Defense Contractor Cybersecurity and CMMC

CMMC Is Coming. The Clock Is Running.

CMMC Level 2 third-party assessments become mandatory for DoD contractors handling CUI starting November 2026. This is not a self-attestation. A certified C3PAO will assess your organization against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 security practices. If you don't pass, you can't bid on contracts.

For the hundreds of defense subcontractors and suppliers along the JBLM corridor, in Pierce County, and across Washington and Idaho, this deadline represents an existential business risk. Lose CMMC compliance, lose your contracts. It's that simple.

The problem is that most small defense contractors don't know where to start. They have an MSP running their IT, but nobody who understands NIST 800-171, CUI scoping, SSP development, or what a C3PAO assessor actually looks for. That's exactly the gap CyberCascadia fills.

Complete CMMC readiness. From gap analysis to assessment day.

NIST 800-171 Gap Analysis

Detailed assessment against all 110 practices. Clear identification of what's implemented, what's partially in place, and what's missing entirely.

CUI Scoping & Boundaries

Define where CUI lives in your environment, how it flows, and what systems are in scope. Proper scoping reduces your assessment surface and simplifies compliance.

SSP & POA&M Development

System Security Plan and Plan of Action & Milestones written to assessor standards. These are the core documents your C3PAO will evaluate.

Policy & Procedure Documentation

Access control, incident response, media protection, system integrity, and all other policies required by NIST 800-171. Written for your organization, not a generic template.

MSP/IT Coordination

We translate compliance requirements into technical tasks your MSP can execute. We track implementation, verify evidence, and ensure controls are operating as documented.

Pre-Assessment Readiness

Mock assessment, evidence package review, and final gap remediation before your C3PAO engagement. No surprises on assessment day.

Defense industry organizations across the Pacific Northwest.

Manufacturing & Machining

Parts manufacturers, machine shops, and fabricators supplying components to defense primes with CUI markings.

IT & Technology Services

MSPs, software vendors, and IT consultants providing services to DoD agencies or defense contractors.

Engineering & Design

Engineering firms handling technical data, drawings, and specifications classified as CUI.

Logistics & Supply Chain

Warehousing, transportation, and supply chain companies handling defense materiel and associated data.

Professional Services

Consulting, legal, and accounting firms serving defense clients with access to CUI or sensitive contract data.

Construction & Facilities

Contractors working on military installations or handling facility plans and specifications classified as CUI.

Defense contractor security questions we hear most.

What CMMC level does my company need?+

If you handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) only, CMMC Level 1 (self-assessment of 15 practices) may be sufficient. If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you need Level 2 (110 practices, third-party assessment). We help you determine which level applies during a free discovery call.

Can CyberCascadia certify us for CMMC?+

No. CMMC certification requires a Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). CyberCascadia prepares you for that assessment, gap analysis, SSP development, POA&M creation, remediation coordination, and pre-assessment review. When your C3PAO arrives, you will be ready.

How long does CMMC readiness take?+

For most SMB defense contractors, 12 to 18 months. Organizations with no existing security documentation or significant infrastructure gaps may need more time. The November 2026 mandatory deadline means starting now is critical.

We are a subcontractor, not a prime. Does CMMC apply to us?+

Yes. CMMC requirements flow down to subcontractors who handle CUI. If your prime contractor passes CUI to you as part of a DoD contract, you are in scope for CMMC Level 2 assessment. This includes manufacturers, IT providers, professional services firms, and logistics companies in the defense supply chain.

Cybersecurity Advisory for Defense Contractors