The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 framework categorizes assets based on their interaction with Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). In a CMMC Level 1 self-assessment, assets are classified based on whether they process, store, or transmit FCI.
Asset Categories as per CMMC 2.0:
FCI Assets – These assets process, store, or transmit FCI and must meet CMMC Level 1 security requirements (17 practices from FAR 52.204-21).
CUI Assets – These assets handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and are subject to CMMC Level 2 requirements, aligned with NIST SP 800-171.
Specialized Assets – Includes IoT devices, Operational Technology (OT), Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE), and test equipment. These are often categorized separately due to their specific cybersecurity requirements.
Out-of-Scope Assets – Assets that do not process, store, or transmit FCI or CUI. These do not require compliance with CMMC practices.
Government-Issued Assets – These are assets provided by the government for contract-specific purposes, often requiring compliance based on government policies.
Why the Correct Answer is C. Out-of-Scope Assets?
The question specifies that the identified asset does not process, store, or transmit FCI.
According to CMMC 2.0 guidelines, only assets that handle FCI or CUI are subject to security controls.
Assets that are physically located within an OSC’s facility but do not interact with FCI or CUI fall into the "Out-of-Scope Assets" category.
These assets do not require CMMC-specific cybersecurity controls, as they have no impact on the security of FCI or CUI.
Relevant CMMC 2.0 References:
CMMC Scoping Guide (Nov 2021) – Defines out-of-scope assets as those that are within an OSC’s environment but have no interaction with FCI or CUI.
CMMC 2.0 Level 1 Guide – Only requires security controls on FCI assets, meaning assets that do not process, store, or transmit FCI are out of scope.
CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guide – Identifies the classification of assets in an OSC’s environment to determine compliance requirements.
Final Justification:
Since the asset does not process, store, or transmit FCI, it does not fall under "FCI Assets" or "Specialized Assets." It is also not a government-issued asset. Therefore, the correct classification under CMMC 2.0 is Out-of-Scope Assets (C).
