What should interviews conducted during an assessment demonstrate?

Interviews conducted during an assessment are designed to evaluate the implementation and performance of relevant processes. This is crucial because the primary goal of these interviews is to gather insights into how well an organization adheres to established security practices and policies. By focusing on the implementation aspect, the assessment can gauge whether the processes are not only in place but are also functioning effectively.

Understanding performance is vital as it reveals if the organization's security controls are actively mitigating risks and contributing to their cybersecurity posture. Interviewing various personnel allows assessors to see firsthand the alignment between documented procedures and actual practices. This, in turn, informs the overall assessment of compliance with CMMC standards and helps identify areas for improvement.

While knowledge of the assessment protocol, levels of management approval, and financial investment in security tools are relevant topics, they do not directly address the effectiveness and operational status of the security processes being evaluated. Thus, focusing on the implementation and performance of relevant processes provides the most pertinent information during an assessment.