Compare
DoW IL2 / IL4 vs CMMC: how they differ, side by side
How DoW IL2 / IL4 and CMMC differ: what each is, who owes it, when it applies and who enforces it.
01 / Side by side
DoW IL2 / IL4 and CMMC, side by side
| DoW IL2 / IL4 | CMMC | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | federal standard | regulation |
| Jurisdiction | United States (federal) | United States (federal) |
| Legal force | Binding on DoD components; applies to cloud providers through DISA authorization and contracts | Binding on DoD contractors through contract |
| Status | In force | Partly in force |
| Who owes it | Commercial cloud service providers seeking a DoD Provisional Authorization, and DoD mission owners hosting DoD data in commercial cloud. | Defense contractors and subcontractors that process, store or transmit Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on contractor systems. |
| Enforcement | DISA Authorizing Official (PA issuance, conditions, revocation) and DoD component authorizing officials; contract remedies. No fines. | DoD contracting officers (no award without required status); false affirmations can bring False Claims Act liability (treble damages plus per-claim penalties) and suspension or debarment. |
02 / DoW IL2 / IL4
What DoW IL2 / IL4 requires
Applies to AI systems as to any system: commercial AI services handling DoD CUI need at least an IL4 Provisional Authorization, and IL2 only suits public or non-critical data.
- 01IL2: hold a FedRAMP Moderate or High authorization for the cloud service offering.
- 02IL4: implement FedRAMP Moderate controls plus DISA parameters and the SRG's FedRAMP+ controls (Table D-1).
- 03IL4: connect through a DoD-approved Boundary Cloud Access Point and use DoD PKI authentication.
- 04Obtain a DoD Provisional Authorization from the DISA Authorizing Official, then the mission owner's ATO.
- 05Maintain continuous monitoring, including 30/90/180-day vulnerability remediation and annual assessments.
03 / CMMC
What CMMC requires
Applies to AI systems as to any system: AI tools, models or cloud AI services that process FCI or CUI fall inside the assessed boundary and must meet the same controls.
- 01Level 1: annually self-assess against the 15 FAR 52.204-21 safeguarding requirements and affirm in SPRS.
- 02Level 2: meet the 110 NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 requirements, by self-assessment or C3PAO assessment every three years.
- 03Level 3: hold Level 2 certification plus a government (DIBCAC) assessment of 24 NIST SP 800-172 requirements.
- 04Post results in SPRS and have a senior official affirm compliance annually.
- 05Give the contracting officer the CMMC unique identifiers (UIDs) for systems handling FCI or CUI and report any changes to them during performance (DFARS 252.204-7021(e), NOV 2025).
- 06Flow down the required CMMC level to subcontractors handling FCI or CUI.
Optional evidence · where Planisphere fits
Keep a record anyone can check
When your team meets a duty, Planisphere can seal the event it reports as a receipt.
A disclosure shown, a review signed, a model change approved: the event your system reports.
The event becomes a sealed receipt, dated and attributed to whoever is signed in.
Paste the receipt into Verify. No account or key.
A record supports your compliance evidence process. It is not a legal finding or a certification. Systems that call Planisphere's gate API can also hold or refuse an action before it runs.
SOURCES
Go back to the source
DISA / DoD Cyber Exchange
Federal Register
RELATED
Related: DoW IL2 / IL4: the full guide · CMMC: the full guide · CMMC vs DoW IL2 / IL4 · All comparisons