Capella Space Achieves CMMC Level 2 Certification, Strengthening Cybersecurity for Government and Commercial Missions
Capella Space Corp., an innovative American space technology company providing satellite solutions for both government and commercial applications, has announced a significant milestone in its cybersecurity efforts: the company has achieved Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2. This achievement authorizes Capella Space to store, process, and transmit Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) for U.S. government contracts, further enhancing the security of sensitive data in line with the latest standards for federal contractors.
The certification process, which included a thorough evaluation by Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS) as a Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO), validates Capella’s capability to manage CUI securely while leveraging its existing cybersecurity infrastructure. This milestone strengthens Capella’s standing as a trusted partner for U.S. government missions and extends its commitment to safeguarding sensitive information in its satellite operations.
A Commitment to Cybersecurity and Compliance
In a statement celebrating the achievement, Frank Backes, CEO of Capella Space, emphasized the significance of the certification, saying, “This achievement reflects Capella’s commitment to protecting customer information through an aerospace industry-leading cybersecurity program. It affirms our ability to offer a reliable and secure platform not only for U.S. government missions but also to allied nations and our partners abroad.”
Capella’s successful attainment of CMMC Level 2 compliance demonstrates the company’s continued dedication to providing secure, high-quality satellite imagery and data analytics services while adhering to stringent security protocols required by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).
The CMMC framework is part of a broader initiative by the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that its contractors are capable of safeguarding sensitive unclassified information. This certification program is intended to enforce the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) that the DoD shares with its contractors. For contractors like Capella Space that handle sensitive DoD information, achieving specific CMMC levels is a prerequisite to participating in government contracts.
As part of the CMMC Level 2 certification process, Capella Space demonstrated compliance with 110 security controls outlined in the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) SP 800-171 Revision 2. These controls cover a wide range of areas, including access control, incident response, risk management, and network security. Capella’s rigorous adherence to these standards underscores the company’s ability to protect sensitive data throughout its operations.
Collaboration with Industry Leaders
The CMMC certification process was supported by a collaboration with Summit7, a leading provider of security and compliance solutions. Summit7’s expertise in managing complex cybersecurity programs was instrumental in assisting Capella Space in achieving this certification. The company worked closely with Capella to implement IT support systems that ensured the secure handling of sensitive data and facilitated a smooth certification process.
“Summit7 is thrilled to see Capella Space successfully complete their CMMC L2 for record assessment,” said Scott Edwards, CEO of Summit7. “Capella is a leader in space tech and has made the investment in securing their environment to ensure the security of their valuable intellectual property as well as the government data that they handle in execution of DoD and international partner missions. We are excited that our CMMC L2 Implementation for Office 365 GCC High and Azure Government, as well as our Managed IT support through Guardian for M365 and Azure, could be a part of this incredibly successful assessment.”
The collaboration with Summit7 has also ensured that Capella’s IT systems are fully compliant with the requirements set forth by the DoD’s cybersecurity standards, which are becoming increasingly vital in the defense and aerospace sectors.
CMMC Level 2 Certification: What It Means for Capella Space
CMMC Level 2 certification is a significant step for Capella Space as it continues to expand its footprint in the defense, aerospace, and commercial sectors. The CMMC framework is designed to ensure that all defense contractors can effectively protect sensitive data, minimizing the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches that could compromise national security.
Level 2 of the CMMC focuses on the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) by ensuring that contractors meet the required cybersecurity standards. Unlike Level 1, which primarily addresses basic safeguarding practices, Level 2 introduces more advanced security practices that align with the NIST SP 800-171 standards. These include access control measures, audit logging, encryption, and incident response procedures. For Capella Space, achieving CMMC Level 2 is a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to cybersecurity excellence, particularly as the company’s role in national defense missions and international projects continues to grow.
By securing the CMMC Level 2 certification, Capella is now authorized to handle sensitive government data securely, positioning itself as a trusted partner for future government contracts and missions. Moreover, the company is poised to provide its satellite imagery and analytics services to U.S. allies and international partners who require the highest levels of data security.
Capella Space: A Leader in Space Tech and Earth Observation
Founded in 2016, Capella Space is a trailblazer in the space technology sector, specializing in Earth observation through the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites. With a focus on delivering high-resolution, high-quality imagery, Capella provides critical data solutions to both government and commercial clients, helping organizations monitor, analyze, and respond to global challenges such as natural disasters, climate change, and security threats.
Capella Space’s innovative approach to satellite technology includes the design, building, and operation of a global constellation of SAR satellites. These satellites are equipped with cutting-edge sensors capable of delivering detailed imagery regardless of weather conditions or time of day. This unique capability is essential for providing real-time situational awareness for both government and commercial clients, particularly in remote or challenging environments.
In addition to its space-based technologies, Capella Space offers a fully automated tasking system that allows users to easily access and request satellite imagery for a wide range of applications. This streamlined process ensures that customers can quickly obtain the data they need, whether for disaster response, defense intelligence, or environmental monitoring.
Capella’s commitment to cybersecurity extends beyond compliance with CMMC requirements. The company maintains a robust cybersecurity infrastructure to safeguard not only its own intellectual property but also the sensitive data entrusted to it by clients. This infrastructure includes a secure, fully automated tasking system and advanced encryption techniques to ensure the integrity of customer data across all aspects of its operations.
The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity in Aerospace and Defense
The aerospace and defense industries are increasingly vulnerable to cyber threats due to the vast amounts of sensitive information exchanged between contractors and government agencies. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the tactics employed by cybercriminals and state-sponsored actors seeking to gain access to critical systems and data.
For companies like Capella Space that operate at the intersection of space technology and national security, maintaining the highest standards of cybersecurity is not just a regulatory requirement but a fundamental part of their business strategy. The company’s achievement of CMMC Level 2 certification represents a proactive approach to mitigating cybersecurity risks and ensuring that it can continue to support critical government missions, as well as those of allied nations.
The DoD’s CMMC program is part of a broader effort to establish a more resilient and secure supply chain for defense contractors. As a result, achieving CMMC certification is increasingly becoming a prerequisite for participating in defense-related contracts, including those that involve sensitive information and technologies such as satellite imagery and data analytics.
Conclusion: A Secure Future for Capella Space and Its Clients
Capella Space’s achievement of CMMC Level 2 certification marks a significant milestone in the company’s journey toward becoming a leader in both space technology and cybersecurity. With the increasing importance of secure data handling and compliance with government regulations, Capella’s robust cybersecurity practices will enable the company to continue delivering mission-critical services to the U.S. government, allied nations, and commercial clients.
As Capella Space moves forward, the company remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of security and compliance across its operations. The CMMC certification is just one example of the company’s ongoing efforts to protect customer data and ensure the success of its global satellite-based services. With this achievement, Capella Space is well-positioned to continue playing a key role in the evolving landscape of space technology, national security, and global data solutions.
