In today’s digital landscape, businesses engaged with the Department of Defense (DoD) must adhere to the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) to safeguard sensitive information. CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the DoD’s measure of assessing a company’s cybersecurity practices. Achieving and maintaining CMMC compliance can be particularly challenging for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs).
It’s a heavy lift to understand and manage the complexity of requirements for your specific business. This blog will detail the opportunities and challenges with CMMC compliance and how professionally managed IT services can help with navigating CMMC compliance, business growth, and security. Partnering with a Managed Service Provider (MSP), or better yet an Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), can provide the expertise and support necessary to navigate these challenges effectively. As an MSSP, NetGain’s security team and highly experienced cybersecurity professional are fully equipped to help such businesses in need.
CMMC Challenges Faced by SMBs
SMBs often encounter several obstacles in achieving CMMC compliance. With limited internal resources and budget constraints, you may lack the ability to have dedicated IT or cybersecurity personnel to implement and manage the necessary security controls. Furthermore, technical and procedural demands of CMMC can be overwhelming, especially for organizations without in-house expertise.
The cyber threat landscape is constantly changing. CMMC standards are continually being updated and keeping up with changes to CMMC standards requires ongoing attention and adaptation. Additionally, the costs for assessments, technology upgrades, and training for CMMC can be costly.
Achieving CMMC compliance should not be viewed as a one-time goal, but a step toward establishing a comprehensive cybersecurity posture. By integrating robust security practices into daily operations, businesses can better protect sensitive information, build trust with clients, and position themselves for sustainable growth.
CMMC Compliance for Federal Contracts
CMMC was implemented to protect
The CMMC framework is designed to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within the defense supply chain. From small businesses to enterprise organizations, there are a lot of hands that can hold and manage federal contract work. CUI is sensitive but unclassified information that, if disclosed, could compromise national security. Standardizing cybersecurity practices for contractors and subcontractors, CMMC aims to mitigate risks associated with unauthorized access to such data.
CMMC is a required compliance standard for many industries, such as manufacturing organizations. Manufacturers producing components or products for the DoD must adhere to CMMC requirements ensure their systems can properly protect sensitive information.
CMMC Levels Defined
There are three levels to CMMC:
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Level 1: Focuses on basic cybersecurity practices to protect FCI, and self-assessments are accepted for this level.
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Level 2: Aligns with NIST SP 800-171 and is a level organizations managing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) should attain.
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Level 3: This top level is for contractors working on critical DoD programs. It requires compliance with NIST 800-171 and additional controls from NIST SP 800-172.
Each level of CMMC compliance builds upon the previous, requiring more stringent controls and processes at each progressive level.
Importance of CMMC Compliance
CMMC his now a required security compliance
measure for any business interesting in holding federal contract work. Beyond meeting federal requirements, CMMC compliance helps strengthen an organization’s overall cybersecurity posture and operational resilience. Businesses that proactively complete and maintain compliance auditing position themselves as trustworthy partners, capable of keeping sensitive information secure. This not only reduces risk but also offers a competitive edge in winning government contracts and standing out in a crowded marketplace.
Risks of Being Non-Compliant
Failure to comply with CMMC standards can result in immediate loss of eligibility for Department of Defense contracts. Without their DoD contracts, businesses can lose a major portion (or all) of their revenue stream. Beyond disqualification, non-compliance significantly increases the risk of security incidents or data mishandling. A security incident can lead to costly downtime, regulatory fines, and damaged client trust. The financial fallout from a breach often includes recovery expenses, legal fees, and lost business opportunities. Furthermore, organizations may face legal consequences or government penalties for failing to meet contractual or regulatory cybersecurity obligations.
Scaling CMMS Requirements for Federal Contracts
CMMC is as a powerful trust-building tool for clients and partners in the federal sector, showcasing a company’s commitment to protecting sensitive information. To maximize its impact, organizations should integrate compliance efforts into their broader security culture. Educating employees, conducting regular risk assessments, and aligning IT security strategies with long-term business goals all foster a stronger security culture. While essential for defense contractors, CMMC compliance also benefits industries like aerospace, engineering, and technology—especially those handling CUI or seeking to grow within the federal marketplace.
Leveraging Managed IT Services
Managed IT services can play a crucial role in helping businesses become CMMC compliant. MSP’s provide the tools and expertise necessary to move beyond mere compliance to proactive and resilient security strategies. By aligning cybersecurity practices with evolving compliance standards, these providers ensure both security and scalability—freeing internal teams to focus on growth while maintaining a strong defense against cyber threats.
Case Study: Federal Contracting Company Achieves Compliance & Growth with NetGain’s Managed IT Services
Recently, NetGain worked directly a local contracting business, Semper Tek, to help them understand and achieve CMMC compliance.
Semper Tek faced several technology and security challenges:
- Navigating compliance and federal cybersecurity regulations for current and new contract work
- Managing IT infrastructure as a fast growing organization with multiple remote job sites
- Resolving IT support inefficiencies that impacted productivity
As Semper Tek’s operations expanded to multiple states, they
increased their federal contract work. Their existing IT
infrastructure became a barrier to growth. Semper Tek’s compliance with cybersecurity standards, specifically
CMMC, was essential for securing and maintaining government contracts. With staff spread across diverse
and often remote locations, Semper Tek needed reliable IT support to address many needs. Prior experiences with support teams that lacked knowledge of their systems led to frequent disruptions and prolonged downtime, impacting productivity.
NetGain helped Semper Tek navigate complex cybersecurity requirements to achieve and maintain CMMC compliance. Semper Tek is now a stronger competitor for federal contracts, supporting their mission to serve more military and
veteran communities. Needing scalable solutions, NetGain initiated a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)-to-laptop migration and a server migration project. By upgrading and stabilizing their systems, Semper Tek could operate efficiently in remote locations and adapt their IT infrastructure to support growth. With a reliable team of engineers, NetGain ensured Semper Tek received consistent and informed technical support. This team-based structure eliminated the learning curve experienced with other providers, allowing for rapid issue resolution and smoother day-to-day operations.
To learn more about NetGain’s work with Semper Tek and to download the full case study, click here!
