Free Practice Questions for Cyber AB CMMC-CCP Exam

Understanding the Official CUI RegistryTheControlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Registryis theauthoritative sourcefor all federal agencies'CUI categories and indices. It is maintained by theNational Archives and Records Administration (NARA)and provides:

✅Acomprehensive listof CUI categories and subcategories.

✅Details onwho can handle, store, and share CUI.

✅Guidance onCUI marking and safeguarding requirements.

TheOfficial CUI Registryis theonly federal resourcethat listsall CUI categories and agencies that use them.

32 CFR Section 2002(Option A) definesCUI policiesbut doesnotprovide a full listing of CUI categories.

Executive Order 13556(Option C) established theCUI Programbut doesnotmaintain an active list of categories.

The "Official CMMC Registry" (Option D) does not exist—CMMC is a security framework, not a CUI classification system.

Why "Official CUI Registry" is Correct?Breakdown of Answer ChoicesOption

Description

Correct?

A. 32 CFR Section 2002

❌Incorrect–Defines CUI program rules butdoes not listcategories.

B. Official CUI Registry

✅Correct – The registry contains the full list of CUI categories.

C. Executive Order 13556

❌Incorrect–Established the CUI program butdoes not maintain a category list.

D. Official CMMC Registry

❌Incorrect–No such registry exists; CMMC is a cybersecurity framework, not a CUI classification system.

National Archives (NARA) CUI Registry– The authoritative source forall federal agency CUI categories.

32 CFR 2002– Provides CUIpolicy guidancebut refers agencies to theOfficial CUI Registryfor classification.

Official References from CMMC 2.0 and Federal DocumentationFinal Verification and ConclusionThe correct answer isB. Official CUI Registry, as it is theonly official source listing all federal agencies' CUI indices and categories.

Key References for a Lead Assessor in a CMMC AssessmentALead Assessorconducting aCMMC assessmentmust rely onofficial CMMC guidance documentsto evaluate whether anOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC)meets the required cybersecurity practices.

TheCMMC Assessment Guideprovidesdetailed descriptionsof eachpractice and processat the specificCMMC level being assessed.

It defines:✔Theassessment objectivesfor each practice.✔Therequired evidencefor compliance.✔Thescoring criteriato determine if a practice isMET or NOT MET.

Most Relevant Reference: CMMC Assessment Guide

A. DoD adequate security checklist for covered defense information → Incorrect

TheDoD adequate security checklistis related toDFARS 252.204-7012 compliance, butCMMC assessmentsfollow theCMMC Assessment Guide.

B. CMMC Model Overview as it provides assessment methods and objects → Incorrect

TheCMMC Model Overviewprovideshigh-level guidance, butdoes not contain specific assessment criteria.

C. Safeguarding requirements from FAR Clause 52.204-21 for a Level 2 Assessment → Incorrect

FAR 52.204-21is relevant toCMMC Level 1 (FCI protection), butCMMC Level 2 follows NIST SP 800-171and requiresCMMC Assessment Guidesfor validation.

D. Published CMMC Assessment Guide practice descriptions for the desired certification level → Correct

TheCMMC Assessment Guideis theofficial documentused to determine if anOSC meets the required security practices for certification.

Why is the Correct Answer "D. Published CMMC Assessment Guide practice descriptions for the desired certification level"?

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Document

Specifies thatLead Assessors must use the CMMC Assessment Guidefor official scoring.

CMMC Assessment Guide for Level 1 & Level 2

Providesdetailed descriptions, assessment methods, and scoring criteriafor each practice.

CMMC-AB Guidance for Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs)

Confirms thatCMMC assessments must follow the Assessment Guide, not general DoD security policies.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting This Answer:

Final Answer:✔D. Published CMMC Assessment Guide practice descriptions for the desired certification level.

Background on Legacy Markings and CUI

Legacy markings refer to classification labels used before the implementation of theControlled Unclassified Information (CUI) ProgramunderDoD Instruction 5200.48.

Documents with legacy markings (such as “For Official Use Only” (FOUO) or “Sensitive But Unclassified” (SBU)) must be reviewed for re-marking or redaction to align withCUI requirements.

When Must Legacy Markings Be Updated?

If the document is retained internally (Answer A - Incorrect): Documents under DoD control do not require immediate re-marking unless they are being shared externally.

If the document is classified as Secret (Answer B - Incorrect): This question is aboutCUI, not classified information. Secret-level documents follow different marking rules underDoD Manual 5200.01.

If a document is being shared externally (Answer C - Correct):

According toDoD Instruction 5200.48, Section 3.6(a), organizations mustreview legacy markings before sharing documents outside the organization.

The document must bere-markedin compliance with the CUI Program before dissemination.

If the original document does not contain CUI (Answer D - Incorrect): The original source document's status does not affect the requirement to re-mark a derivative document if it contains CUI.

