Solution Guide for Government Contractors: Cybersecurity & CMMC Compliance

The DoD now requires organizations within the DIB to have proof of CMMC compliance to ensure protection of CUI from nation-state and nefarious actors while keeping the supply chain running safely. 

The initial version (CMMC 1.0) was put into effect on Jan. 31, 2020. Beginning on Nov. 10, 2025, the first official phase of CMMC implementation (CMMC 2.0) initiated a four-phase plan over three years, according to DoD CIO.

There are three levels of the CMMC compliance model, and most GovCons must comply with at least Level 2. Under the first phase, “Level 1 self-assessments will be required on an annual basis, and CMMC Levels 2 and 3 will be required every three years.” CMMC Level 2 includes 110 compliance controls consisting of 320 total assessment objectives or “checks.” Level 1 involves significantly fewer controls (15 requirements), while Level 3 has 134 total requirements. The audit itself uses a weighted scoring system, with some objectives offering more leeway for correction than others. 

CMMC Compliance as It Relates to NIST

NIST is also a set of standards for handling CUI and is required of all DoD contractors as outlined under DFARS. NIST compliance, however, relies largely on self-verification of objectives. Despite DoD efforts to incentivize compliance with the NIST framework, adoption proved to be slow-going. Faced with unacceptable risks to CUI stored on contractor systems, the DoD introduced CMMC.

Challenges of CMMC Compliance

With literally hundreds of objectives to meet, it’s no surprise that many GovCons are in over their heads with CMMC compliance. Several common obstacles tend to stand in the way of achieving CMMC, such as:

• Control complexity: Without the right amount of industry knowledge, deciphering the requirements for each of the individual compliance controls can be tricky. 
• The sheer amount of documentation: CMMC doesn’t just require you to meet certain standards—it also requires you to have documented proof that you do. Locating and organizing all of that evidence is an incredibly demanding task that’s often underestimated.
• Insufficient data access: Even GovCons that have the necessary data to back up their claims often don’t know where that data lives in their system or how to access it. 
• Continuous support: Achieving compliance isn’t a one-and-done initiative. Maintaining a certain level of compliance necessitates ongoing support and monitoring services from an experienced IT partner. 
• Scoping and establishing boundaries: Establishing proper access controls and defining the boundary of the environment often proves challenging for GovCons, especially for those without a clear understanding of which devices and networks are being used for what tasks.

The reality is that many GovCons think they’ve made more compliance progress than they actually have. According to a 2024 Merrill Research report, “while on average, respondents believe they are 65% prepared [for CMMC certification], only 4% believe they are completely ready for CMMC certification.” 

Clearly, a significant gap exists between how prepared GovCons think they are for these audits and how prepared they actually are, leading to a misconception of how much work is to be done and how much ongoing maintenance is necessary. The solution is to partner with an experienced IT provider that can offer expert guidance and cybersecurity consulting. 

Maintaining compliance can be confusing and burdensome even for seasoned IT professionals, which is why it’s critical to have expert oversight when collecting the necessary documentation to ensure all your boxes are checked.

Small businesses struggle to gather the resources for massive regulatory requirements. Larger organizations may have the means, but not the desire, to pull team members away from value-adding work. Consider this: Are you paying your security professionals by the hour? Naturally, as a government contractor, you just can’t skimp on security solutions, but compliance quickly gets expensive at an hourly rate. 

Risks of Noncompliance

Depending on the size of the miss and its impact on the overall IT environment, GovCons may receive a 90-day grace period to address and alleviate any compliance controls or requirements that weren’t initially met. The C3PAO will schedule a time to return within that period to reassess only the checks in question. 

Typically, the C3PAO will provide a quote for performing the initial CAP. Many assessing organizations will charge an additional fee if they have to come back to reevaluate any criteria that weren’t met on the first go-around.

The bottom line: If you’re not working with a qualified party to get you ready for the CAP, and you decide to undergo the assessment on the fly, you’re risking all the money and time you’ve invested working with the C3PAO.

