CMMC vs. FedRAMP: What's the Difference?
Everything you need to know about CMMC vs FedRAMP: The requirements, key similarities and differences.
If you work with the federal government — the Department of Defense (DoD) or any federal agency — you've probably encountered CMMC and FedRAMP. Both frameworks protect sensitive data, but they apply to different organizations.
As a general rule of thumb: Defense contractors need CMMC and cloud providers need FedRAMP. Some companies need both. Another way to look at it is that CMMC secures the defense supply chain, whereas FedRAMP secures the government's cloud infrastructure.
Understanding the distinction isn't just a technical detail. It can determine whether you win or lose a contract, how you architect your IT systems, and what your compliance roadmap will look like for the next several years.
Here’s everything you need to know about CMMC vs. FedRAMP.
What is CMMC?
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the Department of Defense's way of making sure contractors can protect sensitive information. If you handle DoD contracts, you'll encounter two types of data that trigger CMMC requirements: Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
CMMC has three different levels:
- Level 1 covers basic cyber hygiene for FCI and can be achieved via self-assessment
- Level 2 gets progressively more rigorous for CUI and requires third-party assessment
- Level 3 is reserved for the most sensitive information and needs expert assessment
Starting in 2025, DoD contracts will include CMMC requirements, and you won’t be able to bid or work with government agencies without the right certification level.
What is FedRAMP?
FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) focuses specifically on cloud services used by federal agencies. While CMMC looks at your entire organization, FedRAMP zooms in on cloud offerings.
The program standardizes how cloud service providers get vetted, authorized, and monitored. Instead of each agency doing its own security review, FedRAMP creates a "once authorized, use anywhere" approach across the federal government.
FedRAMP uses NIST SP 800-53 as its foundation, with additional cloud-specific controls layered on top.
There are three FedRAMP impact levels:
- Low: Minimal impact if compromised
- Moderate: Serious adverse effects possible
- High: Severe or catastrophic effects possible
Most federal cloud services fall into the Moderate category, which requires comprehensive security controls.
Who Needs Which Framework?
CMMC applies to Defense Industrial Base organizations that handle FCI or CUI as part of DoD contracts. This includes prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers at any tier of the supply chain.
You're in scope for CMMC if your business:
- Processes, stores, or transmits DoD contract information
- Works as a subcontractor on DoD projects
- Provides services or products that touch DoD data
FedRAMP applies to cloud service providers offering solutions to any federal agency, not just DoD. This covers Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) offerings.
You need FedRAMP if your business:
- Provides cloud services to federal agencies
- Wants to sell cloud solutions to government customers
- Offers hosted applications or infrastructure to federal users
Some organizations need both. If you're a cloud provider working with DoD customers, or a DoD contractor using cloud services for CUI, both frameworks come into play.
How CMMC and FedRAMP Work Together
CMMC and FedRAMP can complement each other in the DoD ecosystem.
When DoD contractors use cloud services to handle CUI, those cloud services must have FedRAMP Moderate authorization or equivalent.
The DoD has issued specific guidance on FedRAMP equivalency that requires:
- 100% control alignment with FedRAMP Moderate requirements
- Complete documentation including security plans and incident response procedures
- Third-party assessment by an accredited organization
This creates a pathway where FedRAMP-authorized cloud services can support CMMC compliance. If you're a contractor using AWS GovCloud, Microsoft Azure Government, or Google Cloud for Government (which are all FedRAMP authorized) you can inherit many of the required security controls from the provider. However, you must still implement your portion of the controls to achieve full CMMC compliance.
In some cases, organizations with existing FedRAMP authorization may find the CMMC process more straightforward because of the overlap of controls between the frameworks.
Key Differences Between CMMC and FedRAMP
While both frameworks stem from NIST standards, there are some key differences you need to consider:
Who needs what
CMMC targets DoD contractors and their supply chain, whereas FedRAMP targets cloud providers selling to federal agencies (think Salesforce, AWS, or any SaaS platform the government uses).
What gets assessed
CMMC looks at your entire IT environment (that means every laptop, server, and network connection that touches defense data needs protection), while FedRAMP only focuses on your specific cloud service.
How often you're audited
If you need CMMC Level one there are annual self-assessments. For Level 2 you’ll need third party audits from a C3PAO assessor every three years and Level 3 needs government-led assessments as you’ll be handling the most sensitive data.
FedRAMP operates on continuous authorization; you're monitored constantly, with monthly vulnerability scans and annual assessments by a 3PAO.
The complexity levels
CMMC has three maturity levels based on the sensitivity of data you handle. FedRAMP has Low, Moderate, and High impact baselines based on the damage a breach could cause. Most organizations land in the middle tier of either framework.
Certification timelines
CMMC Level 1 can generally be achieved via self-assessment in 30-90 days if your team is experienced. For Levels 2 and 3, you’ll require a C3PAO assessor and the whole process can take 3-9 months. When it comes to FedRAMP, you’re generally looking at a longer timeframe and initial authorization can take 12-18 months.
CMMC and FedRAMP best practices
At Workstreet, we’ve helped a range of businesses achieve both CMMC and FedRAMP. Here are some of our best tips for getting through the process smoothly:
- Start with a gap analysis to understand your current security posture versus framework requirements. This identifies the biggest areas needing attention before assessment.
- Map overlapping controls if you're pursuing both frameworks. Many NIST-based controls appear in both, allowing you to address multiple requirements simultaneously.
- Engage assessors early in your process. C3PAOs and 3PAOs can provide valuable guidance on documentation requirements and common pitfalls.
- Plan for the long term since both frameworks require ongoing maintenance, not just initial certification.
Getting started with CMMC or FedRAMP compliance
Though there is some overlap between the two and some organizations will need both, CMMC and FedRAMP service different purposes — you need CMMC to work with the DoD and FedRAMP is essential to sell cloud services to federal agencies.
Understanding which applies to your business (and which levels you need), will help you to build the right compliance strategy to support your growth.
For companies navigating either framework, Workstreet's managed security and compliance services can accelerate your certification timeline and reduce the operational burden of ongoing compliance. Schedule a consultation to discuss your specific requirements.
Frequently asked questions about CMMC and FedRAMP
Can FedRAMP authorization help with CMMC compliance?
Yes, FedRAMP Moderate (or higher) can support CMMC compliance because the DoD allows contractors to inherit many of the CSP’s security controls for handling CUI. But it’s worth noting that RedRAMP alone doesn’t guarantee CMMC compliance.
How long does CMMC certification take compared to FedRAMP authorization?
CMMC Level 1 can be completed in 30-90 through self-assessment, while Levels 2 and 3 typically take 3-9 months. FedRAMP authorization usually takes 12-18 months due to extensive documentation requirements and federal review processes.
What happens if a cloud service loses its FedRAMP authorization?
If a cloud service loses FedRAMP authorization, DoD contractors using that service for CUI would need to migrate to an authorized alternative or implement equivalent security controls to maintain CMMC compliance.
Do small subcontractors need the same CMMC level as prime contractors?
CMMC requirements flow down through the supply chain based on the type of information handled, not company size. Small subcontractors handling the same CUI as prime contractors need the same CMMC level, though they may have fewer systems in scope.
Can organizations use the same documentation for both CMMC and FedRAMP?
While both frameworks use NIST controls, they require different documentation formats and evidence types. However, the underlying security implementations often overlap, allowing organizations to leverage existing controls and policies across both frameworks with appropriate tailoring.