Conclusion

The correct answer isC: Documents with legacy markings must bere-marked or redacted when being shared outside the organizationto comply with DoD CUI guidelines.

During aCMMC assessment, organizations must provide evidence to demonstrate compliance with requiredpractices and processes. Assessors evaluate this evidence based on two key criteria:

Adequacy– Does the evidence meet the intent of the security requirement?

Sufficiency– Is there enough evidence to reasonably conclude that the practice/process is effectively implemented?

These principles are outlined in theCMMC Assessment Process Guide, which provides a structured approach for evaluating compliance.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:✅1. Adequacy – Does the evidence fully meet the requirement?

Adequacyrefers to whether the evidence properly demonstrates that the security practice has been implemented as required.

Example: If an organization claims to enforceMulti-Factor Authentication (MFA), an assessor would checksystem configurations, login policies, and user authentication logsto confirm that MFA is actually in use.

✅2. Sufficiency – Is there enough evidence to support the claim?

Sufficiencymeans that there isenough supporting evidenceto prove compliance.

Example: If an organization providesonly one screenshot of an MFA login screen, that alone may not besufficient—additional logs, policies, and user records would help strengthen the case.

(B) Adequacy and Thoroughness❌

Thoroughnessis not a defined metric in CMMC evidence evaluation.

The focus is onwhether the evidence meets the requirement (adequacy)and if there isenough of it (sufficiency).

(C) Sufficiency and Thoroughness❌

Thoroughnessis not a recognized term in CMMC compliance validation.

Evidence must beadequate and sufficient, not just thorough.

(D) Sufficiency and Appropriateness❌

Appropriatenessis not a CMMC-defined criterion.

Thecorrect terms used in CMMC assessmentsareAdequacy(Does it meet the requirement?) andSufficiency(Is there enough proof?).

Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:

CMMC Assessment Process Guideexplicitly states that evidence must be evaluated based onadequacyandsufficiencyto confirm compliance with security practices.

Final Validation from CMMC Documentation:

Understanding Federal Contract Information (FCI)Federal Contract Information (FCI) is defined by48 CFR 52.204-21(Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems). FCI refers to information that:

Is NOT intended for public release.

Is provided by or generated for the government under a contract.

Is necessary to develop or deliver a product or service to the government.

Excludes publicly available government information(such as information on public websites).

Excludes simple transactional information(e.g., necessary to process payments).

In the context ofCMMC 2.0, organizations thatprocess, store, or transmit FCImust meetCMMC Level 1 (Foundational), which requires implementing17 basic safeguarding practicesoutlined inFAR 52.204-21.

A. CDI (Controlled Defense Information)→ Incorrect

This term was used inDFARS 252.204-7012but has been replaced byCUI (Controlled Unclassified Information)in CMMC discussions.

B. CTI (Cyber Threat Intelligence)→ Incorrect

This refers to intelligence on cyber threats, tactics, and indicators, not contractual data.

C. CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information)→ Incorrect

CUI is sensitive information requiring additional safeguarding but is a separate category from FCI.

D. FCI (Federal Contract Information)→Correct

The definition of FCI explicitly matches the description given in the question.

Why is the Correct Answer FCI (D)?

FAR 52.204-21 (Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems)

Defines FCI and the required safeguards.

Establishes17 cybersecurity practicesfor FCI protection.

CMMC 2.0 Framework

Level 1 (Foundational)is required for contractors handlingFCI.

Ensures compliance withbasic safeguarding requirementsoutlined inFAR 52.204-21.

NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012

FCI doesnotrequire compliance withNIST SP 800-171, butCUI does.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting this Answer:

Understanding Policy Validation in CMMC AssessmentsDuring a CMMC assessment, policies must be evaluated based on:

Who has the authority to approve and enforce them

Whether they are current and implemented effectively

The validity of a policydoes not solely depend on the signatorybut rather onhow the organization assigns authority for policy creation, approval, and enforcement.

Some organizations assignauthority to a specific person, meaning anew signatory may be requiredwhen leadership changes.

Others assign authority to aposition/title(e.g., CISO, IT Director), in which casea new signature may not be requiredas long as the role remains responsible for policy enforcement.

The assessment teammust review the organization's policy management processto determine if the policy remains valid despite leadership turnover.

Key Considerations in Policy Validation:Thus,the correct answer is B, as additional research is needed to confirm whether the organization's policy is tied to the individual or the position.

A. The signatory is the authority to implement and enforce the policy, and since that person is no longer with the company, the policy is not valid.❌Incorrect. This assumes thatauthority is always tied to a person, which is not always the case. Some organizations delegate authorityto a position, not an individual.

C. The signatory does not validate or invalidate the policy. For the purpose of this assessment, ensuring that the policy is current and is being implemented by the individuals who are performing the work is sufficient.❌Incorrect. While implementation is crucial,the authority behind the policy must also be validatedper CMMC documentation requirements.

