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

Understanding the "Examine" Assessment Method in CMMC 2.0CMMC 2.0 usesthree assessment methodsto evaluate security compliance:

Examine– Reviewing, inspecting, observing, studying, or analyzing assessment objects (e.g., policies, system documentation).

Interview– Speaking with personnel to verify knowledge and responsibilities.

Test– Performing technical validation to check system configurations.

TheCMMC Assessment Process (CAP)definesExamineas the method used toreview or analyze assessment objects, such as policies, procedures, configurations, and logs.

Relevant CMMC 2.0 Reference:

A. Test → Incorrect

"Test" involvesexecutinga function to validate its security (e.g., verifying access controls through a live system test).

B. Assess → Incorrect

"Assess" is a broad term; CMMC explicitly defines "Examine" as the method for reviewing documentation.

C. Examine → Correct

"Examine" is the official term forreviewing policies, procedures, configurations, or logs.

D. Interview → Incorrect

"Interview" involvesverbal discussions with personnel, not document analysis.

Why is the Correct Answer "Examine" (C)?

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Document

Defines "Examine" asanalyzing assessment objects (e.g., policies, procedures, logs, documentation).

NIST SP 800-171A

Specifies "Examine" as a method toreview security controls and configurations.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting this Answer:

The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) serves as the authoritative body overseeing the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) program within the United States federal government. NARA maintains the CUI Registry, which is the definitive resource for all categories, subcategories, and associated markings of CUI. This registry provides comprehensive guidance on the identification and handling of CUI, ensuring standardized practices across federal agencies and their contractors.

The other options are delineated as follows:

CMMC-AB:The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body is responsible for overseeing the CMMC program but does not manage CUI classifications.

DoD Contractors FAQ:While it may offer guidance to Department of Defense contractors, it is not an authoritative source for CUI data classifications.

OSC's privacy policies:An Organization Seeking Certification's internal policies pertain to its own data handling practices and are not authoritative for CUI classifications.

Therefore, for authoritative information on CUI data classifications, the NARA's CUI Registry is the appropriate resource.

The term Adversarial Assessment is formally defined in DoD cyber terminology. It describes testing that evaluates a unit or system’s ability to perform its mission while facing simulated cyber threat activity representative of a real-world adversary.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

DoD Cybersecurity Test and Evaluation Guidebook: “Adversarial Assessment: Test conducted to evaluate a unit’s ability to support its mission while withstanding cyber threat activity representative of an actual adversary.”

Why Option D is Correct:

A penetration test is narrower and focuses on identifying vulnerabilities.

Black hat testing is not an official DoD or CMMC term.

Red cell assessment refers more broadly to force-on-force exercises and is not the term used in CMMC/governing DoD definitions.

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

DoD Cybersecurity Test and Evaluation Guidebook.

CMMC v2.0 Governance – Source Documents (incorporating DoD definitions).

Who Should Be Interviewed During a CMMC Assessment?During assessment planning, theOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC)may suggest personnel for interviews. However, the person interviewedmustbe someone who:

✅Implementsthe practice (directly responsible for executing it).

✅Performsthe practice (carries out day-to-day security operations).

✅Supportsthe practice (provides necessary resources or oversight).

Theassessor needs direct insightsfrom individuals actively involved in the practice.

Funding (Option A)does not providetechnical or operationalinsight into practice execution.

Auditing (Option B)focuses on compliance checks, but auditorsdo not implementthe practice.

Supporting, auditing, and performing (Option C)includesauditors, who arenot necessarily the right interviewees.

Why "Implements, Performs, or Supports That Practice" is Correct?Breakdown of Answer ChoicesOption

Description

Correct?

A. Funds that practice.

❌Incorrect–Funding is important but doesnot mean direct involvement.

B. Audits that practice.

❌Incorrect–Auditors check compliance but donot implementpractices.

C. Supports, audits, and performs that practice.

❌Incorrect–Auditing isnot a requirementfor interviewees.

D. Implements, performs, or supports that practice.

✅Correct – The interviewee must have direct involvement in execution.

CMMC Assessment Process Guide (CAP)– Requires that interviewees bedirectly responsiblefor implementing, performing, or supporting the practice.

Official References from CMMC 2.0 DocumentationFinal Verification and ConclusionThe correct answer isD. Implements, performs, or supports that practice, as the interviewee mustactively contribute to the execution of the practice.

