CMMC, or the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, is a unified standard by the Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure robust cybersecurity practices across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Its purpose is to protect sensitive unclassified DoD information (Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)) from persistent cyber threats.

DefenseX can be incredibly helpful to your organization with your CMMC journey. Defending on the compliance offering selected, DefenseX can help in various ways. With managed implementations, such as our MSP service, DefenseX will implement and work with you to achieve 100% coverage of all CMMC requirements, doing the majority of it on your behalf. With flexible consultation services, DefenseX can guide you through the application of CMMC requirements for a particular segment of your organization as needed. DefenseX can also sell you licenses for one of the most popular and capable FedRAMP authorized cloud services: Microsoft M365 GCC High.

Yes, CMMC requirements flow down to subcontractors who process, store, or transmit FCI and CUI in support of a DoD contract. Prime contractors are responsible for ensuring their entire supply chain meets the required CMMC level.

Anything is possible! Although most organizations that achieve CMMC level 2 compliance independently have ample internal resources, such as pre-existing IT, networking, and cybersecurity departments. This is a common approach for large businesses, who often require only flexible consultations to aid their existing resources. As for small or medium-sized businesses, it is extremely rare and difficult to achieve compliance without external professional help. CMMC-specialized cybersecurity compliance is a very specialized skillset which is not easily acquired.

Non-compliance will result in ineligibility for new DoD contract awards that contain CMMC requirements. It can also lead to existing contracts being lost and potential legal risks under the False Claims Act.

You can define a "scope" for your CMMC assessment by creating a secure boundary around the specific systems and assets that store, process, or transmit CUI. This approach is commonly called an “Enclave” and can be an excellent approach for organizations who do business broadly beyond the DoD. This can help manage the cost and complexity of compliance. If implemented expertly, users will not “feel” like they are in separate IT systems and the configuration can be very effective. DefenseX has ample experience with these types of scenarios.

Level 1 self-assessments are required annually. Level 2 and Level 3 certifications are valid for three years, but require an annual affirmation of continued compliance by a senior company official.

Your required CMMC level depends on the type of information you handle for the Department of Defense (DoD).

• CMMC Level 1 (Foundational): Required if you only handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) — basic, non-public contract details like schedules, pricing, or statements of work.

• CMMC Level 2 (Advanced): Required if you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), such as technical drawings, engineering data, manufacturing specs, or defense-related research. Most manufacturers, engineers, IT providers, and DoD service contractors fall here.

• CMMC Level 3 (Expert): Applies to companies supporting mission-critical or national security programs with highly sensitive CUI and deeper DoD system integration.
  

Your exact level will be stated in the contract solicitation (RFP/RFQ), but reviewing whether your work involves FCI or CUI lets you plan ahead.

Bottom line:

• FCI only → Level 1

• Any CUI → Level 2 (third-party assessment required)

• Critical national security work → Level 3

• DefenseX helps contractors identify their required level, map CUI, and prepare for certification efficiently and confidently.

FedRAMP and CMMC are related—but they serve different roles.

• FedRAMP applies to the cloud service provider you use.

• CMMC applies to your organization and how you protect DoD data inside that cloud.
  

FedRAMP (Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program) ensures cloud platforms meet U.S. government security standards based on NIST 800-53. Cloud services are authorized at Low, Moderate, or High, with Moderate and High required for handling CUI.

CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the Department of Defense framework that ensures contractors properly protect FCI and CUI, based largely on NIST 800-171.

How they connect: FedRAMP secures the cloud infrastructure. CMMC ensures you configure and use that infrastructure securely.

What this means in practice:

• If you handle CUI, your cloud environment must be FedRAMP Moderate or High.

• Platforms like Microsoft 365 GCC High, Azure Government, and AWS GovCloud meet this requirement.

• Commercial cloud offerings (like standard Microsoft 365) are not FedRAMP authorized.
  

Important: Using a FedRAMP-authorized cloud does not make you CMMC compliant by itself. You are still responsible for access controls, MFA, device security, policies, and documentation under CMMC.

Bottom line: FedRAMP provides the secure foundation. CMMC ensures your organization uses it correctly.

DefenseX helps contractors choose the right cloud, map inherited FedRAMP controls, configure NIST 800-171 requirements, and prepare for CMMC certification with confidence.

CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the Department of Defense’s requirement for protecting sensitive defense information across its supply chain. It applies to all contractors and subcontractors that handle DoD data.

CMMC covers:

• Federal Contract Information (FCI)

• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
  

It organizes cybersecurity requirements into three levels:

• Level 1 (Foundational): FCI only

• Level 2 (Advanced): CUI

• Level 3 (Expert): Critical national security data
  

Why it matters: CMMC is becoming a condition of doing business with the DoD. Contractors must meet the required level—often with third-party verification—before being eligible for certain contracts.

Risks of ignoring CMMC:

• ❌ Ineligibility for future DoD contracts

• ⚠️ Potential False Claims Act liability for misrepresenting compliance

• 🔗 Loss of trust with prime contractors and supply-chain partners

• 🔓 Increased exposure to cyber incidents like ransomware and data loss
  

Bottom line: CMMC protects both your business and national defense. Preparing early reduces risk, avoids last-minute scrambles, and positions your company as a trusted, compliant partner.

DefenseX helps contractors identify their CMMC level, close security gaps, and prepare documentation so they’re ready before CMMC appears in their next contract.