Navigating CMMC Compliance and Key Insights from the National 8(a) Small Business Conference
The Department of Defense’s CMMC 2.0 compliance deadline is fast approaching, bringing significant risks and challenges for contractors. This article, authored by Prescentus' own Al Broadbent with PreVeil’s Orlee Berlove and Womble Bond Dickinson’s Patrice Howard, examines key takeaways for compliance.
The recent National 8(a) Small Business Conference highlighted critical updates and challenges surrounding the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 program. Now a regulatory necessity for Department of Defense (DoD) contractors, CMMC 2.0 compliance will become mandatory starting December 16, 2024. Contractors must achieve certification before being awarded contracts, making compliance essential for maintaining access to DoD opportunities. However, with only 54 Certified Third-Party Assessor Organizations (C3PAOs) available to certify approximately 76,000 contractors, a significant backlog in assessments could jeopardize contracts and revenue streams.
CMMC 2.0 is designed to address vulnerabilities in existing FAR and DFARS regulations, ensuring that contractors meet stringent cybersecurity standards to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The new framework aligns with national security priorities and strengthens the DoD’s ability to verify contractor compliance. Given the limited number of assessors, contractors are urged to act quickly to secure their place in the certification pipeline and avoid delays that could disrupt their operations.
Womble Bond Dickinson, in partnership with PreVeil, offers tailored CMMC compliance solutions to help contractors streamline the process. PreVeil’s integrated tools have already helped over 1,500 defense contractors reduce compliance costs by over 75% compared to traditional methods. With customizable templates and training, PreVeil provides a comprehensive approach to navigating the complexities of CMMC.
As compliance becomes a non-negotiable requirement for DoD contracts, the urgency for contractors to prepare is greater than ever. Delays in certification could result in exclusion from critical government opportunities, making immediate action essential to ensure business continuity and alignment with national security standards.