Supporting DoD’s Cyber Operations with CMMC 2.0
On April 10, 2025, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced plans for retaliatory cyber operations in response to Chinese cyberattacks, highlighting the critical need for robust cybersecurity within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0, with its Level 2 requirements for contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), is central to […]
ODNI’s 2025 Threat Assessment and CMMC 2.0
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its 2025 Annual Threat Assessment on March 25, 2025, spotlighting escalating cyber risks to the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), driven by state-sponsored actors and sophisticated attack methods. For Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 plays […]
CMMC 2.0 Assessments Launch – Be Prepared
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC2.0) assessments officially launched in Q1 2025, following the final rule’s effective date of December 16, 2024. With Level 1 self-assessments for contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Level 2 third-party assessments by Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) for those managing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) now underway, Department of […]
FY2025 NDAA – CMMC 2.0 and AI Integration
The Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed into law on December 23, 2024, allocates $895.2 billion to the Department of Defense (DoD) and mandates the procurement of artificial intelligence (AI) systems to advance national security. This legislation reinforces the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0’s critical role in securing AI-driven systems, requiring contractors to achieve compliance to support the DoD’s digital transformation. For DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), integrating AI while meeting CMMC Level 2’s 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls is essential. This blog post explores the NDAA’s implications, highlights the intersection of AI and CMMC 2.0, and provides practical strategies to build secure IT infrastructure for AI operations and achieve certification.
Defending Against Cyberattacks with CMMC 2.0
In December 2024, China’s acknowledged cyberattacks on U.S. infrastructure underscored the escalating threat to the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), amplifying the urgency of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0. For Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), CMMC Level 2’s third-party assessments, starting in Q1 2025, are critical to countering advanced, state-sponsored threats. This blog post examines the nature of these cyberattacks, highlights the role of CMMC 2.0 in strengthening cybersecurity, and provides practical strategies to enhance IT systems, achieve compliance, and protect against Chinese cyber threats.
CMMC 2.0 Final Rule – Time to Execute
On October 15, 2024, the Department of Defense (DoD) published the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 final rule, effective December 16, 2024, formalizing compliance requirements for contractors in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). With Level 1 self-assessments and Level 2 third-party assessments by Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) starting in Q1 2025, the rule sets a three-year rollout, culminating in full adoption by mid-2028. For contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), aligning with the 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls is critical to avoid contract risks. This blog post breaks down the final rule, underscores the urgency of immediate preparation, and provides practical strategies to achieve CMMC 2.0 compliance and ensure readiness for assessments.
CMMC 2.0’s New DFARS Rule and Incident Reporting
On August 15, 2024, the Department of Defense (DoD) proposed a Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) rule that introduces a 72-hour incident reporting requirement for cybersecurity incidents and mandates Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 compliance at contract award. For DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), this rule adds complexity to CMMC 2.0, particularly for rapid incident response. This blog post examines the implications of the new DFARS rule, highlights the importance of robust incident reporting systems, and provides practical strategies to achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance while meeting the 72-hour reporting mandate.
Supporting Subcontractors with CMMC 2.0
As the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 rollout approaches in 2025, prime contractors are increasingly requiring subcontractors to demonstrate compliance, according to industry discussions in 2024. For subcontractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), achieving CMMC Level 2 certification is critical to remaining in the Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) supply chain. […]
Preparing for CMMC 2.0’s DFARS Rule
In May 2024, the Department of Defense (DoD) released a draft Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) rule to enforce Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 compliance, signaling that certification will be a contractual requirement by mid-2025. For DoD and Intelligence Community (IC) contractors, this rule underscores the urgency of preparing for CMMC assessments to secure contract awards. This blog post outlines the implications of the DFARS rule, emphasizes the importance of readiness, and provides practical strategies to prepare for CMMC 2.0 assessments, ensuring compliance and audit success without delays.
Countering Cyber Threats with CMMC 2.0
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) released its 2024 Annual Threat Assessment on March 10, 2024, underscoring the growing danger of state-sponsored cyber threats targeting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). For Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) contractors, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 provides a critical framework to strengthen cybersecurity and protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This blog post explores the evolving cyber threat landscape, highlights the importance of CMMC Level 2’s third-party assessments, and offers practical strategies to build robust, NIST SP 800-171-compliant systems that safeguard national security.