What is the primary goal of an Assessment in the CMMC context?

The primary goal of an Assessment within the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) context is to assess security control effectiveness. This process involves evaluating various security practices and controls implemented by an organization to ensure they are functioning as intended in mitigating risks and protecting sensitive information.

Assessments are essential in understanding how well an organization adheres to the set cybersecurity standards and whether its controls are adequately safeguarding against potential threats. This approach not only helps in identifying vulnerabilities and gaps in the current security posture, but also assists organizations in preparing for certification against different maturity levels based on their specific activities and data handling requirements.

Activities such as evaluating financial controls, improving operational efficiency, or implementing new security software, while important in their own contexts, do not explicitly align with the core purpose of CMMC Assessments, which primarily focus on the effectiveness of security measures and controls in place.