CMMC Compliance May be Required

Cybersecurity solutions for small defense contractor business abstract background

If You Want to Maintain Eligibility for Government Contracts, CMMC Compliance May be Required

Written by Solutions Ignited for DefenseX on 6 January 2026.

If you are a contractor for the U.S. Department of War, then you already know the government changes rules all the time. But CMMC is different. This is not just paperwork to file, this requires a dedicated effort. This is now the gate you must pass through to keep or win contracts.

If you are a small or mid-sized government contractor in a manufacturing, engineering, logistics, IT, or professional services firm, then this law will likely feel like it is aimed directly at you. There is a lot of information but this article and the CMMC Experts at DefenseX have the lofty goal of reaching as many small and mid-sized companies as possible to offer them a smooth journey.

This article is based on the YouTube interview with a Lead CMMC Certified Assessor, Cristian, who is also the Director of Operations at DefenseX. He is generous enough to share his insights from years of experience and top-tier of cybersecurity certifications. YouTube: CMMC Process Interview with Certified Lead Assessor

What CMMC Really Is (Without the Tech Speak)

Think of CMMC like OSHA for your data.

CMMC is the Department of Defense’s new regulation that sets the minimum cybersecurity standard defense contractors must meet. Just like OSHA sets safety rules for workplaces, CMMC sets safety rules for government data and especially drawings, emails, specs, pricing, contracts, and anything labeled CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information).

Those rules come from NIST 800-171, which defines 110 security requirements that businesses must follow if they touch sensitive DoD information.

The Three CMMC Levels and Why Level 2 Is the Big One

There are three CMMC levels:

Level 1 – For companies handling FCI (Federal Contract Information)
Level 2 – For companies handling CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information)
Level 3 – Rare, extremely sensitive defense work

Here’s what matters:

The DoW estimates that over 80,000 companies must meet CMMC Level 2. Level 2 requires all 110 of the NIST 800-171 controls. That means manufacturers, engineering firms, IT providers, consultants, and most defense suppliers fall into Level 2.

If you have:

drawings
engineering specs
designs
contracts
technical emails
pricing
performance reports

Then you almost certainly handle CUI.

Can You Achieve CMMC Level 2 Yourself?

Short answer: No.

For 99% of defense contractors, it’s not realistic to self-implement CMMC Level 2.

The 110 controls are complex. They require specialized cybersecurity knowledge. Even IT companies fail when they try to do this in-house. In real audits, assessors almost never see a company that successfully implemented Level 2 on their own.

Trying to DIY CMMC is like trying to self-certify your own building for engineering standards before a government safety inspection (and you are not an architect or engineer). The risk is too high and professional services are the right move.

Misconception: Your Current Microsoft 365 Is Compliant

This is where most contractors get blindsided. If you use:

Outlook
Teams
SharePoint
OneDrive

You are probably on Commercial Office 365 but that is not allowed for CUI.

CUI must be stored in a FedRAMP-approved government cloud, usually GCC High. That’s why contractors must perform a migration: moving their email, files, and Teams into the compliant government version of Microsoft 365. To users, it feels the same.

What a Real CMMC Implementation Looks Like

A defense contractor recently came in with:

Unmanaged computers
No cybersecurity structure
Standard Office 365

After working with DefenseX, a CMMC-specialized MSP:

They were migrated to GCC High
Their systems were secured
All 110 controls were implemented

They were fully migrated in one week, CMMC Level 2 compliant in 30 days, and ready for certification in under 45 days. That is what professional implementation looks like and what any reasonable business owner or office manager should consider a gold standard.

Why an MSP is Required for CMMC

A normal IT company cannot do this. Most MSPs are not built for CMMC Level 2 because it requires specialized security engineering and compliance expertise. CMMC-specialized MSPs exist to manage the secure cloud, lock down workstations, monitor compliance, maintain the 110 controls, and keep companies compliant long-term. CMMC is not a “pass once and forget” certificate, it requires continuous performance of all security controls.

What Does This Actually Cost?

Most business owners are shocked by our pricing. A full CMMC-compliant, managed environment typically runs about $150 per user per month, which includes:

Secure GCC High cloud
Workstation security
Full CMMC implementation
All policies and documentation
Ongoing monitoring
Audit support

That’s often less than what companies already pay IT systems that are not compliant. The current subscription prices for Level 2 MSP Services offered by DefenseX are competitive.

Bottom Line for Government Contractors

If you service a Contract with the DoW/DoD:

CMMC is mandatory
Level 2 is where most companies fall into
DIY does not work
Commercial Microsoft 365 is not allowed
You must migrate to GCC High
You need a CMMC-specialized MSP

The companies that move now will keep winning contracts and the ones that delay or fail to pass and audit will be locked out. CMMC is no longer a cybersecurity problem. It is now a business survival requirement. Do not put it off, reach out to us for a consultation.

Don’t wait until it’s written into your next contract.

Start securing your path to CMMC compliance today — before opportunities pass you by.

👉 Contact DefenseX to schedule your CMMC readiness consultation.