Compliance Standards

As CMMC enforcement ramps up across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), contractors are racing to align their cybersecurity practices with new requirements. One often overlooked, yet critical factor driving compliance is the Federal Acquisition Regulation, specifically 48 CFR. This section of the Code of Federal Regulations governs procurement across federal agencies, and its impact on the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC 2.0) is both direct and far-reaching. For organizations bidding on or maintaining Department of Defense (DoD) contracts, understanding the interplay between 48 CFR and CMMC 2.0 isn’t optional, it’s essential.

CMMC-AB plays a central role in how organizations achieve compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the Department of Defense’s framework for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

CMMC will be required for organizations that contract with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). While these contracts can be highly valuable, they require meeting strict cybersecurity standards. To achieve certification, organizations must be assessed by a qualified third-party assessor that is accredited by the CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB).

In this article, we explain who the CMMC-AB is, what it does, and how it fits into the broader CMMC ecosystem, including the other key stakeholders responsible for enforcing and maintaining CMMC requirements.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a security assessment framework created by the Department of Defense (DoD) to protect sensitive unclassified information. It evaluates how well defense contractors and their suppliers meet key cybersecurity standards. Originally introduced in 2018, the CMMC framework has been updated several times, but its core mission remains the same: safeguarding sensitive defense data.

Any company that holds DoD contracts or works with defense suppliers must achieve CMMC certification. If you’re new to CMMC, you likely have questions about how it works and what steps your business needs to take. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to prepare for CMMC compliance successfully.

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) handles some of the nation’s most sensitive information, making it a prime target for cyberattacks. Not only is the DoD itself at risk, but its extensive network of contractors and partners also faces serious cybersecurity threats. To protect national security, all organizations working with the DoD must meet strict cybersecurity standards. This is where CMMC Certification comes in. Soon, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) will be mandatory for every DoD contractor, including the 300,000+ companies that form the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and supply chain.

Understanding the challenges of attaining CMMC Certification is critical for companies that want to stay compliant and secure. Let’s explore the top obstacles and how organizations can prepare.

If your company wants to win contracts with the US Department of Defense (DoD) or other government agencies, staying on top of cybersecurity requirements is essential. Two key frameworks you need to understand are CMMC and FedRAMP, both set standards for protecting sensitive information, but they apply in different ways. In this article, we break down CMMC vs. FedRAMP to help you navigate regulatory compliance and secure government contracts with confidence.

Companies that want to work with the Department of Defense (DoD) must meet high cybersecurity standards to safeguard sensitive government data. As part of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), these companies are subject to rigorous compliance frameworks—including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) —and must prioritize CMMC readiness early in the process. A readiness assessment is often the first step in preparing for official CMMC certification. It evaluates existing controls, identifies gaps, and guides organizations toward full compliance.

This blog outlines how to conduct a CMMC readiness assessment in three critical steps:

1. Gauge existing controls against CMMC standards
2. Execute a mock CMMC audit based on Practices and Levels
3. Augment your security architecture to close any gaps