DoD Moves forward with CMMC: Two Key Challenges Addressed
The Department of Defense has achieved significant momentum in addressing the two primary obstacles that have hindered the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program’s full implementation. Stacy Bostjanick, DoD’s chief of the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity in the CIO’s office, said the rule to change the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations (DFARs) is close to going to the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for final processing. After more than six years since first introducing the data security program, DoD officials now express unprecedented confidence about CMMC’s future. The regulatory path has become clearer following the finalization of the first rule last summer, which formally established the CMMC program framework.
Managed Service Providers Accelerate CMMC Implementation
Addressing Assessment Capacity Challenges
So now, your POA&Ms will have to be closed within six months, and you'll have to do your annual affirmation that you are compliant with the NIST 800-171
DoD has also refined its phased implementation strategy to balance security requirements with practical business considerations for contractors. “We originally had the first phase of six months where you could continue focusing on that self-attestation, but it would be self-attestation under the CMMC rules, which means you no longer can have a plan of action and milestones (POA&M) that goes out to 2099 before you’d complete it. So now, your POA&Ms will have to be closed within six months, and you’ll have to do your annual affirmation that you are compliant with the NIST 800-171,” she said. This structured rollout ensures contractors have adequate time to achieve compliance while preventing indefinite delays that could compromise security objectives. Defense contractors can no longer defer critical security implementations indefinitely, creating accountability while providing reasonable timelines for achieving full CMMC compliance certification.
CMMC Compliance & Implementation
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose between CMMC compliance companies?
What makes Ridge IT the #1 MSSP for DoD and government contractors?
Ridge IT delivers specialized advantages for defense contractors through certified government expertise that most MSSPs can't match. As a CMMC Registered Provider Organization, we're authorized by the Accreditation Body to provide official compliance consulting beyond typical point-in-time assessments. Our team maintains CMMC compliance ourselves for government clients, providing real-world implementation experience since supporting DIB customers for 5+ years. Our military-grade Zero Trust architecture (700+ deployments) automatically satisfies key CMMC controls while our intelligent enclave approach reduces per-user compliance costs from $60 to $20. We leverage DoD-approved technology platforms for audit familiarity, provide automated evidence documentation that CMMC auditors require, and deliver 15-minute response times with 98.7% threat prevention. Unlike general MSSPs adapting to government requirements, Ridge IT was purpose-built for mission-critical federal security from inception, this makes us the #1 MSSP for DoD.
What happens if defense contractors miss the CMMC requirement date?
When is the CMMC requirement date for defense contractors?
What is a CMMC RPO and is Ridge IT an RPO?
A CMMC Registered Provider Organization (RPO) is a company authorized by the CMMC Accreditation Body to provide consulting services for organizations seeking CMMC certification. Yes, Ridge IT is a certified RPO, which means we're authorized to help defense contractors navigate the complexities of CMMC compliance. Unlike typical consultants, our military-grade CMMC methodology delivers both compliance and security through continuous monitoring rather than point-in-time assessments. Ready to start your certification journey? Our RPO services include gap analysis, remediation planning, and implementation support with our 15-minute response guarantee.
How do I meet DoD CMMC requirements?
What are the DoD CMMC compliance standards?
When do DoD CMMC requirements start?
After December 16, 2024, CMMC compliance becomes mandatory for DoD contractors. See critical timeline mistakes contractors make during implementation.
What CMMC mistakes should my team look for?
After hundreds of defense contractors achieve certification, we've seen how costly DIY CMMC compliance mistakes can be. The DoD found only 10-15% of self-assessed companies actually met requirements. Learn which mistakes fail certification and how to prevent them.
The most critical errors include:
- Trusting DIY assessments when CMMC deadline 2025 requires expert guidance
- Missing CUI boundary documentation that auditors require for CMMC compliance contractors
- Treating compliance like an annual event instead of continuous monitoring, which the December 16 Final Rule demands
Can I meet CMMC security requirements with my current IT team?
Most internal IT teams lack the specialized expertise for CMMC security controls. Our managed IT brings proven security control frameworks that map directly to certification requirements. While basic security tools focus on alerts, we prevent breaches through automated remediation and continuous compliance validation.
How long does CMMC Certification take?
Most organizations need 12-18 months to achieve full certification. The process includes 3-6 months implementing military-grade security controls through our proven implementation framework. Then, as outlined in our maturity requirements guide, you must demonstrate these practices are embedded in your culture - typically requiring 3-6 months of documented operational evidence. Only then can you begin the formal assessment process.
What’s the CMMC rollout schedule after the Final Rule?
Do subcontractors need CMMC Certification?
Yes, but our unique approach can help. While flow-down typically requires matching certification levels, our subcontractor compliance guide explains how our Zero Trust architecture can eliminate this requirement.
How does CMMC affect my existing NIST compliance?
CMMC enforces NIST SP 800-171 and 800-172 requirements through verification. Review our NIST compliance guide and see how our Zero Trust architecture streamlines both frameworks.
What’s the real difference between CMMC 1.0 and CMMC 2.0?
While CMMC 2.0 reduces levels from five to three, it demands more sophisticated controls than ISO 27001 or HIPAA. See the complete version comparison and learn how our military-grade implementation addresses these elevated requirements.
How are CMMC assessments different from self-certification?
Third-party CMMC assessments are now mandatory because self-certification proved unreliable - DoD audits found only 10-15% compliance. Review our assessment requirements guide and learn how our C3PAO certification process ensures compliance.
What happens if you miss the CMMC deadline?
After the Final Rule takes effect December 16, 2024, non-certified contractors lose DoD contracts immediately. Our military-grade compliance solutions ensure you maintain contract eligibility.
Will CMMC requirements be delayed?
No. The Final Rule is published and deadlines are set for 2025.
Can I self certify for CMMC?
Self-certification is only available for CMMC Level 1 and requires annual renewal with a senior official affirmation. Our certification requirements guide explains why Level 2 requires third-party assessment from an authorized C3PAO assessor, while Level 3 mandates direct government evaluation. The DoD implemented these stricter requirements after finding only 10-15% of self-assessed companies actually met compliance standards.
