TL;DR: Quick Takeaways
- •CMMC is mandatory for DoD contractors handling CUI; SOC 2 is voluntary but expected by enterprise customers
- •CMMC is prescriptive (110 specific controls); SOC 2 is principles-based (you choose how to meet criteria)
- •There's 50-60% overlap between frameworks—doing both is more efficient than doing either alone twice
- •If you need both, start with SOC 2 (broader applicability), then add CMMC-specific controls
If you're selling to both commercial enterprises and the Department of Defense, you've likely encountered two very different compliance requirements: SOC 2 and CMMC. While both aim to ensure you protect sensitive data, they come from different worlds—and understanding their differences is crucial for building an efficient compliance program.
This guide breaks down CMMC and SOC 2 in detail, explains when you need each, identifies the significant overlap between them, and provides a practical roadmap for organizations that need both certifications.
Quick Framework Comparison
| Aspect | CMMC 2.0 | SOC 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Protect DoD Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) | Demonstrate security controls to customers |
| Required By | U.S. Department of Defense (mandatory for contracts) | Enterprise customers (voluntary but expected) |
| Framework Type | Prescriptive (specific controls required) | Principles-based (flexible implementation) |
| Based On | NIST SP 800-171 (Level 2) | AICPA Trust Services Criteria |
| Control Count | 17 (Level 1) or 110 (Level 2) | ~60-80 controls (varies by Trust Services Categories) |
| Assessment Type | Self-assessment + triennial C3PAO audit | Annual CPA firm audit |
| Typical Cost | $20K-100K+ (varies by level and size) | $30K-100K+ (varies by scope) |
| Timeline | 6-12 months typical | 3-6 months Type 1, 3-12 months Type 2 |
CMMC in a Nutshell
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the DoD's framework for ensuring contractors adequately protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It's mandatory for any company in the Defense Industrial Base that handles CUI.
You need CMMC if: You have or want DoD contracts involving CUI or Federal Contract Information (FCI).
SOC 2 in a Nutshell
SOC 2 (Service Organization Control 2) is an auditing framework that demonstrates your organization's security controls to customers. It's the de facto standard for SaaS companies and service providers.
You need SOC 2 if: Enterprise customers require it in their vendor security assessments or RFPs.
Achieve CMMC and SOC 2 Together
LowerPlane helps organizations achieve both certifications efficiently by identifying overlap and streamlining evidence collection across frameworks.
Deep Dive: CMMC 2.0 Requirements
CMMC 2.0 has three levels, but most contractors will need either Level 1 (basic) or Level 2 (the vast majority of CUI contracts). Level 3 is reserved for the most sensitive programs.
CMMC Level 1: Foundational (17 Practices)
For contractors handling only Federal Contract Information (FCI), not CUI.
Requirements:
- • 17 basic cybersecurity practices
- • Derived from FAR 52.204-21
- • Annual self-assessment
- • No third-party audit required
Key Controls:
- • Limit system access to authorized users
- • Identify and authenticate users
- • Protect system media
- • Physical access controls
CMMC Level 2: Advanced (110 Practices)
For contractors handling CUI—the most common requirement for defense contractors.
Requirements:
- • All 110 NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 controls
- • Annual self-assessment + SPRS score
- • Triennial C3PAO assessment
- • POA&Ms allowed for certain controls
14 Control Families:
- • Access Control (22 controls)
- • Identification & Authentication (11)
- • System & Communications (16)
- • Configuration Management (9)
- • + 10 more families
CMMC Level 3: Expert (110+ Practices)
For contractors working on the most critical defense programs.
Requirements:
- • All Level 2 controls + additional enhanced controls
- • Based on NIST SP 800-172
- • Government-led assessment (DIBCAC)
- • Only for critical national security programs
Who Needs Level 3:
- • Classified program support
- • Critical infrastructure
- • Advanced weapons systems
- • Determined by contract requirements
Deep Dive: SOC 2 Requirements
SOC 2 is built on Trust Services Criteria (TSC), with Security being mandatory and four additional categories optional. Unlike CMMC, SOC 2 lets you decide how to implement controls.
Trust Services Categories
Security (Required)
Protection against unauthorized access, both physical and logical. Includes access controls, encryption, monitoring, incident response.
Availability (Optional)
System uptime and performance commitments. Includes disaster recovery, backup, capacity planning, SLA monitoring.
Processing Integrity (Optional)
Data processing is complete, accurate, and authorized. Includes quality assurance, validation, error handling.
Confidentiality (Optional)
Protection of confidential information. Includes data classification, encryption, access restrictions, retention policies.
Privacy (Optional)
Personal information handling per privacy notice. Includes consent, data subject rights, retention, disposal.
SOC 2 Type 1
Point-in-time assessment of control design.
