On August 26, NYSERNet hosted a Fireside Chat focused on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and its impact on higher education and research institutions. This engaging discussion featured insights from Emilyann Fogarty, NYSERNet CISO, along with guest speakers Derrich Phillips, President & Founder of Aspire Cyber, and Laura Raderman, ISO Policy and Compliance Coordinator at Carnegie Mellon University.
What We Covered
The panel explored timely and practical issues related to CMMC:
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Why CMMC matters to campuses – particularly for federally funded research, data protections, and Department of Defense–related projects.
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Understanding contract obligations – how to interpret what you’re subject to and avoid compliance pitfalls.
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Scoping your environment – strategies for identifying Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), inventorying assets, and setting boundaries for assessment.
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Learning from peers – experiences from higher ed institutions already navigating the CMMC process.
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Assessment preparation – what to expect from auditors and how to build a plan for long-term compliance.
Access the Resource
Ready to strengthen your CMMC readiness?
Fill out the form below to download The CMMC Resource Guide: Essential Tools for Higher Ed & Research Institutions.
