Free Practice Questions for Cyber AB CMMC-CCP Exam

According to the CMMC Scoping Guidance, Level 1, the scope of an assessment includes all assets that process, store, or transmit Federal Contract Information (FCI). CMMC is " information-centric, " meaning the security requirements apply to the information itself, regardless of the media it resides on (digital or physical).

Asset Identification: In a Level 1 assessment, assets are categorized as either FCI Assets or Out-of-Scope Assets. Since the file cabinet is explicitly identified as containing paper FCI, it meets the definition of an asset that stores the protected information.

Basic Safeguarding (FAR 52.204-21): The 17 practices of CMMC Level 1 are derived from the FAR clause for the " Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. " However, the physical protection requirements within that set (such as PE.L1-3.10.1, which requires limiting physical access to organizational information systems and equipment) extend to the physical storage locations of that data.

Media Neutrality: CMMC documentation emphasizes that " information systems " include the physical components and the information processed by them. If FCI is printed and stored in a cabinet, that cabinet becomes a physical storage asset within the assessment boundary.

Why other options are incorrect:

Option B: Physical location alone does not bring an asset into scope. For example, a coffee machine in the same room as an FCI computer remains out of scope because it doesn ' t handle FCI. Thecontent(FCI) makes the cabinet in-scope, not its proximity.

Option C: CMMC and the underlying FAR clause do not exempt paper-based information. Protected data must be secured whether it is on a hard drive or a printed sheet.

Option D: While a file cabinet may not " process " or " transmit " data like a computer does, it absolutely stores it. The definition of the scope includes all three functions (process, store, or transmit).

Reference Documents:

CMMC Scoping Guidance, Level 1: Section 2.0 (CMMC Level 1 Asset Categories), which defines FCI Assets as those that process, store, or transmit FCI.

CMMC Assessment Guide, Level 1: Discussion on Physical Protection (PE) practices and their application to physical media.

32 CFR Part 170 (CMMC Program Rule): Definitions of FCI and the requirements for contractor self-assessments.

Understanding DFARS Clause 252.204-7012

TheDefense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.204-7012is a mandatory cybersecurity clause required inall DoD contracts and solicitationsthat involveControlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Key Requirements of DFARS 252.204-7012

✅Implements NIST SP 800-171security controls for contractors handlingCUI.

✅Requirescyber incident reportingto theDoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3)within72 hours.

✅Mandatesadequate security measuresto protectDoD information systems.

✅Applies toall DoD contracts, except for those exclusively acquiring COTS items.

Why " All DoD Solicitations and Contracts " is Correct?

Option A (Correct):DFARS 252.204-7012must be included in all DoD contracts and solicitationswhen CUI is involved.

Option B (Incorrect):FAR Part 12 procedures apply tocommercial item acquisitions, but DFARS 7012 appliesregardless of procurement procedures.

Option C (Incorrect):Contractssolely for COTS (Commercial Off-the-Shelf) productsare exemptfrom DFARS 7012.

Option D (Incorrect):COTS itemssold without modificationsarenot requiredto include DFARS 7012.

Official References from DoD and DFARS Documentation

DFARS Clause 252.204-7012 (Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting)

NIST SP 800-171– The required cybersecurity standard for contractors under DFARS 7012.

Final Verification and Conclusion

Planning and preparing for aCMMC assessmentinvolves collaboration between theassessorand theOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC)to determine scope, required evidence, and logistics. This planning process isdynamicand must adapt as new information emerges.

Why the Correct Answer is " D " ?

Assessment Scope and Requirements May Change

As assessors gather evidence and analyze the environment,new details about assets, networks, and security controlsmay require adjustments to the assessment plan.

TheCMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guideemphasizes that assessmentrequirements and scope should be continuously reviewed and updatedto reflect real-time findings.

Assessors Follow an Adaptive Approach

DuringCMMC assessments, organizations may discover additionalFCI or CUI assets, which can change the required security practices to be evaluated.

Assessors shouldrevise the assessment approach accordinglyrather than strictly following an initial, unchangeable plan.

Why Not the Other Options?

A. Scoping an assessment is easy and worry-free→Incorrect

Scoping is acritical and complex processthat requires careful evaluation of the OSC’s information systems and assets.

CMMC Scoping Guidestates thatidentifying in-scope assets is crucial and requires significant effort.

B. The initial plan cannot be changed once agreed upon→Incorrect

Theinitial assessment plan is a starting point, butit must be flexiblebased on real-time findings.

CMMC CAP Guideemphasizescontinuous refinementduring the assessment process.

C. There is a determined amount of time that the OSC ' s point of contact has to submit evidence and rough order-of-magnitude→Incorrect

While there aretimelines, the key focus is ensuring thatall necessary evidence is gathered accuratelyrather than rushing to meet a strict deadline.