D. The authority to implement and enforce lies with the position, not the person. As long as that position's authority and responsibilities have not been removed from implementing that domain, it is still a valid policy.❌Incorrect. This assumes thatauthority is always assigned to a position, which is not universally true. More research is required to confirm this.

Why the Other Answers Are Incorrect

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Document– Outlines the importance of verifying the authority and enforcement of policies.

NIST SP 800-171 (3.12.1 - Security Policies and Procedures)– Requires that policies be maintained and enforced by appropriate personnel.

CMMC Official ReferencesThus,option B (More research on the company policy is needed) is the correct answer, as per official CMMC policy validation guidance.

AC3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization)is responsible for conductingCMMC Level 2 assessments.

After completing theassessment, theC3PAO generates the Final Recommended Assessment Results, which include key documentation reviewed by theCMMC Quality Assurance Professional (CQAP)for quality control.

Federal Contract Information (FCI) is defined inFAR 52.204-21as information provided by or generated for the government under contract but not intended for public release. UnderCMMC 2.0, organizations handling FCI must implementFAR 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding Requirements, ensuring proper protection inprocessing, storing, and transmittingFCI.

Analyzing the Given OptionsThe question involves an email system that is used tosendFCI to a subcontractor. Let’s break down the possible answers:

A. Manage FCI→ Incorrect

Managing FCI involves activities like organizing, storing, and maintaining access to FCI. Sending an email does not fall under management; it is an act of transmission.

B. Process FCI→ Incorrect

Processing refers to actively using FCI for operational or analytical purposes, such as analyzing, modifying, or computing data. Simply sending an email does not constitute processing.

C. Transmit FCI→ Correct

Transmission refers to the act of sending FCI from one entity to another. Since the contractor issendingFCI via email, this falls undertransmittingthe data.

What is Required in the CMMC Assessment Kickoff and Opening Briefing?Before starting aCMMC assessment, theLead Assessormust present anopening briefingto ensure that theOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC)understands the assessment process.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:✅1. Overview of the Assessment Process

The Lead Assessormust explain the CMMC assessment methodology, including:

Theassessment objectives and scope

How theassessment team will review security controls

What to expectduring interviews, testing, and document review

This ensurestransparency and alignmentbetween the assessors and the OSC.

✅2. Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:

(A) Gathering Evidence❌

Evidence collection is part of the assessment butnot the primary topic of the opening briefing.

(B) Review of the OSC's SSP❌

While theSSP is a key document, reviewing it is part of the assessment,not the kickoff briefing.

(D) Examination of the artifacts for sufficiency❌

Artifact review happens laterin the assessment process,not during the kickoff.

TheCMMC Assessment Process Guidestates that theopening briefing must include an overview of the assessment process, ensuring the OSC understands the expectations and methodology.

Final Validation from CMMC Documentation:Thus, the correct answer is:

✅C. Overview of the assessment process.

When preparing forCMMC compliance, organizations must ensure that theirnetwork configurations align with required cybersecurity controls. Ifnetwork administratorsdisagree on certain configurations, the mostobjective and accurateway to resolve the disagreement is by referencingofficial CMMC guidanceandNIST SP 800-171 requirements, which form the foundation of CMMC Level 2.

CMMC Assessment Guides as the Primary Reference

TheCMMC Assessment Guides (Level 1 & Level 2)provide clearinterpretationsof security practices.

Theyexplain how each practice should be implemented and assessedduring certification.

NIST SP 800-171 as the Compliance Baseline

CMMC Level 2is based directly onNIST SP 800-171, which outlines the110 security controlsrequired for protectingControlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Network configurations must complywith NIST-defined security requirements, including:

Access Control (AC) – Ensuring least privilege principles.

Audit and Accountability (AU) – Logging and monitoring network activity.

System and Communications Protection (SC) – Secure network design and encryption.

Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:

(A) Consult with the CEO of the company:

ACEO is not necessarily a cybersecurity expertand may not be familiar with CMMC technical requirements.

Technical compliance decisions should be based onCMMC and NISTframeworks, not executive opinions.

(C) Go with the network administrator's ideas with the least stringent controls:

Choosingless stringent controls increases security riskand could lead toCMMC non-compliance.

(D) Go with the network administrator's ideas with the most stringent controls:

While security is important,more stringent controlsmay introduceoperational inefficienciesorunnecessary coststhat are not required for compliance.

The correct approach is to implement what is required by CMMC and NIST SP 800-171, no more and no less.

TheCMMC Assessment GuidesandNIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2areofficial sourcesthat provide the most reliable guidance on compliance.

CMMC Level 2 is entirely based on NIST SP 800-171, making it the definitive source for resolving security disagreements.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:Final Validation from CMMC Documentation:Thus, the correct answer is:

B. Consult the CMMC Assessment Guides and NIST SP 800-171.