FedRAMP Explained

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FedRAMP vs CMMC: What Is the Difference?

September 28, 2026

FedRAMP and CMMC sound alike and confuse everyone. They are two separate programs with different jobs. This guide keeps them straight.

What is the short version of the difference?

FedRAMP checks cloud products. CMMC checks defense contractors. One protects the government's cloud tools. The other protects the government's sensitive data.

A cloud vendor may need FedRAMP. A machine shop with defense contracts needs CMMC. Some companies need both.

Who runs each program?

FedRAMP is a government-wide program for cloud security. (FedRAMP) It sets one standard that all agencies can reuse.

CMMC is the Defense Department's program for contractor cybersecurity. (DoD CIO, About CMMC) CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification.

The audiences differ. FedRAMP speaks to cloud vendors. CMMC speaks to defense contractors and their subs.

What does FedRAMP cover?

FedRAMP covers cloud products and services sold to federal agencies. (FedRAMP) It standardizes how agencies assess, authorize, and monitor their security. (FedRAMP authorization process)

Its controls come from NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, the federal control catalog. Vendors meet one of three baselines: Low with 156 controls, Moderate with 323, or High with 410. (FedRAMP)

Authorization comes through an agency or through the FedRAMP program itself. (FedRAMP authorization process) The old Joint Authorization Board path was replaced by Program Authorization. (FedRAMP FY25 update)

What does CMMC cover?

CMMC covers defense contractors, not cloud products. It is the Defense Department's framework for checking that contractors protect information. (DFARS 252.204-7021)

It has three levels. Level 1 is a self-assessment of basic safeguards for FCI. (DoD CIO, About CMMC) Level 2 covers the 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements that protect CUI. (DoD CIO, About CMMC) Level 3 adds more for the most sensitive programs.

FCI stands for Federal Contract Information. CUI stands for Controlled Unclassified Information.

Level 2 assessments are done by the company itself or by an independent C3PAO. (DFARS 252.204-7021) C3PAO stands for CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization. Level 3 assessments are done by the DIBCAC. (DFARS 252.204-7021) DIBCAC stands for the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center.

How do the two programs connect?

Here is the link. A defense contract clause requires outside cloud providers to meet FedRAMP Moderate security when they handle covered defense information. (DFARS 252.204-7012)

So a CMMC contractor that uses cloud services needs those services to meet the FedRAMP Moderate bar. The contractor proves CMMC. The cloud vendor proves FedRAMP. Each proof covers its own side.

The work also overlaps. Both programs want access control, logging, and encryption. Evidence collected for one often helps the other.

Which one should you start with?

Start with the one your customer demands. Contracts name the requirement in plain text. Follow the money and the deadlines.

If your customer is the Defense Department and you handle CUI, CMMC Level 2 is the usual target. (DoD CIO, About CMMC) If you sell cloud software to agencies, start with FedRAMP.

Either way, build evidence habits early. Collect proof as you work, not the week before. Both programs punish last-minute scrambles.

Teams working toward CMMC use PolicyCortex to collect live Azure configuration evidence mapped to NIST 800-171 controls.

Sources

Next step

Sorting out which program applies to you? Check your contracts first, then start collecting evidence.

See how PolicyCortex collects evidence for both programs at once