Relevant CMMC 2.0 References:

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guide– States that assessment requirements and planning should be updated as additional information is gathered.

CMMC Scoping Guide (Nov 2021)– Explains that assessors must continually refinein-scope assets and requirementsthroughout the process.

Final Justification:

Assessment planning is a dynamic process.Assessors must continuously review and update the requirements and planas new information emerges, makingDthe correct answer.

Understanding Ethical Responsibility in the CMMC Ecosystem

Ethics in theCMMC ecosystemis ashared responsibilitybetween theCMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB)and itsmembers. TheCMMC-AB Code of Professional Conductoutlines ethical obligations forassessors, consultants, and other ecosystem participantsto ensure integrity, fairness, and professionalism.

Key Ethical Responsibilities Include:

CMMC-AB ensures the accreditation process remains fair, unbiased, and ethical.

CMMC ecosystem members (assessors, consultants, and organizations) are responsible for upholding ethical practices in assessments and implementations.

Ethical violations can result indisciplinary actions, revocation of certification, or legal consequences.

Why is the Correct Answer " CMMC-AB and Members of the CMMC Ecosystem " (C)?

A. DoD and CMMC-AB → Incorrect

TheDoD oversees CMMC implementation, butit is not responsible for the ethical conduct of CMMC assessments.

B. OSC and Sponsors → Incorrect

TheOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC)is responsible for compliance but doesnot oversee ethics in the CMMC ecosystem.

C. CMMC-AB and Members of the CMMC Ecosystem → Correct

Ethics is explicitly stated as ajoint responsibility of the CMMC-AB and its ecosystem membersin official CMMC guidance.

D. Members of the CMMC Ecosystem and Lead Assessors → Incorrect

Lead Assessors are part of theCMMC ecosystem, butCMMC-AB is the governing body responsible for ethical oversight.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting this Answer:

CMMC-AB Code of Professional Conduct

Defines ethical responsibilities forassessors, consultants, and ecosystem members.

CMMC Ecosystem Governance Policies

Ethics isjointly managed by CMMC-AB and its accredited ecosystem members.

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Document

Outlines ethical expectations forassessors and consultantsduring certification assessments.

Level 1 only addresses the protection of Federal Contract Information (FCI) and does not include requirements for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Level 2 is explicitly designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It requires implementation of all 110 security requirements from NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, which directly support the safeguarding of CUI and help prevent its unauthorized disclosure or exfiltration.

Level 3 builds on Level 2 by including a subset of requirements from NIST SP 800-172. These additional practices are designed to enhance the protection of CUI against advanced persistent threats (APTs), further strengthening defenses against exfiltration.

Therefore, the levels that focus on protecting CUI from exfiltration are Levels 2 and 3.

Reference Documents:

CMMC Model v2.0 Overview (DoD, December 2021)

NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2,Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations

NIST SP 800-172,Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information

In the CMMC 2.0 framework, the " Advanced " level is synonymous with CMMC Level 2 . The model is designed to be cumulative , meaning each higher level incorporates the requirements of the level(s) below it.

Cumulative Structure : For an organization to achieve a Level 2 Certification, it must demonstrate that it meets all 17 practices from Level 1 (Foundational) plus the additional 93 practices introduced at Level 2, totaling 110 practices (aligned with NIST SP 800-171 ).

Access Control (AC) Domain Breakdown :

Level 1 : Contains 4 AC practices (e.g., limiting system access to authorized users).

Level 2 : Contains 22 AC practices total. This includes the original 4 from Level 1 and 18 additional practices (e.g., controlling the use of privileged functions, limiting unsuccessful logon attempts).

Level 3 (Expert) : This level adds even more practices from NIST SP 800-172 . While Level 3 " contains " Level 2, the question asks specifically about what the Advanced Level (Level 2) contains. Therefore, it contains Level 1 and Level 2 practices.

Why other options are incorrect :

Option A : Level 2 is not just Level 1; it includes the additional NIST 800-171 requirements.

Option B : Level 3 practices are part of the " Expert " level, not the " Advanced " level.

Option D : The " Advanced " level (Level 2) does not include the " Expert " (Level 3) practices.

Reference Documents :

CMMC Model Overview (v2.0/v2.1) : Section 3.2, " Level 2: Advanced, " which explicitly states the level consists of the 110 practices from NIST SP 800-171, which includes the Level 1 requirements.

32 CFR Part 170 (CMMC Program Rule) : Defines the mapping of the 14 domains and the cumulative nature of the certification levels.

CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide : Lists all 22 Access Control practices required for a Level 2 assessment.

Who Do DoD Contractors Report CUI Breaches To?

PerDFARS 252.204-7012, all DoD contractors handlingControlled Unclassified Information (CUI)must report cyber incidents to theDoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3).

