In today’s defense landscape, cyber threats don’t just target servers; they also affect supply chains, intellectual property and national security. For companies working with the Department of Defense (DoD), cybersecurity isn’t a suggestion. It’s a contract requirement. That’s where CMMC compliance comes in.
Whether you’re a prime contractor, a subcontractor, or a service provider somewhere in between, understanding CMMC is essential to your future with the DoD and your ability to safeguard sensitive information.
What Is CMMC Compliance?
CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. This is the DoD’s unified standard to ensure its contractors are protecting critical information. It builds on existing regulations like NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012, but adds a critical twist: independent verification.
No more self-attestation. No more hoping your MSP is “probably” doing what it should. If you touch Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you’ll need to prove and maintain cybersecurity compliance.
Breaking Down the 3 CMMC Levels (CMMC 2.0)
CMMC is structured into three levels of increasing cybersecurity maturity.
Level 1: Foundational
- ~15 basic cyber hygiene practices (like strong passwords and antivirus use)
- Annual self-assessment
- Required for companies handling FCI only
Level 2: Advanced
- ~110 practices from NIST SP 800-171
- Requires a triennial third-party audit by a certified assessor (C3PAO)
- Required if you handle CUI
- Most applicable to mid-sized contractors and subcontractors
Level 3: Expert
- Advanced requirements pulled from NIST SP 800-172
- Requires a government-led assessment
- Reserved for companies working on critical national security programs
How to Get CMMC Certified
If you haven’t started the process yet, here’s what to expect:
- Identify the CMMC level required for your current or target DoD contracts.
- Conduct a detailed gap assessment using NIST SP 800-171A to benchmark your existing controls.
- For Level 2, submit your SPRS score to the Supplier Performance Risk System.
- Scope your IT environment carefully—many organizations are turning to CMMC-compliant enclaves to reduce audit risk and implementation complexity.
- Implement required technical and procedural controls, like multi-factor authentication, data encryption and formalized incident response plans.
- Schedule a certification audit with a C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization).
- Train your workforce. Many breaches result from social engineering and phishing attacks, not just technical flaws.
- Close any remaining gaps, pass the audit and maintain compliance through annual affirmations and triennial recertifications.
What Happens If You’re Not Compliant?
It’s simple: no certification, no contract.
Even if you’ve worked with the DoD for decades, you’ll no longer be eligible to bid on projects that require a certain CMMC level, and that will soon be most of them. In fact, contracts with CMMC clauses are already appearing in RFPs and RFIs, with full rollout expected by 2026–2028.
Beyond contract loss, non-compliance risks include:
- Breaches of CUI that damage U.S. defense efforts
- Investigations or fines for mishandling sensitive data
- Reputational damage with federal partners
- Potential False Claims Act liability, as shown in the 2025 case, where RTX (Raytheon) paid $8.4 million for alleged cybersecurity deficiencies
CMMC requirements are also flowing down from primes to subs, meaning even if the DoD doesn’t require certification yet, your partner might.
How Atlas Tech Can Help
At Atlas Tech, we know that cybersecurity isn’t just technical; it’s mission-critical. With over two decades of experience supporting secure communications and IT infrastructures for the DoD, our team is fully equipped to help clients confidently meet CMMC standards.
- Our processes are certified under ISO 27001, the global standard for information security.
- We’ve supported C4I and DHS infrastructure with the same level of rigor CMMC now requires.
- And we walk the walk. We’re not just compliant, we help others get there too.
CMMC isn’t just a box to check. It’s an opportunity to build trust, differentiate your services and secure your place in the defense supply chain. As the digital battlefield grows more complex, your cybersecurity posture could be the reason you win (or lose) your next contract.
Are you looking for a partner who gets CMMC? We’re here. Are you looking for a career where you’ll help secure the future? We’re growing.
A Partner for the FutureFor defense departments and military contractors aiming to stay ahead in the digital arms race, it is vital to stay updated on the latest trends and digital advancements. Atlas Tech is ready to help you do that with full support from Atlas Subject Matter Experts on the cloud, cybersecurity, engineering, IT modernization, system integration and program management solutions. Contact us today to learn how our Enterprise IT solutions can advance your mission.
