CMMC Compliance Guide

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

Here are the actual memos (Definitely worth a read):  

• https://federalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CIO-CMMC-Reform-Memo_26-P-1023.pdf?hss_channel=lcp-348902https://federalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CIO-CMMC-Reform-Memo_26-P-1023.pdf?hss_channel=lcp-348902
• https://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Library/ImplementingSuspensionCMMC-PhaseII.pdf

The Department of War just paused the rollout of CMMC Phase 2's third-party certification requirement for 60 days. Austin breaks down what the memo actually says, what it doesn't say, and why "certification is paused" is not the same thing as "compliance is paused."

In this episode:

• What the 60-day pause on CMMC Phase 2 actually covers (hint: it's the certification verification process, not the underlying NIST 800-171 requirements)
• Why this could ultimately make your path to CMMC less expensive, and why that's not a reason to slow down
• Why contractors who are already deep into implementation are in the strongest position no matter which direction this goes
• Why assuming "compliance has disappeared" is the riskiest read of this news
• What happens if third-party certification gets replaced with a stronger self-attestation or spot-check model, and why unsupported SPRS scores are already a liability
• A trade show story about a Department of War investigator actively pursuing ITAR fraud leads, and what that says about enforcement appetite right now
• What to actually do in the next 60 days while DoD figures out the future of the verification model

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

Small aerospace suppliers are getting hit with the same CMMC questions over and over: what do I actually need to do if my contract requirements aren't clear yet, does redacting a drawing get it out of CUI territory, will a tool like ThreatLocker or Prevail make me compliant, and what is this actually going to cost. In this episode, Stacey and Brooke from Justice IT Consulting go through the real answers small manufacturers, machine shops, and engineering firms need before the November 10, 2026 DFARS CMMC requirement hits new DOD contracts.

Topics covered:

• Why you can't fully plan compliance without knowing FCI vs. CUI exposure, and what that means for your Microsoft 365 environment (GCC vs. GCC High)
• Why redacting a customer name or contract number from a drawing does NOT remove CUI status
• Why compliance tools alone (ThreatLocker, Prevail, etc.) can't get you certified
• Realistic cost ranges for CMMC Level 2 certification, and why "$5,000" and "$20,000" quotes are misleading
• How far a small company can actually get doing CMMC in-house, including where AI-generated policies fall short
• Whether to start at Level 1 and move up later, or go straight to Level 2
• What changes for new DOD contracts after November 10, 2026
• How to get an honest readiness check with a gaps assessment before spending money

We're also co-hosting a free live webinar with FutureFeed and Preveil on shared responsibility in CMMC assessments, covering how to read a customer responsibility matrix and close gaps before they become assessment findings. Tuesday, July 21st at 12 PM Central. 

Register (free, recording sent to all registrants): cmmccomplianceguide.com/podcast

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

The Cyber AB's May 2026 Town Hall packed in major updates and if you work with an MSP, use cloud services, or are trying to figure out where your compliance responsibility actually ends, this episode is required listening. Brooke and Stacey break down everything contractors need to know: ESP vs. CSP distinctions, FedRAMP changes, new leadership, Marketplace 2.0, and the single biggest takeaway every OSC needs to hear.

📌 What You'll Learn:

• What the new joint venture FAQ clarifies — and what actually changes (hint: less than you think)
• The status of the official CMMC certification badge and what you can display right now
• How FedRAMP 20X is changing authorization language — and why DoD's "moderate equivalency" standard isn't moving
• The three questions every OSC must answer about their ESP
• How to tell the difference between an MSP and a CSP — in plain English
• The 5 NIST 800-145 criteria that determine whether a service counts as cloud computing
• Cyber AB ecosystem updates: monthly RPO meetings launching in July and Marketplace 2.0 preview
• The biggest takeaway from the town hall — and why the burden always lands on the OSC
• Webinar Announcement: Whose Control Is It Anyway? — free live event July 21st at 12 p.m. CT - Sign up by clicking HERE

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

The Department of Defense just updated its CMMC FAQ document — and the clarifications inside answer some of the most common (and costly) assumptions contractors make. In this episode, Brooke and Stacey break down what changed for joint ventures, paper-only CUI, significant change triggers, and how MSPs and MSSPs actually fit into assessment scope.

If you're navigating a merger, working with subcontractors, or relying on an MSP to manage your environment, this episode clears up exactly where you stand — and where you don't.

📌 What You'll Learn:

• Why joint ventures do NOT automatically inherit a company's CMMC certification status
• The new guidance on paper-only CUI — and when it does NOT require Level 2 assessment
• What actually counts as a "significant change" that triggers reassessment (mergers, system consolidation, and more)
• Why MSPs don't need their own CMMC certification — but still carry major assessment responsibilities
• The difference between CUI scope and Security Protection Data (SPD) scope for MSPs/MSSPs
• The five-part test for whether an MSP counts as a Cloud Service Provider (CSP)
• Listener Q&A: Do subcontractors need cybersecurity training and screening too?

