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 […]
Navigating Fiscal Uncertainty with CMMC 2.0
The reinstatement of the U.S. debt ceiling on January 17, 2025, has introduced significant fiscal uncertainty, creating budget pressures for Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) contractors. As the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 assessments begin in Q1 2025, contractors must achieve compliance with limited resources to remain competitive in the Defense […]
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.