Commvault
by Commvault
Covered
9
controls
Partial
2
controls
Gaps
3
controls
Overview
Commvault by Commvault is a backup & recovery solution that covers 9 NIST 800-171 controls (8% total coverage). It addresses key requirements in the backup & recovery domain for defense contractors pursuing CMMC compliance.
Implementation Notes
Deploy Commvault with FIPS-validated configurations. Integrate with your SIEM for centralized audit logging. Review partial controls quarterly to identify supplementary tooling needs.
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Implementation Guidance for Commvault
Configure Commvault for NIST 800-171 compliance by implementing these key control families. For **SC-28 (Protection of Information at Rest)**, enable AES-256 encryption for all backup data using Commvault's built-in encryption engine. Configure encryption keys through the CommCell Console under Storage > Encryption, ensuring keys are managed separately from backup infrastructure. For **CP-9 (Information System Backup)**, establish automated backup schedules covering all CUI systems with daily incrementals and weekly full backups. Configure retention policies matching your organization's data classification requirements - typically 7 years for CUI. Use subclient policies to ensure critical systems have priority backup windows. For **CP-10 (Information System Recovery)**, document and test restoration procedures quarterly using Commvault's disaster recovery automation. Configure replication to geographically separated sites and maintain recovery time objectives (RTO) under 24 hours. For **AU-9 (Protection of Audit Information)**, enable immutable backup copies using Commvault's WORM functionality and separate audit trail backups from operational data. Generate assessment evidence through Commvault's Command Center reporting - create scheduled reports for backup success rates, encryption status, and recovery testing results. Export these reports monthly for C3PAO review. Integrate with SIEM tools like Splunk or QRadar by forwarding Commvault event logs via syslog. Common misconfigurations include: insufficient encryption key rotation (rotate quarterly), inadequate backup verification (test 10% of backups monthly), and incomplete CUI data identification in backup policies. Ensure backup administrators have appropriate security clearance and implement role-based access controls within CommCell Console.
Gap Analysis & Compensating Controls
Commvault's 8% coverage leaves significant gaps in core NIST 800-171 control families. The largest gaps occur in **Access Control (AC)** family, where Commvault lacks native identity management, multi-factor authentication enforcement, and privileged access controls for CUI systems. Deploy tools like CyberArk PAM or Microsoft Azure AD to address AC-2, AC-3, and AC-6 requirements. **System and Communications Protection (SC)** gaps include boundary protection and network segmentation - Commvault cannot provide firewall capabilities or network access control. Implement Palo Alto Networks NGFW or Cisco ASA to satisfy SC-7 requirements. **Identification and Authentication (IA)** represents another major gap, as Commvault lacks comprehensive user authentication and password management capabilities. Deploy Okta or Ping Identity for IA-2 through IA-8 controls. Document these gaps in your System Security Plan (SSP) by creating compensating control narratives explaining how complementary tools address missing requirements. In your Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), prioritize closing AC family gaps first due to their high CMMC assessment weight (25% of total score), followed by SC family gaps (20% weight). IA gaps should be addressed third (15% weight). Budget 12-18 months for complete gap remediation, with AC controls requiring immediate attention before any CMMC assessment. Consider this a foundational tool requiring substantial supplementation rather than a comprehensive compliance solution.
Compliance Cost Estimate
Commvault licensing ranges from $150-400 per protected endpoint annually, with enterprise features required for NIST compliance typically at the higher end. Initial implementation costs include professional services ($25,000-75,000 depending on environment size), hardware infrastructure ($50,000-200,000 for backup appliances), and staff training ($5,000-15,000 per administrator). Ongoing maintenance includes annual support contracts (20-22% of license cost), dedicated backup administrator salary ($85,000-120,000 annually), and quarterly DR testing expenses ($10,000-25,000). Compared to competitors like Veeam ($100-300/endpoint) or Rubrik ($200-500/endpoint), Commvault sits in the premium range but offers superior enterprise features and compliance reporting capabilities essential for defense contractors.
Compliance Cross-References
Commvault aligns with DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements for CUI protection during backup and recovery operations, specifically addressing safeguarding requirements in section (b)(1)(i). For CMMC Level 2, it supports the Asset Management (AM) domain through backup inventory tracking and the System and Information Integrity (SI) domain via backup verification processes. The tool satisfies CMMC assessment objectives AM.2.057 (maintain inventory of system components) and SI.2.214 (monitor system security alerts). However, additional tools are required for most CMMC domains including Access Control, Audit and Accountability, and Incident Response. FedRAMP control mapping includes CP-9 (Information System Backup), CP-10 (Information System Recovery and Reconstitution), and SC-28 (Protection of Information at Rest). For complete CMMC Level 2 compliance, supplement Commvault with identity management (AC domain), SIEM solutions (AU domain), vulnerability scanners (RA domain), and endpoint protection (SI domain). Document these cross-references in your SSP control implementation statements, clearly delineating which requirements Commvault addresses versus compensating controls.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NIST 800-171 controls does Commvault cover?
Commvault covers 9 of 110 NIST 800-171 controls (8%), with 2 partially covered and 3 gaps.
Can Commvault alone satisfy CMMC Level 2?
No single tool covers all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. Commvault covers 8% and should be part of a layered security stack addressing the remaining controls.
What controls does Commvault not cover?
Commvault does not cover controls ia-3-5-1, pe-3-10-1, si-3-14-1. These require supplementary solutions such as physical security controls, additional access management, or media protection tools.
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