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 DFARS 7019 and 7020 have been replaced by DFARS clause 252.240-7997.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

Defense Logistics Agency suppliers got a special Christmas gift: detailed estimates of CMMC requirements by DLA supply class! The Defense Department buys a lot of different products and services and the estimates make it clear that different types of contractors will experience CMMC requirements in very different ways. If only we could get every agency and mega prime to put out info like this.

Episode Links:

DLA SMB Website: https://www.dla.mil/Small-Business/Resource-Center/Cybersecurity-Resources/

What DLA Buys: https://www.dla.mil/Small-Business/Getting-Started/What-DLA-Buys/

Supply Classes: https://www.dau.edu/acquipedia-article/supply-classes

Another defense contractor is paying six figure fines after settling with the Department of Justice for allegedly failing to comply with DFARS clause 252.204-7012. The kicker: their own employee blew the noncompliance whistle and got a cut of penalty money. This is the fifth such settlement in 2025 and the DOJ is crystal clear that the don't discriminate just because a company is small.

Pathfinder 101: https://www.summit7.us/pathfinder

Pathfinder Demo: https://youtu.be/JiDTCchfCa0?si=JJFplxSfvkaRVhRo

Memo: https://dodcio.defense.gov/cmmc/Resources-Documentation/

Swiss Automation: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/illinois-precision-machining-company-agrees-pay-421234-resolve-alleged-false-claims-act

MORSECORP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZnePk6jaezA

Raytheon: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/raytheon-companies-and-nightwing-group-pay-84m-resolve-false-claims-act-allegations-relating

Aero Turbine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFEEVGXv_00

GTRC: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/georgia-tech-research-corporation-agrees-pay-875000-resolve-civil-cyber-fraud-litigation

DFARS 7012: https://youtu.be/cy4e28YAkXU?si=MqGKGNAHTPyvj-DI