Category: CMMC

As the Department of Defense (DoD) rolls out the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), third-party validation is becoming mandatory for all contractors in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). To achieve certification, organizations must undergo an official assessment conducted by a provider with C3PAO Certification, a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization recognized by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber AB).

By 2025, all DoD contractors will need to be CMMC certified, and only C3PAO-certified assessors can perform the evaluations. This guide covers everything you need to know about C3PAOs, from what they do, how they’re accredited, and how to prepare for a CMMC assessment. (more…)

 To work with the Department of Defense (DoD), organizations must follow strict guidelines for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). A key part of this process is adhering to the ISOO CUI Registry, which provides standardized rules and definitions for handling CUI.

The ISOO CUI Registry helps organizations:

• Understand the purpose and scope of CUI
• Ensure stakeholders follow DoD Instruction 5200.48
• Implement security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171
• Meet the CMMC requirements for DoD compliance

By following the ISOO CUI Registry, organizations can confidently align with DoD standards and protect sensitive information across all operations. (more…)

A CMMC gap assessment is the first step toward winning and keeping Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. It’s not just about passing an audit; it’s about proving your organization can safeguard the sensitive data that supports national security.

This proactive diagnostic identifies how closely your current cybersecurity posture aligns with the CMMC 2.0 framework and pinpoints the changes needed before you certify.

Finalized in December 2024 and enforced starting January 2025, CMMC 2.0 is now appearing in new DoD contracts. Knowing your compliance gaps now isn’t just smart, it’s a strategic advantage. (more…)

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC certification) is designed to simplify compliance for companies handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across the Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain. For a detailed explanation of what qualifies as CUI, refer to the Organization Index Grouping of Defense.

Currently, Draft v0.7 of the CMMC is available, with the final version (v1.0) expected in January 2020. Companies are encouraged to review v0.7 to begin preparing for the level of DoD CMMC certification required for project bids.

Draft v0.7 is accessible online in its entirety. Below is a concise summary of its contents, along with insights from Katie Arrington, Special Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition for Cyber, as presented in her webinar “What Contractors Need to Know About DoD’s CMMC” (July 17, 2019). Note: You must be signed in to view the webinar.

During the webinar with the Professional Services Council, Katie Arrington highlighted that losses from inadequate cybersecurity controls leading to CUI breaches amount to over $600 billion annually. While achieving DoD CMMC certification may incur costs, the long-term savings outweigh these expenses. Additionally, the government considers CMMC certification costs as allowable expenses in its bidding process. The Request For Information (RFI) and Request For Proposal (RFP) Sections L and M outline the required level of CMMC certification, which can determine eligibility for project bids.

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If your organization plans to work with the Department of Defense (DoD), understanding CMMC 2.0 requirements is the first step toward achieving compliance. These requirements are designed to protect sensitive federal information and are organized into three maturity levels, each with increasing cybersecurity expectations:

Level 1 – Foundational
Focuses on basic safeguarding practices to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI).

Level 2 – Advanced
Includes more detailed requirements aligned with NIST SP 800-171 to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Level 3 – Expert
Represents the highest maturity level, emphasizing advanced cybersecurity practices and alignment with DoD’s most stringent security requirements. This beginner’s guide explains what each CMMC 2.0 level means and outlines how organizations can start preparing for compliance.
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Companies seeking lucrative contracts with the US Department of Defense (DoD) need to keep their cyber defenses up to date. That’s why the final two CMMC Level requirements focus mainly on advanced persistent threat solutions, addressing the biggest and most complex threats to the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) sector.  (more…)

Most organizations fail CMMC compliance at Level 2 not because their security controls are weak, but because their documentation doesn’t clearly prove the controls exist, function correctly, or are consistently followed.
Many teams underestimate this critical detail.
Documentation isn’t just “paperwork” , for CMMC compliance, it is the audit itself. If you can’t show a repeatable process, policy, or record on demand, assessors will likely mark controls as Not Met.
In this article, we’ll explain why documentation is often the silent deal-breaker for CMMC Level 2 and share practical steps to fix it quickly.
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The U.S. military and its extensive network of contractors make up one of the most critical infrastructures in the country. Any threat to Department of Defense (DoD) information, systems, or resources can put national security at risk, both at home and abroad.

To reduce these risks, the DoD requires strict security standards across its workforce and contractor base. DoD information assurance awareness training is a foundational requirement designed to ensure personnel understand how to protect sensitive DoD information from cyber threats, misuse, and human error. This article explains what the training involves, who must complete it, and why it matters. (more…)

For Department of Defense (DoD) entities and contractors, annual information awareness training plays a critical role in protecting sensitive data and reducing cybersecurity risks across critical infrastructure. As cyber threats continue to evolve, untrained personnel remain one of the most common causes of security incidents.

Failing to address risks to sensitive information, especially within systems supporting national defense—can lead to data breaches, operational disruptions, and serious national security consequences. Awareness training helps ensure employees understand their security responsibilities, recognize threats, and respond appropriately. Read on to learn why annual training is essential and how it supports DoD compliance requirements. (more…)

While tragedies in the aerospace industry are rare, they pose a significant risk to national security. To address these threats, the industry has implemented rigorous cybersecurity standards designed specifically for aerospace systems.
One of the most recognized of these is the Aerospace Cybersecurity Standard, formally known as NAS 9933. Understanding this standard is essential for aerospace organizations, contractors, and suppliers, as it guides how sensitive data and critical systems are protected. (more…)