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CMMC Password Compliance 101
Everything You Need to Know About CMMC Password Compliance and How Enzoic Helps
When working with the Department of Defense (DoD), securing accounts isn’t optional—it’s a strict requirement. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework was created to ensure that organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) maintain consistent, rigorous security standards. Below, we’ll cover the basics of CMMC, who needs to comply, what happens if you don’t, how compliance is enforced, and how Enzoic helps address a critical CMMC requirement related to protecting against compromised passwords.
What Is the CMMC?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a unified standard for implementing cybersecurity practices across the Defense Industrial Base. This framework is designed to protect sensitive defense information as it flows through contractors and subcontractors.
Originally based on NIST SP 800‑171, CMMC is evolving to ensure all DoD suppliers meet a certain maturity level of cybersecurity controls. With CMMC 2.0, there are three levels of certification, each requiring a progressively more strict cybersecurity practice. At a minimum, organizations must demonstrate compliance with relevant practices and processes to achieve the required level for the contracts they wish to bid on (or maintain).
Who Needs to Achieve CMMC Password Compliance?
Any organization that:
- Does business with the DoD—including prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in the DoD supply chain.
- Handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on behalf of the DoD.
- Works with Federal Contract Information (FCI) in some capacity.
Even if you are a small business or sub-tier supplier, you may still be subject to CMMC requirements if you handle any form of FCI or CUI. Ultimately, compliance is mandatory if you want to continue—or start—doing business with the DoD.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
- Losing Your Contract(s)
Failure to meet CMMC requirements can result in losing current DoD contracts or being deemed ineligible to bid on new ones.
- Audits and Investigations
If it’s discovered that an organization misrepresented its compliance level, it can face external audits or formal investigations.
- Financial Penalties and Lawsuits
In severe cases, organizations might face:
- Fines levied for violating contract terms or federal regulations.
- Lawsuits, including potential False Claims Act violations, if they knowingly misreport their CMMC compliance.
- Reputational Damage
Beyond the financial and legal implications, being publicly removed from DoD contract opportunities can tarnish an organization’s standing in the industry, making it more difficult to secure future partnerships.
How Is CMMC Password Compliance Enforced?
- Mandatory Certification
When you bid on a DoD contract, you must provide proof of your CMMC level. The specific level required depends on the sensitivity of information you handle.
- Third-Party Assessments
Organizations in higher CMMC levels undergo assessments by Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations. These entities verify that all required CMMC practices and processes are in place.
- DoD Oversight
The DoD has mechanisms to review assessments, investigate complaints, and audit organizations when discrepancies or cybersecurity incidents arise.
Spotlight on a Key Requirement: IA.L2‑3.5.9
Within the Identification and Authentication (IA) domain lies one of the most critical controls to combat data breaches:
CMMC IA.L2‑3.5.9
“Enforce password parameters to include preventing the use of dictionary words, repetitive or sequential characters, and prohibit the use of compromised passwords.”
This means that organizations must have password policies in place that:
- Block simple or easily guessable passwords like common dictionary words.
- Block known compromised passwords that attackers commonly use to “stuff” or brute force.
Force ongoing compliance by continuously scanning for weaknesses and enforcing prompt remediation.
How Enzoic Helps Address IA.L2‑3.5.9
Enzoic provides solutions that specifically focus on password security—helping organizations enforce robust policies to keep compromised credentials out of their environment. Here’s how:
- Real-Time Breach Data Checks
Enzoic constantly aggregates data from thousands of breaches. Every time a user creates or updates a password, Enzoic checks if that password (or a variation of it) has appeared in any known breach. If it’s compromised, the user is prompted to choose a more secure password.
- Dictionary & Common Password Detection
Enzoic’s service also flags commonly used, weak, or dictionary-based passwords—even if they haven’t appeared in a breach. This ensures you’re not just meeting basic complexity rules but also proactively blocking predictable password patterns.
- Integration with Active Directory
Enzoic for Active Directory seamlessly integrates with your on-premises environment. It automatically monitors password changes in real time, enforcing password policy without requiring cumbersome manual checks or additional user workflows.
- API-Based Approach
For organizations with custom applications or non-Windows environments, Enzoic’s APIs make it easy to implement password security checks anywhere. It’s a flexible, programmatic way to enforce password policies across various platforms.
- Automated Policy Enforcement
Once installed or integrated, Enzoic runs continuously in the background, scanning new or updated passwords. This automation not only increases security but also helps demonstrate compliance during CMMC audits—auditors can see that compromised password checks are being enforced systematically.
Why This Matters for CMMC Password Compliance
Passwords remain a primary attack vector—most data breaches start with compromised credentials. The DoD understands this risk, hence the explicit requirement to “prohibit the use of compromised passwords.” Enzoic helps organizations automatically maintain IA.L2‑3.5.9 by ensuring every password is thoroughly vetted against up-to-date breach data and strong security checks.
- Reduced Risk of Breach: Eliminating known compromised passwords drastically cuts the chances of account takeover attacks.
- Fewer Audit Headaches: Automated controls and reporting make it easy to show auditors you’re continuously enforcing password best practices.
- Future-Proof Security: As breach data evolves, Enzoic’s system automatically updates its checks, helping you stay one step ahead of new threats.
Final Thoughts
Complying with CMMC is non-negotiable if you plan to work with the DoD or handle CUI. While the consequences of non-compliance can be severe—lost contracts, audits, fines, and lawsuits—addressing these requirements doesn’t need to be daunting. By using Enzoic for Active Directory or Enzoic’s APIs to detect compromised passwords in real-time, you’ll strengthen your security posture and satisfy one of the most critical controls under IA.L2‑3.5.9.
Ready to improve your password security and simplify CMMC compliance? Contact Enzoic today to learn how our solutions can help you meet—or exceed—your CMMC requirements.
AUTHOR
Josh Parsons
Josh is the Product Manager at Enzoic, where he leads the development and execution of strategies to bring innovative threat intelligence solutions to market. Outside of work, he can be found at the nearest bookstore or exploring the city’s local coffee scene.