ACMMC Level 2 Assessmentis conducted by aC3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization)to determine whether theOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC)meets all required110 NIST SP 800-171 controls.

Before submitting the results, theC3PAO must complete a final briefing between the Lead Assessor and the OSCto review findings and clarify any concerns.

A. Pay an assessment submission fee→Incorrect

There is no mandatory submission fee for assessment results.Fees apply to the assessment process, not submission.

B. Complete an internal review of the results→Incorrect

While internal reviews are encouraged, they arenot a required step before submissionin CMMC assessment procedures.

C. Notify the CMMC-AB that submission is forthcoming→Incorrect

TheC3PAO submits results to the CMMC-AB through the CMMC eMASS system, but prior notification isnot a required procedural step.

D. Coordinate a final briefing between the Lead Assessor and the OSC→Correct

According toCMMC Assessment Process (CAP) guidelines, theLead Assessor must conduct a final briefing with the OSCbefore submitting the results.

This briefing ensures transparency, provides OSC with insight into the findings, and allows for final clarifications.

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v1.0

Requires afinal briefing between the Lead Assessor and the OSC before submitting assessment results.

CMMC-AB and C3PAO Process Requirements

TheLead Assessor must communicate final findings with the OSC before submission to CMMC-AB.

Analysis of the Given Options:Official References Supporting the Correct Answer:Conclusion:The correct answer is:

✅D. Coordinate a final briefing between the Lead Assessor and the OSC.

Understanding High-Level Scoping in a CMMC AssessmentDuringHigh-Level Scoping, aCertified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO)determines thepeople, processes, and technologythat are within scope for theCMMC Level 1 or Level 2 assessment.

Supporting Organization/Unitsrefer to thespecific groups, departments, or teamsthat handleControlled Unclassified Information (CUI)orFederal Contract Information (FCI)and are responsible for applyingCMMC security practices.

These units aredirectly involved in the contract's executionand are included in the CMMC assessment scope.

Key Term: Supporting Organization/Units

A. Host Unit → Incorrect

This term is not used inCMMC assessment scoping.

B. Branch Office → Incorrect

Abranch officemay or may not be in scope; scoping is based onwhether the unit handles CUI or FCI, not its physical location.

C. Coordinating Unit → Incorrect

No official CMMC term refers to a "Coordinating Unit."

D. Supporting Organization/Units → Correct

This termcorrectly describes the entities that apply security controls for the contract and are within the CMMC assessment scope.

Why is the Correct Answer "D. Supporting Organization/Units"?

CMMC Scoping Guidance for Level 1 & Level 2 Assessments

DefinesSupporting Organization/Unitsasin-scope entities responsible for implementing cybersecurity controls.

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Document

Specifies that theC3PAO must identify and document the units responsible for security compliance.

DoD CMMC 2.0 Guidance on Scoping

Requires theassessment team to define the people, processes, and technology that fall within the scopeof the assessment.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting This Answer:

Understanding the Reporting Process in a CMMC 2.0 Level 2 AssessmentACMMC Level 2 Assessmentconducted by aCertified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO)follows a structured approach to gathering evidence, evaluating compliance, and reporting findings to theOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC). The reporting process is outlined in theCMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guide, which specifies how findings should be communicated.

Daily Checkpoints:

Throughout the assessment, the assessor team holdsdaily checkpoint meetingswith the OSC to provide updates on progress, observations, and preliminary findings.

These checkpoints help ensure transparency and allow the OSC to address minor issues as they arise.

Final Results Delivery:

Thefinal assessment resultsare typically shared during thefinal daily checkpointOR in aseparately scheduled findings and recommendations reviewmeeting.

This ensures that the OSC receives a structured and complete summary of the assessment findings before the official report is submitted.

TheCMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guide, Section 4.5clearly states that assessment findings should be presentedeither at the last daily checkpoint or during a separately scheduled final review.

This aligns with best practices formaintaining transparency and ensuring the OSC has clarity on their assessment resultsbefore the final report submission.

Option A (End of every day)is incorrect because while assessors do provide updates, they do not deliver the "final results" daily.

Option B (Daily and a separate final review)is misleading, as the CAP Guide allows assessors tochoosebetween the final daily checkpoint OR a separate findings review—not both.

Option D (After C3PAO approval)is incorrect because theC3PAO does not approve findings before they are communicated to the OSC. The assessment team directly presents the results first.

