CMMC Countdown: Are Defense Contractors Ready or Just Procrastinating?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program is here to turn defense contractors’ dreams of compliance into reality—or nightmares if they’re unprepared. With Level 1 self-certification starting now and Level 2 requiring third-party assessments by 2026, companies better buckle up for this market-driven enforcement. It’s not just paperwork; it’s table stakes for doing business with the Department of Defense.
Hot Take:
Hey defense contractors, it’s CMMC crunch time! After eight years of ‘we’ll get to it when we get to it,’ the government is now giving the defense industry the ultimate ultimatum: Get certified or get out! The era of ‘cyber hygiene’ slackers is over, so wash your hands and get those certifications, or you’ll be left holding the toilet paper.
Key Points:
- The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program is now in action, requiring defense contractors to comply with government standards.
- The certification will start with Level 1, which requires self-certification, and will escalate to Level 2 and 3 over the next few years.
- Companies that falsify certifications will face consequences under the False Claims Act.
- Current third-party assessment organizations (3PAOs) are limited, causing potential bottlenecks for Level 2 certification.
- The CMMC is a market-driven enforcement, meaning no certification, no contract.