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

Most defense contractors don't realize how complex CMMC compliance really is until they're already in trouble. In this episode, Brooke and Stacey break down the exact moments where contractors hit their wake-up call, what to expect from a gap assessment, and why waiting until the last minute could cost you your DoD contracts.

Whether you're just starting your CMMC journey or think you're close to ready, this episode will show you what you're probably missing and how to get ahead of it.

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Brooke breaks down the biggest takeaways from CS5 West 2026, one of the largest conferences in the CMMC ecosystem.

The biggest message from the conference was clear: CMMC is no longer theoretical. Assessments are happening now, companies are already getting certified, and many contractors are running out of time to prepare before Phase 2 requirements begin appearing on contracts.

We discuss what assessors are seeing during mock and certification assessments, why documentation continues to be one of the biggest failure points, and why scoping mistakes are still creating major problems for manufacturers and defense contractors.

We also cover:

•  Why small contractors are struggling with implementation 
•  How primes are pressuring subcontractors to get certified early 
•  Why enclave strategies are often misunderstood 
•  The ongoing debate around G-code and CUI 
•  Why continuous compliance matters after certification 
•  The importance of mock assessments 
•  How False Claims Act risk ties into annual affirmations 

If you are a defense contractor trying to understand where CMMC enforcement is heading and what the industry is seeing right now, this episode gives you a practical, real-world update from inside the ecosystem.

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest challenges in the Defense Industrial Base: how small contractors without internal IT teams are realistically handling CMMC compliance.

Many small manufacturers, machine shops, and defense suppliers feel overwhelmed by CMMC because they do not have dedicated cybersecurity, compliance, or IT security staff. Instead, employees wear multiple hats while trying to keep daily operations moving.

We break down what compliance actually looks like for smaller contractors, what can realistically be outsourced, what responsibilities still stay with the company, and why buying tools like Microsoft 365 GCC High does not automatically make you compliant.

We also explain why data flow mapping and scope are critical, how shared responsibility matrices work with MSPs and MSSPs, and the biggest mistakes smaller companies make when trying to shortcut compliance.

If you are a small or mid-sized defense contractor trying to understand how to approach CMMC without a massive budget or internal compliance department, this episode will help you build a realistic roadmap.

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we break down one of the most frustrating realities for defense contractors thinking you are ready for a CMMC assessment, only to find out you are not.

Many companies believe they are compliant because they have security tools in place, policies written, and even a high SPRS score. But when assessors actually evaluate the environment, major gaps often appear.

We explain why this happens, how C3PAOs actually assess your environment, and what separates companies that pass their CMMC Level 2 assessment from those that fall short.

You will learn how assessors use examine, interview, and test methods, why the 320 assessment objectives matter more than the 110 controls, and how small documentation inconsistencies can lead to failed controls.

We also cover the importance of mock assessments, why your evidence package is critical, and how scope decisions can dramatically impact your assessment outcome.

If you are preparing for a CMMC assessment, or think you are ready, this episode will help you avoid costly surprises and approach your assessment with confidence.

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we break down the most common mistakes defense contractors make when preparing for CMMC compliance and how those mistakes can cost you time, money, and even future contracts.

Even though CMMC 2.0 is now enforceable, many companies are still struggling with readiness. The issue is not effort, it is approach. Many contractors start in the wrong place, leading to overspending, failed assessments, or compliance gaps that could have been avoided.

We cover critical topics like scoping mistakes, why treating CMMC as an IT-only project creates problems, and how focusing on tools too early can lead to unnecessary costs. We also explain why documentation and ongoing evidence are essential for passing an assessment and building trust with assessors.

You will also learn why submitting an inaccurate SPRS score can create serious legal risk, how long CMMC actually takes to implement, and why waiting too long to start can put your contracts in jeopardy.

If you are a small or mid-sized contractor in the defense industrial base, this episode will help you avoid the most common pitfalls and take a smarter approach to compliance.

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast!

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in CMMC compliance.

Many contractors assume that if information is not marked as controlled unclassified information, then it is not CUI. But that assumption can lead to serious compliance risks.

We break down how manufacturers and machine shops can actually create CUI while performing contract work, even if the original data was not clearly marked.

We also cover how ERP systems factor into CMMC scope, when systems are considered in or out of scope, and how improper scoping decisions can create major compliance gaps.

You will learn what derived CUI is, how it applies to things like CNC G code, and why simply removing identifying details from documents does not make them safe.

We also explain who determines what qualifies as CUI, how scope can expand across your network, and what realistic cost and infrastructure decisions look like for small and mid sized contractors.

If you are part of the defense supply chain, this episode will help you avoid one of the most common and costly misunderstandings in CMMC.