CMMC Ready — CMMC Level 2
88% NIST 800-171 coverage. 2 control gaps identified.
CMMC Status
CMMC Ready
Target Level
Level 2
NIST Coverage
88%
CyberArk Government
by CyberArk
Overview
CyberArk Government by CyberArk is an identity & access management solution with FedRAMP authorization targeting CMMC Level 2 compliance. It provides 88% coverage of NIST 800-171 controls for defense contractors handling CUI.
What This Means for Defense Contractors
CyberArk Government meets the architectural requirements for CMMC Level 2. However, CMMC compliance depends on your entire system boundary — not just individual tools. There are 2 NIST 800-171 control gaps that need remediation before assessment. Defense contractors using CyberArk 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 CyberArk Government without addressing these NIST 800-171 controls may result in findings during a CMMC assessment:
Strengths
Using CyberArk Government in a CMMC Environment
For defense contractors already using CyberArk Government, the path to CMMC compliance involves documenting the tool in your System Security Plan (SSP), ensuring proper access controls are configured, and validating that CyberArk Government's security controls align with your authorization boundary. With 88% NIST 800-171 coverage, CyberArk Government provides a strong compliance foundation, though the 2 remaining control gaps will need compensating controls or supplementary tools.
CMMC-Ready Identity & Access Management Alternatives
CMMC Compliance Analysis for CyberArk Government
CyberArk Government demonstrates strong CMMC Level 2 readiness with 88% NIST 800-171 coverage, positioning it favorably for defense contractors handling CUI. The solution excels in Access Control (3.1.x) and Audit & Accountability (3.3.x) control families through its privileged access management core, comprehensive session recording, and detailed audit trails. Its FedRAMP Moderate authorization provides significant value during C3PAO assessments, as assessors can leverage existing security controls documentation and continuous monitoring evidence. However, gaps in control 3.5.7 (split tunneling restrictions) and 3.8.1 (media marking) present challenges that require compensating controls. C3PAO assessors will scrutinize CyberArk Government's role in CUI workflows, particularly how it enforces least privilege for systems processing CUI and maintains session isolation. The tool can remain within the CMMC authorization boundary due to its FedRAMP authorization and government-specific security controls. Unlike competitors such as Okta GovCloud or Microsoft Azure Government, CyberArk Government's privileged access management focus provides deeper control over administrative actions on CUI systems. However, it requires integration with complementary solutions for comprehensive identity management. The solution's zero-trust architecture support aligns well with CMMC's security-by-design principles, though organizations must ensure proper network segmentation and CUI data flow mapping to demonstrate compliance during assessment.
Configuration Guide
Configure CyberArk Government for CMMC readiness by implementing multi-factor authentication for all privileged accounts accessing CUI systems within 4-6 weeks. Enable comprehensive session recording and establish real-time monitoring for all privileged sessions involving CUI data processing. Document compensating controls for gap 3.5.7 by implementing application-layer restrictions preventing split tunneling through CyberArk's session isolation features. Address control 3.8.1 by configuring automated media marking workflows within integrated systems. Establish continuous monitoring by enabling SIEM integration with security event correlation rules specific to CUI access patterns. Configure role-based access controls aligned with job functions and implement just-in-time access provisioning for temporary CUI system access. Document all configuration changes in the System Security Plan (SSP) with evidence screenshots and policy references. Prepare C3PAO evidence packages including: access control matrices, audit log samples, session recordings demonstrating CUI protection, and integration documentation with complementary security tools. Implement automated compliance reporting dashboards showing real-time adherence to NIST controls. Plan quarterly configuration reviews to maintain compliance posture and update documentation. Timeline estimate: initial configuration (4-6 weeks), compensating control implementation (2-3 weeks), evidence preparation (2-4 weeks).
Configuration Checklist
- 1ISSO: Configure multi-factor authentication policies for all privileged accounts accessing CUI systems, documenting implementation in SSP section 3.1.3
- 2Sysadmin: Enable comprehensive audit logging and session recording for all privileged access to CUI-processing systems per NIST control 3.3.1
- 3ISSO: Implement role-based access controls mapping job functions to CUI system access requirements, updating POA&M for control 3.1.4
- 4Sysadmin: Configure SIEM integration with real-time alerting for anomalous privileged access patterns on CUI systems
- 5ISSO: Document compensating controls for NIST 3.5.7 gap using CyberArk's session isolation features in SSP appendix
- 6Sysadmin: Establish automated media marking workflows addressing NIST 3.8.1 gap through integrated systems configuration
- 7Contracts: Validate CyberArk Government FedRAMP authorization status and document in vendor risk assessment
- 8ISSO: Prepare C3PAO evidence packages including access matrices, audit samples, and session recording demonstrations
- 9Sysadmin: Implement just-in-time access provisioning with approval workflows for temporary CUI system access
- 10C3PAO: Review CyberArk configuration against CMMC Level 2 requirements during pre-assessment activities
Estimated Compliance Cost
Initial CyberArk Government implementation and CMMC configuration ranges from $75,000-$150,000 for mid-size defense contractors, including professional services for proper integration with existing CUI systems. Annual licensing costs vary from $50,000-$120,000 depending on user count and privileged account volume. Continuous monitoring and compliance maintenance adds $15,000-$25,000 annually for dedicated security operations support, automated reporting tools, and quarterly compliance reviews. Additional costs include compensating control implementation ($10,000-$20,000) for addressing gaps in controls 3.5.7 and 3.8.1, and C3PAO preparation activities ($5,000-$15,000) including evidence documentation and SSP updates. Organizations should budget 6-9 months for full implementation and initial assessment readiness, with ongoing monthly monitoring costs of approximately $2,000-$4,000 for maintaining compliance posture.
Compliance Cross-References
CyberArk Government's FedRAMP Moderate authorization directly supports DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for adequate security on covered contractor information systems by providing pre-validated security controls and continuous monitoring. The solution addresses DFARS 252.204-7021 by enabling comprehensive audit trails and access controls for CUI protection, though gaps in controls 3.5.7 (Identification and Authentication - split tunneling) and 3.8.1 (Media Protection - marking) require documented compensating controls. Within CMMC Level 2's fourteen domains, CyberArk Government primarily supports Access Control (AC), Audit and Accountability (AU), and Identification and Authentication (IA) domains while requiring supplementary tools for Configuration Management (CM) and Media Protection (MP). The solution's government cloud deployment model aligns with FedRAMP's continuous monitoring requirements, providing automated security control validation that reduces C3PAO assessment burden. Integration with DFARS compliance is strengthened through CyberArk's ability to demonstrate least privilege enforcement and privileged user activity monitoring, core requirements for CUI protection. Organizations must map CyberArk's security controls to specific NIST 800-171 requirements in their SSP, leveraging the FedRAMP authorization package as baseline documentation while addressing identified gaps through compensating controls or supplementary tools.
Related Compliance Assessments
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CyberArk Government CMMC compliant?
CyberArk Government meets CMMC Level 2 requirements with 88% NIST 800-171 control coverage.
What NIST 800-171 controls does CyberArk Government cover?
CyberArk Government covers 88% of the 110 NIST 800-171 controls, with 2 gaps primarily in 3.5.7 and 3.8.1 control families.
What are the CMMC compliance gaps for CyberArk Government?
The primary gaps are in controls 3.5.7, 3.8.1. These require supplementary tools or process controls to achieve full CMMC Level 2 compliance.
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