The Pentagon will unveil a new cybersecurity certification for its contractors this year, as Department of Defense officials concede the current rules governing how companies should secure sensitive information are not working.

The new standard is called the "Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification," or CMMC, according to Katie Arrington, special assistant for cybersecurity in the office of the under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment.

"Every single business doing any kind of business with the Department of Defense will need...