad, M., (2022). Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Initial Impact on the Defense Industrial Base. Journal of Information Systems Applied Research15(2) pp 17-29. http://JISAR.org/2022-2/ ISSN : 1946 - 1836. A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of CONISAR 2021