Key Reporting Requirements

✅Cyber incidents involving CUI must be reported toDC3 within 72 hours.

✅Reports must be submitted via theDoD ' s Cyber Incident Reporting Portal.

✅Contractors mustpreserve forensic evidencefor potential investigation.

Why " DoD Cyber Crime Center " is Correct?

The FBI (Option A) handles criminal investigations, but DoD contractorsmust report cyber incidents to DC3.

NARA (Option B) oversees the CUI Registry, butis not responsible for breach reporting.

The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (Option D) is responsible for intelligence operations, not incident reporting.

Breakdown of Answer Choices

Option

Description

Correct?

A. FBI

❌Incorrect–The FBI handlescriminal cases, not CUI breach reporting.

B. NARA

❌Incorrect–NARA manages theCUI Registry, butdoes not handle breaches.

C. DoD Cyber Crime Center

✅Correct – Per DFARS 252.204-7012, cyber incidents involving CUI must be reported to DC3.

D. Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security

❌Incorrect–This office doesnothandle cyber incident reports.

Official References from CMMC 2.0 and DFARS Documentation

DFARS 252.204-7012– Requires DoD contractors to report CUI-related cyber incidents toDC3.

DoD Cyber Crime Center (DC3) Website– The official platform forcyber incident reporting.

Final Verification and Conclusion

The correct answer isC. DoD Cyber Crime Center, as perDFARS 252.204-7012, which mandates that all DoD contractors reportCUI breaches to DC3 within 72 hours.

According to the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP), specifically during the Phase 3: Conduct Assessment (Evidence Collection and Verification), the Assessment Team must evaluate all collected artifacts, interview notes, and test results against two primary dimensions: Adequacy and Sufficiency.

Adequacy (The " Right " Evidence): This criterion focuses on the quality, relevance, and validity of the evidence. It addresses whether the evidence actually maps to the specific CMMC practice being assessed and whether it is authoritative (e.g., signed, current, and from a trusted source). If an assessor asks, " Is this therightpiece of information to prove this practice is met? " they are testing for Adequacy.

Sufficiency (The " Enough " Evidence): This criterion focuses on the quantity and scope of the evidence. It addresses whether the Assessment Team has collected enough data points (across the required number of assets and using the required methods of Examine, Interview, and Test) to reach a confident conclusion. If an assessor asks, " Do I haveenoughexamples of this practice in action across the entire enclave? " they are testing for Sufficiency.

Why other options are incorrect:

B and D (Objectivity/Subjectivity): While assessors must remain objective, these are not the formal " criteria " used to categorize the evidence collection quality within the CAP framework.

C (Sufficiency): As noted above, Sufficiency is about theamountof evidence, not whether it is thecorrect type(the " right " evidence).

Reference Documents:

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v1.0: Section 3.4, " Collect and Verify Evidence, " which explicitly defines the requirement for evidence to be both adequate and sufficient.

CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide: Guidance on the application of the Examine, Interview, and Test (E-I-T) methods to ensure evidence quality.

NIST SP 800-171A: The foundation for CMMC assessment procedures, which emphasizes the need for relevant (adequate) evidence to support findings.

What Does the Practice of Professionalism Require in the CMMC Code of Professional Conduct?

TheCMMC Code of Professional Conduct (CoPC)sets ethical and professional standards forCertified CMMC Assessors (CCAs) and Certified CMMC Professionals (CCPs).Professionalismrequireshonesty and integrity in all CMMC-related activities.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

✅1. Professionalism Requires Ethical Behavior

TheCoPC states that professionalismincludes:

Acting with integrityin all assessment-related activities.

Providing truthful and objective assessmentsof cybersecurity practices.

Avoiding deceptive or misleading claimsabout assessments or compliance.

✅2. Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:

(A) Do not copy materials without permission to do so❌

This falls underIntellectual Property (IP) protection, notProfessionalism.

(B) Do not make assertions about assessment outcomes❌

Assessorsmustprovide findings based on evidence. The rule is aboutnot making false or misleading claims, not about avoiding assertions altogether.

(D) Ensure the security of all information discovered or received❌

This falls underConfidentiality, notProfessionalism.

Final Validation from CMMC Documentation:

TheCMMC Code of Professional Conduct (CoPC)definesProfessionalism as requiring honesty and integrityin allCMMC-related activities.

Thus, the correct answer is:

✅C. Refrain from dishonesty in all dealings regarding CMMC.

The CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) requires that sufficient evidence must:

Cover the sampled organization,

Cover the defined model scope of the assessment (Target CMMC Level), and

Correspond to the evidence collection approach.

Evidence is always required, even if the organization holds other certifications such as ISO. External certifications cannot replace CMMC evidence requirements. Thus, the statement that “Evidence is not required if the practice is ISO certified” is not valid.

Reference Documents:

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP), v1.0