GovCons that don’t achieve the necessary CMMC level qualification will be prohibited from bidding on new contracts and are highly likely to lose existing contracts, particularly after the final implementation phase. These agencies may also face fines or civil penalties, reputational damage, and, of course, operational disruption as a result of supply chain exclusion.

Ntiva, a proven leader in managed IT support and IT security services, is a Cyber-AB Registered Provider Organization, meaning we are accredited to provide CMMC consulting and support to OSCs.

Please note that Ntiva is not a C3PAO—these are assessors who perform the official evaluation in accordance with CAP. We do not conduct formal CMMC audits—we aren’t a certified assessment organization; therefore, we can’t authorize certifications, regardless of our service offerings. 

We do, however, provide a wide range of technology services to organizations within the DIB, with cybersecurity services being an important focal point. Most notably for this case, our CMMC gap assessments are designed to replicate the audit process to identify where an organization falls short, enabling it to better prepare for the C3PAO’s official assessment. 

Ntiva can meet you where you stand to proactively protect your IT investments and advise you on CMMC prerequisites. For example, the Ntiva team can help your business to:

• Acquire greater visibility into the data assets you are responsible for securing. 
• Test and identify vulnerabilities with next-step solutions and compliance. 
• Review system security plans and help prepare for a visit from the assessors. 
• Rapidly mitigate the impact of a security incident with a comprehensive incident response plan. 
• Win government contracts requiring CMMC cybersecurity compliance. 
• Receive advanced cybersecurity capabilities, such as threat hunting, security monitoring, continuous security testing, and incident response.
• Customize and scale flexible visibility into situational awareness for your cybersecurity assets all in one place to suit your unique needs.

Ntiva’s Managed Cybersecurity & IT Services for GovCons

Ntiva offers a monthly recurring service plan for government contractors who are required to be compliant with NIST 800-171 and CMMC. This cost-effective service package will provide you with the ongoing technical support, security controls, policies, and procedures that are required to maintain compliance. 

Our offerings fall in line with what today’s GovCons need to remain CMMC compliant, including:

• Email encryption solution
• Endpoint detection and response 
• Endpoint encryption solution
• IT user policy creation and annual updates
• Managed detection and response (SIEM/log auditing)
• Managed workstations and managed server
• Multifactor authentication
• Organization security policy creation and annual updates
• Security awareness training, including phishing prevention training
• Security incident response plan creation, annual tabletop test, and updates
• System security plan and POA&M creation and annual updates

Our monthly recurring services plan isn’t the same package we would provide to a business in a less controlled industry—it will be tailored to the unique work you do. This is one benefit of our vCISO services because this consultant role is dedicated to solving the specific technical and budget needs of the client.

Officially, the fourth and final phase of CMMC implementation isn’t set to begin until the end of 2028—at which time all solicitations and contracts must include applicable CMMC requirements. Initially, this may seem like ample time to prepare. 

However, the DoD explicitly states that “in some procurements, DoD may implement CMMC requirements in advance of the planned phase.” Not to mention, CMMC 3.0 is undoubtedly in the works, and its implementation isn’t far off. When the time comes, GovCons need to be ready.

Similarly, your organization must be prepared for any new regulations that may arise as cybersecurity legislation evolves. For example, the NIST is in the process of establishing standards and paradigms for zero trust architecture, regulations that will likely be mandated once fully researched. 

At Ntiva, we recommend at least annual reevaluation of your cybersecurity strategy to ensure ongoing compliance. Additionally, your strategy should be promptly reassessed when and if any major changes are made to your network or servers.

Regulatory bodies give plenty of notice and significant time to achieve compliance, but it must be used wisely. GovCons need a strategy for sustained cybersecurity success because maintaining CMMC compliance means maintaining federal contracts. That’s why it’s critical to partner with a seasoned IT provider, someone with extensive expertise in the field who knows exactly what to look for. 

To see where you stand and start maximizing your GovCon cybersecurity, book a consultation with one of our tech experts.