Budgeting for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Consultants within your cybersecurity plan necessitates an in-depth understanding of the various components of not only the certification process, but also the many intricacies of cybersecurity itself. The objective is to ensure that you are adequately investing in the appropriate resources to safeguard your business against potential cyber threats, whilst also meeting the regulatory requirements for doing business with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

Firstly, it is crucial to understand what CMMC is. CMMC is a unifying standard for the implementation of cybersecurity across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), and organizations that deal with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) are required to obtain this certification. The CMMC model consists of five maturity levels, ranging from “Basic Cybersecurity Hygiene” to “Advanced”. These levels are cumulative, meaning businesses must demonstrate competence in each level to progress to the next.

The first step in the strategic budgeting process is understanding your business requirements in relation to each CMMC level. This can be a complex task, requiring a comprehensive knowledge of your current cybersecurity infrastructure, the CUI your organization handles, and how this relates to the various CMMC levels.

Next, it's time to consider the consultants. CMMC consultants are experts who can guide your business through the certification process. They possess the technical and regulatory knowledge required to both implement and maintain the necessary cybersecurity measures. They can also offer valuable insight on the most cost-effective and efficient means of achieving certification.

The costs of hiring a CMMC consultant can vary widely depending on the size of your organization, the complexity of your existing cyber infrastructure, the level of CMMC certification required, and many other factors. These costs can be categorized into two primary areas: the initial investment and ongoing maintenance.

The initial investment covers the cost of the consultant’s services for the implementation phase. This includes the initial assessment of your cybersecurity infrastructure, the development of a cybersecurity plan, the implementation of necessary security measures, and the application for certification.

The ongoing maintenance costs are the expenses associated with maintaining your cybersecurity infrastructure to meet the required CMMC level, which includes regular audits, updates to security measures, and potential re-certification costs. These expenses need to be built into your annual cybersecurity budget.

In terms of the strategic aspect of budgeting, this lies in the balance between cost and level of certification. For instance, achieving level 3 certification will cost significantly more than level 1, but it will also deliver greater protection against cyber threats and enable your organization to deal with a wider range of CUI.

The best approach for your organization will depend on its unique requirements. For instance, a smaller organization handling less complex CUI may conclude that level 1 certification is sufficient. However, a larger organization with more complex CUI may consider the investment in a higher level of certification as not only a requirement for doing business with the DoD, but also as a strategic investment in their cybersecurity infrastructure, potentially preventing costly data breaches in the future.

In conclusion, the strategic budgeting for CMMC consultants involves a deep understanding of your organization's unique cybersecurity requirements, a clear comprehension of the CMMC levels and what each entails, and a careful consideration of the trade-offs between cost and level of certification. In this ever-evolving cyber landscape, investing in a CMMC consultant is not only a regulatory obligation but a strategic move to safeguard your business against potentially devastating cyber threats.