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guide, Section 4.5: Reporting and Findings Communication

CMMC 2.0 Level 2 Assessment Process Overview

CMMC Assessment Final Report Guidelines

Assessment Communication StructureWhy Option C is CorrectOfficial CMMC Documentation ReferencesFinal VerificationBased on officialCMMC 2.0 documentation, thefinal assessment results should be presented to the OSC either at the last daily checkpoint or in a separately scheduled review session, making Option C the correct answer.

Understanding Federal Contract Information (FCI)Federal Contract Information (FCI) is defined by48 CFR 52.204-21(Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems). FCI refers to information that:

Is NOT intended for public release.

Is provided by or generated for the government under a contract.

Is necessary to develop or deliver a product or service to the government.

Excludes publicly available government information(such as information on public websites).

Excludes simple transactional information(e.g., necessary to process payments).

In the context ofCMMC 2.0, organizations thatprocess, store, or transmit FCImust meetCMMC Level 1 (Foundational), which requires implementing17 basic safeguarding practicesoutlined inFAR 52.204-21.

A. CDI (Controlled Defense Information)→ Incorrect

This term was used inDFARS 252.204-7012but has been replaced byCUI (Controlled Unclassified Information)in CMMC discussions.

B. CTI (Cyber Threat Intelligence)→ Incorrect

This refers to intelligence on cyber threats, tactics, and indicators, not contractual data.

C. CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information)→ Incorrect

CUI is sensitive information requiring additional safeguarding but is a separate category from FCI.

D. FCI (Federal Contract Information)→Correct

The definition of FCI explicitly matches the description given in the question.

Why is the Correct Answer FCI (D)?

FAR 52.204-21 (Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems)

Defines FCI and the required safeguards.

Establishes17 cybersecurity practicesfor FCI protection.

CMMC 2.0 Framework

Level 1 (Foundational)is required for contractors handlingFCI.

Ensures compliance withbasic safeguarding requirementsoutlined inFAR 52.204-21.

NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012

FCI doesnotrequire compliance withNIST SP 800-171, butCUI does.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting this Answer:

DFARS clause 252.204-7012 establishes the safeguarding of Covered Defense Information (CDI), which aligns with CUI categories. The clause specifies that the DoD is responsible for determining whether information is Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and marking it accordingly before sharing it with contractors. Contractors do not make determinations about what constitutes CUI; they are responsible for safeguarding information once it is received and marked as CUI.

Reference Documents:

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

CMMC Model v2.0 Overview, December 2021

TheCybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0is primarily based on two key National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publications:

NIST SP 800-171– "Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations"

NIST SP 800-172– "Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information: A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171"

NIST SP 800-171

This document is thecore foundationof CMMC 2.0 and establishes the security requirements for protectingControlled Unclassified Information (CUI)in non-federal systems.

The 110 security controls fromNIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2are mapped directly toCMMC Level 2.

NIST SP 800-172

This supplement includesenhanced security requirementsfor organizations handlinghigh-value CUIthat faces advanced persistent threats (APTs).

These enhanced requirements apply toCMMC Level 3under the 2.0 model.

B. DFARS, FIPS 100, and NIST SP 800-171→Incorrect

WhileDFARS 252.204-7012mandates compliance withNIST SP 800-171,FIPS 100 does not existas a relevant cybersecurity standard.

C. DFARS, NIST, and Carnegie Mellon University→Incorrect

CMMC is aligned with DFARS and NIST but isnot developed or directly influenced by Carnegie Mellon University.

D. DFARS, FIPS 100, NIST SP 800-171, and Carnegie Mellon University→Incorrect

Again,FIPS 100 is not relevant, andCarnegie Mellon Universityis not a defining entity in the CMMC framework.

CMMC 2.0 Scoping Guide (2023)confirms thatCMMC Level 2 is entirely based on NIST SP 800-171.

CMMC 2.0 Level 3 Draft Documentationexplicitly referencesNIST SP 800-172for enhanced security requirements.

DoD Interim Rule (DFARS 252.204-7021)mandates that organizations meetNIST SP 800-171 for CUI protection.

Reference and Breakdown:Eliminating Incorrect Answer Choices:Official CMMC 2.0 References Supporting the Answer:Final Conclusion:The CMMC 2.0 model is derivedsolely from NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-172, makingAnswer A the only correct choice.