- • Examines: Control design at a specific date
- • Timeline: 1-3 months
- • Best for: First-time SOC 2, quick market need
- • Limitations: Doesn't prove controls work over time
SOC 2 Type 2
Assessment of control effectiveness over time.
- • Examines: Control operating effectiveness (3-12 months)
- • Timeline: 3-12 months observation period
- • Best for: Mature security programs
- • Advantage: Stronger customer assurance
CMMC vs SOC 2: Control Overlap
The good news: there's significant overlap between CMMC Level 2 and SOC 2. Organizations pursuing both can leverage work done for one framework to satisfy the other.
Overlap by Control Area (Approximately 50-60% Overlap)
CMMC-Specific Controls
Controls unique to CMMC that don't directly map to SOC 2:
- • CUI marking and handling procedures
- • Media sanitization and destruction
- • Boundary protection (DMZ, network isolation)
- • Cryptographic key management specifics
- • FIPS-validated encryption requirements
- • Maintenance procedures and logging
SOC 2-Specific Elements
SOC 2 areas not covered by CMMC:
- • Availability and uptime commitments
- • Processing integrity controls
- • Privacy-specific controls
- • Change management processes
- • Vendor management programs
- • Board and management oversight
When Do You Need Each?
You Need CMMC If...
- ✓You have existing DoD contracts that involve CUI or FCI
- ✓You want to bid on future DoD contracts
- ✓You're a subcontractor to a prime contractor with DoD work
- ✓Your contract solicitation specifies CMMC requirements
You Need SOC 2 If...
- ✓Enterprise customers ask for it in security questionnaires
- ✓You're a SaaS company selling to mid-market or enterprise
- ✓Competitors have SOC 2 and it's becoming table stakes
- ✓You handle customer data and want to demonstrate trust
You Need Both If...
- ✓You sell to both DoD and commercial enterprise customers
- ✓You're a SaaS company with defense contractor customers
- ✓You want to maximize market opportunity across sectors
- ✓Your competitors have both certifications
Streamline Multi-Framework Compliance
LowerPlane automatically maps controls between CMMC and SOC 2, eliminating duplicate work and accelerating your path to both certifications.
- ✓Unified control framework with cross-mapping
- ✓Single evidence collection for multiple frameworks
- ✓Gap analysis showing overlap and unique requirements
- ✓Automated audit preparation for both frameworks
Achieving Both: The Efficient Approach
If you need both certifications, the order and approach matter significantly for efficiency and cost.
Recommended Approach: SOC 2 First
For most organizations, starting with SOC 2 makes sense:
Step 1: Achieve SOC 2 Type 2 (Months 1-9)
- • Implement core security controls
- • Establish policies and procedures
- • Build evidence collection processes
- • Complete Type 2 audit (3-12 month observation)
Step 2: Gap Analysis for CMMC (Month 10)
- • Map existing SOC 2 controls to NIST 800-171
- • Identify CMMC-specific gaps
- • Plan remediation for unique CMMC requirements
Step 3: CMMC-Specific Implementation (Months 11-14)
- • Implement CUI handling procedures
- • Add FIPS-validated encryption where required
- • Enhance boundary protection controls
- • Create System Security Plan (SSP)
Step 4: CMMC Assessment (Months 15-18)
- • Submit SPRS score
- • Engage C3PAO for assessment
- • Achieve CMMC certification
Why SOC 2 First?
- • Broader Applicability: SOC 2 opens doors to all enterprise customers, not just DoD
- • Flexible Framework: SOC 2's principles-based approach lets you design controls that work for your organization
- • Foundation Building: SOC 2 establishes the security program foundation CMMC requires
- • Faster Initial Value: SOC 2 Type 1 can be achieved in weeks, providing quick customer value
Exception: CMMC First If...
- • You have an immediate DoD contract requirement
- • Your primary market is defense and commercial is secondary
- • You're already DFARS compliant with NIST 800-171 SSP
Ready to Tackle CMMC and SOC 2?
LowerPlane helps you achieve both certifications efficiently with unified control management, automated evidence collection, and expert guidance.
Key Takeaways
- 1
CMMC is mandatory for DoD contractors (prescriptive, 110 specific controls); SOC 2 is expected by enterprise customers (flexible, principles-based).
- 2
There's 50-60% overlap between frameworks—organizations pursuing both can leverage significant shared work.
- 3
For most organizations, start with SOC 2 (broader applicability, faster initial value) then add CMMC-specific controls.
- 4
CMMC-specific requirements include CUI handling, FIPS encryption, and boundary protection controls not covered by SOC 2.
- 5
Use a compliance platform that supports both frameworks to eliminate duplicate work and accelerate certification timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can SOC 2 satisfy CMMC requirements?
How much does it cost to achieve both?
Can the same auditor do both CMMC and SOC 2?
How long does it take to achieve both certifications?
Do I need separate tools for CMMC and SOC 2?
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