The Importance of CMMC Compliance
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification or CMMC is a cybersecurity certification requirement that impacts the many different types of businesses in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) that work on Department of Defense (DoD) contracts.
What is CMMC?
In a comprehensive effort to improve the overall security and resiliency of companies working under U.S. military contracts, the DoD launched CMMC in January 2020 and replaced it with CMMC 2.0 in December 2024. CMMC was formulated using the well-regarded security frameworks and standards of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Through its comprehensive design, the CMMC represents a unified cybersecurity standard that all current and potential companies working with the DoD must meet to participate in DoD contracts. The main goal of CMMC is to ensure that there are appropriate levels of cybersecurity controls and processes in place to protect federal contract information (FCI) and controlled unclassified information (CUI) on DoD contractor networks.
Important CMMC Update in September 2025
Regulatory clearance of the CMMC rule under 48 CFR occurred on August 25, 2025, and the final version of the rule was published in the Federal Register on September 10, 2025. With the final version of the rule published, CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 certification requirements will be added to all DoD contracts, RFPs or RFIs starting November 10, 2025. CMMC requirements will now be enforceable, and any companies involved in the DIB who do not meet these mandates will be disqualified from DoD contract awards.
Three Maturity Levels of CMMC Certification
The CMMC has organized cybersecurity practices and processes into three cumulative maturity levels that range from basic cyber hygiene at Level 1 to advanced security operations at Level 3. These three levels represent the state of an organization’s cybersecurity infrastructure and controls and their capabilities for protecting intellectual property and sensitive government information. DoD contracts involving more sensitive information and potential security vulnerabilities will require that their contractors possess a higher level of CMMC certification.
Successful Completion of CMMC Audit Required to Work on DoD Contracts
One important compliance requirement for CMMC Level 2 and above is that companies need to pass an official CMMC Audit by a certified third-party assessor organization known as a C3PAO. Network Depot can help you meet this challenge.
Network Depot is a CMMC expert that will assist your company as follows:
- Prepare your company for the CMMC certification process including self-assessments and third-party audits by comprehensively evaluating your current network security state.
- Recommend and implement remediation steps to pass an assessment for your desired CMMC Maturity Level. Key deliverables will include assistance in achieving and submitting the required Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score and a plan of actions and milestones (POA&M) when necessary. Our primary goal is for your company to get CMMC-certified on the first attempt.
- Monitor and maintain your company’s cybersecurity policies, processes, and systems to stay compliant after CMMC Certification.
Contact for a Free CMMC Consultation
If you would like to learn more about how we can help your company achieve CMMC certification, click the button below or call us at 703-810-3960 to register for a free CMMC consultation. NAGC members will be rewarded discounts of 10% or more on gap assessments and IT services.
