Partially Ready — CMMC Level 2
70% NIST 800-171 coverage. 4 control gaps identified.
CMMC Status
Partially Ready
Target Level
Level 2
NIST Coverage
70%
Acronis Government
by Acronis
Overview
Acronis Government by Acronis is a backup & recovery solution pursuing FedRAMP authorization targeting CMMC Level 2 compliance. It provides 70% coverage of NIST 800-171 controls for defense contractors handling CUI.
What This Means for Defense Contractors
Acronis Government meets the architectural requirements for CMMC Level 2. However, CMMC compliance depends on your entire system boundary — not just individual tools. There are 4 NIST 800-171 control gaps that need remediation before assessment. Defense contractors using Acronis Government should verify that their System Security Plan (SSP) documents how this tool fits within their authorization boundary.
NIST 800-171 Coverage
Control Gaps
Using Acronis Government without addressing these NIST 800-171 controls may result in findings during a CMMC assessment:
Strengths
Using Acronis Government in a CMMC Environment
Defense contractors using Acronis Government should be aware that its 70% NIST 800-171 coverage leaves 30% of controls unaddressed. While Acronis Government can be part of your CMMC environment, you will need compensating controls and supplementary tools to close the 4 identified gaps before a C3PAO assessment. Document all compensating controls in your POA&M and ensure your SSP accurately reflects the shared responsibility model.
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CMMC Compliance Analysis for Acronis Government
Acronis Government presents a mixed CMMC readiness profile for defense contractors handling CUI in backup operations. The solution excels in media protection (3.8) and identification/authentication (3.5) controls through its automated backup verification, immutable storage capabilities, and ransomware protection features that directly support CUI confidentiality requirements. However, critical gaps in controls 3.5.3 (multifactor authentication enforcement), 3.5.7 (password complexity management), 3.8.1 (media access restrictions), and 3.8.3 (media sanitization) create significant compliance vulnerabilities. During a C3PAO Level 2 assessment, evaluators will scrutinize Acronis Government's ability to maintain CUI separation, enforce access controls on backup media, and demonstrate proper authentication mechanisms for administrative functions. The tool's pursuit of FedRAMP authorization indicates architectural security maturity, but current gaps prevent inclusion within a CMMC authorization boundary without compensating controls. Unlike competitors such as Veeam Government or Cohesity FedRAMP solutions that offer more comprehensive NIST 800-171 coverage, Acronis Government requires additional security overlays to achieve full compliance. The 70% NIST coverage positions it as a viable backup solution only when paired with enterprise identity management systems and proper media handling procedures, making it suitable for contractors with existing security infrastructure but inadequate as a standalone CMMC solution.
Remediation Plan
Remediation requires systematic closure of four critical NIST control gaps through integrated security enhancements. For 3.5.3 and 3.5.7 gaps, implement enterprise MFA integration with Azure AD Government or similar FedRAMP solutions, configure Acronis Government to inherit authentication policies, and establish password complexity enforcement through centralized identity management (8-12 weeks). Address 3.8.1 by configuring role-based access controls within Acronis Government, implementing network segmentation for backup infrastructure, and documenting media access restrictions in the System Security Plan (4-6 weeks). Resolve 3.8.3 through documented media sanitization procedures, integration with certified data destruction services, and automated retention policy enforcement (2-4 weeks). Document compensating controls including network-level access restrictions, endpoint detection integration, and continuous monitoring through SIEM correlation rules. Establish ongoing compliance through quarterly access reviews, monthly backup integrity verification, and annual penetration testing of backup infrastructure. Prepare C3PAO evidence including configuration baselines, access control matrices, sanitization certificates, and continuous monitoring reports. Maintain compliance through automated policy enforcement, regular vulnerability scanning, and integrated security monitoring that correlates backup activities with broader security operations.
Remediation Checklist
- 1ISSO: Conduct gap analysis mapping current Acronis Government configuration against NIST 800-171 controls 3.5.3, 3.5.7, 3.8.1, and 3.8.3
- 2Sysadmin: Configure MFA integration between Acronis Government and enterprise identity provider to address control 3.5.3
- 3Sysadmin: Implement password complexity policies through centralized authentication system for control 3.5.7 compliance
- 4ISSO: Document compensating controls for media access restrictions (3.8.1) in System Security Plan Section 3.8
- 5Sysadmin: Configure role-based access controls within Acronis Government administrative console
- 6Contracts: Establish data sanitization procedures with certified destruction vendor for control 3.8.3
- 7ISSO: Create POA&M entries for remaining compliance gaps with specific remediation timelines
- 8Sysadmin: Implement continuous monitoring through SIEM integration for backup infrastructure activities
- 9ISSO: Prepare C3PAO evidence package including configuration baselines and access control documentation
- 10C3PAO: Schedule pre-assessment review of remediated controls and compensating control effectiveness
Estimated Compliance Cost
Initial remediation costs range from $45,000-75,000 including MFA system integration ($15,000-25,000), network segmentation implementation ($20,000-35,000), and policy documentation/training ($10,000-15,000). Annual ongoing costs approximate $25,000-40,000 covering continuous monitoring tools, compliance reporting automation, and quarterly security assessments. Additional continuous monitoring expenses include SIEM integration ($8,000-12,000 annually) and vulnerability management platform integration ($5,000-8,000 annually). Timeline for full compliance spans 14-22 weeks depending on existing infrastructure maturity and organizational change management capabilities. Cost optimization opportunities exist through leveraging existing enterprise security tools and automating compliance reporting workflows.
Compliance Cross-References
Acronis Government's partial CMMC readiness directly impacts DFARS 252.204-7012 compliance through inadequate safeguarding controls for CUI in backup operations, potentially triggering contract non-compliance findings. DFARS 252.204-7021 requirements for incident reporting become complicated when backup systems lack proper access controls (3.8.1) and authentication mechanisms (3.5.3, 3.5.7), potentially masking unauthorized CUI access. The identified gaps span two critical NIST 800-171 control families: Identification and Authentication (3.5) failures in multifactor authentication and password management create authentication bypass risks, while Media Protection (3.8) gaps in access restrictions and sanitization procedures enable data leakage scenarios. During CMMC Level 2 assessment, these gaps will generate findings in Access Control (AC.L2) and Media Protection (MP.L2) domains, requiring documented compensating controls or system exclusion from authorization boundary. FedRAMP pursuit indicates architectural compliance trajectory, but current gaps prevent immediate authorization boundary inclusion. Non-compliance creates cascading effects across DFARS cybersecurity requirements, potentially impacting contract eligibility and requiring comprehensive remediation before C3PAO assessment.
Related Compliance Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Acronis Government CMMC compliant?
Acronis Government partially meets CMMC requirements with 70% coverage. 4 control gaps need remediation.
What NIST 800-171 controls does Acronis Government cover?
Acronis Government covers 70% of the 110 NIST 800-171 controls, with 4 gaps primarily in 3.5.3 and 3.5.7 control families.
What are the CMMC compliance gaps for Acronis Government?
The primary gaps are in controls 3.5.3, 3.5.7, 3.8.1, 3.8.3. These require supplementary tools or process controls to achieve full CMMC Level 2 compliance.
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