Iranian cyber actors are targeting the Defense Industrial Base.

So does CMMC actually help?

In this episode, we mapped 130 real-world techniques used by five Iranian threat groups to the controls behind NIST SP 800-171 using the MITRE ATT&CK framework.

Here is what the data shows:

• 100% of techniques are detectable

• 68% are mitigated with preventative controls

• Just a handful of core controls drive most of the defensive impact

We also examine what that means for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification and why 800-171 remains a strong floor for protecting CUI.

But there is a gap. Only about half of the relevant NIST SP 800-53 that mitigate known Iranian techniques are represented in the 800-171 baseline.

If you are a defense contractor, this episode will show you what compliance actually buys you and where you may need to go further.

Register for Summit 7 Live: https://www.summit7.us/s7live

MITRE ATT&CK: https://attack.mitre.org/

Mappings Explorer: https://ctid.mitre.org/projects/mappings-explorer

CISA Alert: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/cyber-threats-and-advisories/advanced-persistent-threats/iran

NIST SP 800-53: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/53/r5/upd1/final

NIST SP 800-171: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/171/r2/upd1/final

The Cyber AB has once again summoned the CMMC Ecosystem to deliver its monthly update and on this week's show we are going to break it down for you. Join us as we take all the information distributed during the meeting and dish out the information you need to know.

Things like: Can my FSO check on my Tier 3?

Have we eclipsed the 1,000 assessments milestone?

When does a mock assessment stop “mocking”?

Updates on the ISACA/ CAICO switchover

And so much more...Tune in to find out!

Sum It Up: “The End of SPRS Scores (sort of)”: https://youtu.be/_UFN7fubgQY?si=EgtchmuAHti24Cr8

Cyber AB TH Recordings: https://cyberab.org/News-Events/Town-halls

ISACA Webinar - CMMC: Requirements, Roles, and Professional Credentials: https://store.isaca.org/s/community-event?id=a33VQ000001otC1YAI

ISACA CMMC Page: https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cmmc

The DoD Inspector General is raising concerns about CUI marking again and the numbers don't add up.

In 2023, the IG found that 48% of reviewed CUI documents lack proper markings. Yet the DoD CUI Program website reports only 9% were unmarked that same year. So which is it?

In this episode we break down the latest DoD IG management advisory, where the recommendations fall short, and why the CUI program and the CMMC program (although closely related) are owned by different offices that can't fix each other's problems.

For defense contractors, this isn't academic. CMMC enforcement depends on the integrity of the CUI program. If CUI marking is inconsistent, compliance risk increases downstream.

Summit 7 Live: https://www.summit7.us/s7live

2026 IG Report: https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/Article/4397146/management-advisory-dod-policy-and-training-on-dissemination-controls-for-contr/

2023 IG Report: https://www.dodig.mil/reports.html/Article/3413433/audit-of-the-dods-implementation-and-oversight-of-the-controlled-unclassified-i/

CMMC is a condition of contract award and many defense contractors are waiting until they see CMMC requirements in a solicitation to get started. But the department of defense wants the period between solicitation and award to be as short as possible. This week we crunch the numbers on 1,070 upcoming Navy contracts to see what a realistic timeline ought to look like.

Summit 7 Live: https://www.summit7.us/s7live

PALT Pod 2024: https://youtu.be/NZs4f5voyrg?si=S-xarOpYyiSG00Bs

NAVAIR Forecast: https://www.navair.navy.mil/LRAE

The largest change to DFARS cybersecurity requirements other than CMMC took place on February 1st, 2026, and nobody knew it happened. DFARS 7019 and 7020 have been replaced by DFARS clause 252.240-7997. Basic self-assessments have been eliminated. FAR 52.204-21 has a new number. And none of this went through rulemaking. This week we're diving deep into the mysterious world of class deviations and what they mean for defense contractors moving forward.

RFO Website: https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul

DFARS RFO Deviations: https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars_far_overhaul_class_deviations.html

CMMC class deviation: https://youtu.be/vC4IJ2JQ5NU?si=B8I9DII4ZEbQ2dNx

7012 class deviation: https://youtu.be/voziZRAMvv4?si=HxIkpUWnxyergEUQ

After a brief hiatus, the Cyber AB has gathered the CMMC Ecosystem to deliver its monthly update. On this week's show, we breakdown the information distributed on this month's meeting that you need to know. Things like:

• Who is the new DoW CIO?

• Pending shutdown and CMMC Impacts

• Ecosystem Growth and Certification updates

• Does this show count for CPEs?

And so much more...Tune in to find out!

ISACA Webinar - CMMC: Requirements, Roles, and Professional Credentials: https://store.isaca.org/s/community-event?id=a33VQ000001otC1YAI

DAU CMMC microlearning: https://www.dau.edu/acquipedia?combine=cmmc&title=C&field_functional_area_target_id=All&field_topic_area_target_id=All

ISACA CMMC Page: https://www.isaca.org/credentialing/cmmc

Defense contractors aren't the only ones who need to implement NIST cybersecurity requirements for CUI. The big question has always been whether other agencies would require proof of implementation via the CMMC program. The GSA just revised their process for assessing nonfederal systems handling controlled unclassified information and it's way closer to NIST's Risk Management Framework than CMMC.

CIO-IT Security-21-112r1 (PDF): https://www.gsa.gov/system/files/Protecting-Controlled-Unclassified-Information-%28CUI%29-in-Nonfederal-Systems-and-Organizations-Process-%5BCIO-IT-Security-21-112-Rev-1%5D.pdf

Summit 7 Live San Diego: https://www.summit7.us/s7live

This week we sit down with Supply Chain Director Bo Birdwell to discuss Elbit America's latest open letter to suppliers regarding CMMC. Elbit's letter doesn't mince words: CMMC is here and the time to act is now. Bo not only walks us through the perspective of a major prime contractor on cost, timelines, outsourced services, CMMC Level 3, and more – he also drops a ton of helpful tips for current and prospective suppliers.

Elbit Supplier Page: https://www.elbitamerica.com/suppliers#cyber

MSP Collective: https://www.mspcollective.org/

Bo Birdwell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobirdwell/

The defense department has updated the CMMC FAQs for the second time in 3 months. In lieu of rulemaking updates the CMMC FAQs are the best place for updated guidance. This week we're exploring DoD's answers regarding everything from encryption to enclaves to VDI endpoints.

CMMC FAQs: https://dodcio.defense.gov/CMMC/

Another year another set of eerily accurate predictions about defense cybersecurity requirements and the CMMC program. Like usual we got most of our 2025 predictions correct. For 2026 we're getting specific with False Claims settlements, CMMC 3.0, FAR CUI, and more!

FCA episode: https://youtu.be/tPA-ALjW1Hk?si=KgPUAo4VqqmX3mNF

DoD IG report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNafaUlgBGo

Golden Dome: https://youtu.be/y88JqZdJsj0?si=eGpIm1jqKRYpW4n3