Which NIST SP Defines the Assessment Procedures for CMMC?
CMMC Level 2 isdirectly based on NIST SP 800-171, and the assessment procedures used in CMMC assessments are derived fromNIST SP 800-171A.
Step-by-Step Breakdown:
✅1. NIST SP 800-171A Defines Assessment Procedures
NIST SP 800-171Ais titled"Assessing Security Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)".
It providesdetailed assessment objectives and test proceduresfor evaluating compliance withNIST SP 800-171 security requirements, whichCMMC Level 2 is fully aligned with.
CMMC Assessors use 800-171Aas abaseline for assessing the effectiveness of security controls.
✅2. Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:
(A) NIST SP 800-53❌
800-53 defines security controlsfor federal information systems, but it doesnot provide assessment procedures specific to CMMC.
(B) NIST SP 800-53A❌
800-53A provides assessment procedures for 800-53 controls, butCMMC is based on NIST SP 800-171, not 800-53.
(C) NIST SP 800-171❌
800-171 defines security requirements, butit does not provide assessment procedures. Theassessment proceduresare in800-171A.
Final Validation from CMMC Documentation:
TheCMMC Assessment Guide (Level 2)explicitly states that assessment procedures are derived fromNIST SP 800-171A.
Thus, the correct answer is: