Pass the Cyber AB CMMC CMMC-CCP Questions and answers with CertsForce

Contractors that handle Covered Defense Information (CDI) are required to report cyber incidents to the Department of Defense within 72 hours of discovery.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

DFARS 252.204-7012(c)(1): “When the Contractor discovers a cyber incident that affects a covered contractor information system or the covered defense information residing therein, the Contractor shall conduct a review… and rapidly report the cyber incident to DoD within 72 hours of discovery.”

Why Option C is Correct:

The regulation explicitly specifies 72 hours.

Options A (24 hrs), B (48 hrs), and D (96 hrs) do not align with DFARS requirements.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content and Source Documents):

DFARS 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting.

CMMC v2.0 Governance – Source Documents list includes DFARS 252.204-7012.

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Understanding the False Claims Act (FCA) and Whistleblower ProtectionsTheFalse Claims Act (FCA)(31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3733) is aU.S. federal lawthat allowswhistleblowers (also known as "relators")to sue on behalf of the federal government if they believe a company issubmitting fraudulent claimsfor government funds.

The FCA includes a"qui tam" provision, which:

✅Allows private individuals to file lawsuits on behalf of the U.S. government.

✅Provides financial rewards to whistleblowersif the lawsuit results in recovered funds.

✅Protects whistleblowers from employer retaliation.

In the context ofCMMC and cybersecurity compliance, theFCA has been used to hold companies accountableformisrepresenting their cybersecurity compliancewhen working with federal contracts.

For example:

If a companyfalsely claimscompliance withCMMC, NIST SP 800-171, or DFARS 252.204-7012butfails to meet security requirements, it could beliable under the FCA.

TheDepartment of Justice (DOJ)has pursued cases under theCyber-Fraud Initiative, using theFCA against defense contractorsfor cybersecurity noncompliance.

Thus, the correct answer isC. False Claims Actbecause it specifically allows whistleblowers tosue on behalf of the federal government.

A. NIST SP 800-53❌Incorrect.NIST SP 800-53provides security controls for federal agencies butdoes notcontain whistleblower provisions.

B. NIST SP 800-171❌Incorrect.NIST SP 800-171outlines security requirements for protectingCUI, but itdoes not have legal mechanismsfor whistleblower lawsuits.

D. Code of Professional Conduct❌Incorrect. TheCMMC Code of Professional Conductapplies toC3PAOs and assessorsbut doesnot provide a legal basis for whistleblower lawsuits.

Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect

False Claims Act (31 U.S.C. §§ 3729–3733)– Establishes whistleblower protections and qui tam lawsuits.

DOJ Cyber-Fraud Initiative– Uses the FCA to enforce cybersecurity compliance in government contracts.

DFARS 252.204-7012 & CMMC– Require accurate reporting of cybersecurity compliance, which can lead to FCA violations if misrepresented.

CMMC Official ReferencesThus,option C (False Claims Act) is the correct answeras per official legal guidance.

Understanding the Role of CAICO in the CMMC EcosystemTheCMMC Ecosystemconsists of multiple organizations that manage, implement, and oversee different aspects of theCybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)program.

One of the key organizations is theCMMC Assessors and Instructors Certification Organization (CAICO), which is responsible for:

Training and certifying assessors and instructors.

Managing testing, authorization, and certificationfor CMMC professionals.

Ensuring assessors meet qualification and compliance standards.

TheCAICO is explicitly taskedwith thetraining, testing, authorization, and certification of candidate assessors and instructors.

Option A (DoD OUSD)is incorrect because theDoD Office of the Under Secretary of Defense(OUSD) provides policy oversight butdoes not handle certification of assessors.

Option B (DIB Collaborative Information Sharing Environment)is incorrect because theDIB CISfocuses on information sharing within the Defense Industrial Base, not assessor certification.

Option C (Committee on National Security Systems Instructions)is incorrect because CNSSI provides security standards butdoes not manage assessor training or certification.

CMMC Ecosystem Overview – Role of the CAICO

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guide – Assessor Certification and Training

Why Option D (CAICO) is CorrectOfficial CMMC Documentation ReferencesFinal VerificationSinceCAICO is responsible for training, testing, and certifying CMMC assessors and instructors, the correct answer isOption D: CMMC Assessors and Instructors Certification Organization.

Understanding IA.L2-3.5.3: Multifactor Authentication (MFA) RequirementTheIA.L2-3.5.3practice, derived fromNIST SP 800-171 (Requirement 3.5.3), requires thatmultifactor authentication (MFA) be implemented for both privileged and standard userswhen accessing:

✔Organizational endpoints(e.g., laptops, desktops, mobile devices).

✔Network resources(e.g., VPNs, internal systems).

✔Cloud services containing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Key Requirement for a "MET" RatingFor IA.L2-3.5.3 to beMet, the organization must:

Require MFA for all privileged users(e.g., system administrators).

Require MFA for standard users accessing endpoints and network resources.

Implement MFA across all relevant systems.

Sincestandard users do not require MFA in the OSC’s current implementation, the practiceis not fully implementedand must be ratedNOT MET.

A. The process is running correctly → Incorrect

MFA isonly applied to privileged users, but it isalso required for standard users. The process isnot fully implemented.

B. It is out of scope as this is a new acquisition → Incorrect

New acquisitionsmust still meet MFA requirementsif they handle CUI or network access.

C. The new acquisition is considered Specialized Assets → Incorrect

Specialized assets (e.g., IoT, legacy systems) may have alternative security controls, but standard users and endpointsmust still comply with MFA.

D. Practice is NOT MET since the objective was not implemented → Correct

MFA must be enabled for both privileged and standard usersaccessing endpoints and network resources. Since standard users are excluded, the practice isNOT MET.

Why is the Correct Answer "D" (Practice is NOT MET since the objective was not implemented)?

CMMC 2.0 Level 2 (Advanced) Requirements

Specifies thatMFA must be applied to all users accessing CUI and network resources.

NIST SP 800-171 (Requirement 3.5.3 – MFA Implementation)

Requires MFA forall user types, including privileged and standard users.

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Document

States that a practicemust be fully implemented to be considered MET. Partial implementation meansNOT MET.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting This Answer:

Understanding Training Requirements in CMMCThe requirement for ensuring thatpersonnel are trained to carry out their assigned information security-related duties and responsibilitiesfirst appears inCMMC Level 2as part ofNIST SP 800-171 control AT.L2-3.2.1.

Key Details on the Training Requirement:✔AT.L2-3.2.1: "Ensure that personnel are trained to carry out their assigned information security-related duties and responsibilities."

✔This control is derived fromNIST SP 800-171and applies toCMMC Level 2 (Advanced).

✔It ensures that employees handlingControlled Unclassified Information (CUI)understand theircybersecurity responsibilities.

A. Level 1 → Incorrect

CMMC Level 1 does not include this training requirement.Level 1 focuses on basic safeguarding ofFederal Contract Information (FCI)but doesnot require formal cybersecurity training.

B. Level 2 → Correct

The training requirement (AT.L2-3.2.1) first appears in CMMC Level 2, which aligns withNIST SP 800-171.

C. Level 3 → Incorrect

The training requirementalready exists in Level 2. Level 3 builds on Level 2 with additionalrisk management and advanced cybersecurity controls, but training is introduced at Level 2.

D. All levels → Incorrect

CMMC Level 1 does not include this requirement—it is first introduced in Level 2.

Why is the Correct Answer "B. Level 2"?

NIST SP 800-171 (Requirement 3.2.1)

Defines themandatory training requirementfor personnel handling CUI.

CMMC Assessment Guide for Level 2

ListsAT.L2-3.2.1as a required practice under Level 2.

CMMC 2.0 Model Overview

Confirms thatCMMC Level 2 aligns with NIST SP 800-171, which includes security training requirements.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting This Answer:

Who Determines the Assessment Method for Each Practice?In aCMMC Level 2 Assessment, theLead Assessorhas thefinal authorityin determining theassessment methodused to evaluate each practice.

Key Responsibilities of the Lead Assessor✅Ensures theCMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guideis followed.

✅Determines whether a practice is evaluated usinginterviews, demonstrations, or document reviews.

✅Directs theCertified CMMC Professionals (CCPs)and other assessors on themethodologyfor gathering evidence.

✅Works under aCertified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO)to ensure proper assessment execution.

CCP (Option A) assists in the assessment but does not make final decisionson methods.

OSC (Option B) is the Organization Seeking Certification, and they do not control assessment methodology.

Site Manager (Option C) may coordinate logistics but has no authority over assessment decisions.

Why "Lead Assessor" is Correct?Breakdown of Answer ChoicesOption

Description

Correct?

A. CCP

❌Incorrect–A CCPassistsbut doesnot determine assessment methods.

B. OSC

❌Incorrect–The OSC is beingassessedand does not decide assessment methods.

C. Site Manager

❌Incorrect–The Site Manager handles logistics butdoes not control assessment methods.

D. Lead Assessor

✅Correct – The Lead Assessor has the final say on the assessment method used.

CMMC Assessment Process Guide (CAP)– Defines theLead Assessor’s rolein determining assessment methods.

Official References from CMMC 2.0 DocumentationFinal Verification and ConclusionThe correct answer isD. Lead Assessor, as they havefinal decision-making authority over the assessment methodology.

The Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) enters into a contractual relationship with the OSC. As part of that contract, the C3PAO maintains a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect sensitive and proprietary information reviewed during the assessment.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

CAP v2.0, Roles and Responsibilities (§2.8): “The C3PAO maintains a non-disclosure agreement with the OSC to protect all sensitive information disclosed during the assessment.”

Why Option B is Correct:

Only the C3PAO contracts directly with the OSC and is bound to protect assessment data.

NIST, The Cyber AB (formerly CMMC-AB), and OUSD A&S do not enter NDAs directly with OSCs.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content):

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v2.0, Section on OSC–C3PAO agreements.

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In Phase 3 (Post-Assessment), the assessor’s responsibility is to archive or dispose of assessment artifacts according to the C3PAO’s policies and retention requirements. By this point, final findings and results have already been delivered, so the only remaining step is ensuring proper handling of assessment materials.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

CAP v2.0, Post-Assessment Activities (§3.17): “The assessor must archive or dispose of any assessment artifacts in accordance with the C3PAO’s retention and destruction policy.”

Why Option D is Correct:

Determining practice pass/fail results and level recommendations occurs earlier in Phases 2 and 3.

The final step left for the assessor is the proper archiving or destruction of artifacts.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content):

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v2.0, Phase 3: Post-Assessment (§3.17).

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PerDFARS 252.204-7021, contractors must achieve the requiredCMMC certification levelbefore contract awardif the solicitation specifies it.

Key Requirements:✔Contractorsmust be certified at the required CMMC levelprior to contract award.

✔Thecertification must be conducted by a C3PAO(for Level 2) orthrough self-assessment(for Level 1).

✔The certification must bevalid and registered in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS)before award.

A. At the time of award → Correct

DFARS 252.204-7021requires CMMC certification before a contract can be awardedif the solicitation includes CMMC requirements.

B. Upon solicitation submission → Incorrect

Contractorsdo notneed to be CMMC-certified at thetime of bid submission, only by the time of award.

C. Thirty days from the award date → Incorrect

Contractorsmust already be certified before the award is granted. There isno grace period.

D. Before the due date of submission → Incorrect

While compliance planning is important,CMMC certification is only required before contract award, not before bid submission.

Why is the Correct Answer "At the Time of Award" (A)?

DFARS 252.204-7021 (CMMC Requirement Clause)

CMMC certification is required prior to contract awardif specified in the solicitation.

CMMC 2.0 Program Overview

States that certificationis not needed at bid submission but is required before award.

DoD Interim Rule & SPRS Guidance

Contractors must havea valid CMMC certification recorded in SPRSbefore award.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting This Answer:

Per the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP), when planning an assessment, the Lead Assessor must coordinate with the Organization Seeking Certification (OSC) to select interview participants who can provide clarity and understanding of their practice activities. The intent is to interview individuals directly involved with and knowledgeable about the processes and practices under review, rather than selecting personnel based solely on rank, clearance, or formal expertise in CMMC.

This ensures the assessment is evidence-based and grounded in how practices are actually performed within the OSC.

Reference Documents:

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP), v1.0