What This Means for Your Organization
- CMMC compliance is now a make-or-break requirement for DoD contractors.
- Only 4% of contractors report being fully prepared.
- The most common issues include poor documentation, lack of personnel, limited resources, and cultural resistance to cybersecurity.
- A well-maintained System Security Plan (SSP) and actionable security controls are essential.
- Early action and expert support are critical to stay eligible and competitive.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) has officially moved from concept to contract clause. CMMC 2.0 is here and failure to comply means you can't win new DoD contracts. Yet, despite years of warnings, most contractors still aren't ready. In fact, studies show only 4% believe they are fully prepared for CMMC certification. So what's going wrong?
In this blog, we'll break down why most small contractors fail to meet CMMC standards and what you can do differently to succeed without getting overwhelmed.
The Basics: What Is CMMC and Why Does It Matter?
CMMC is the Department of Defense's effort to secure its supply chain. It ensures contractors protect sensitive information by meeting a tiered set of cybersecurity requirements:
- Level 1: Covers Federal Contract Information (FCI) and requires 15 basic security practices.
- Level 2: Targets Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with NIST SP 800-171 controls.
- Level 3: Reserved for contractors handling highly sensitive data and includes additional enhanced controls.
If your contract involves CUI, you'll likely need Level 2 and possibly a third-party assessment. Without compliance, you won't be eligible to bid. The road to CMMC is a long one, but important.
Reason #1: Lack of Understanding
Most small contractors fail not out of neglect, but confusion. Many don't fully grasp what CMMC requires or even what applies to them.
- Companies are confused by the language in NIST SP 800-171 and how it applies to their company's environment.
- Some assume their existing IT policy is "close enough."
- Others wait until a contract is on the line to begin the process, which is often too late.
Fix: Begin with a structured Readiness Assessment. Map the data your organization handles and determine whether it falls under FCI or CUI. Use resources available online to understand the 110 security controls for Level 2. Combine this research with expert-led scoping sessions to develop a compliance roadmap. Still too much? Total Assure offers tailored gap assessments to jumpstart this process and get you clear answers fast.
Reason #2: Lack of Personnel and Other Resources
Meeting CMMC requirements is a big investment in time, staffing, and more.
- Time: Certification can take over 9 months.
- Staffing: Most SMBs don't have a dedicated cybersecurity team.
- Technology: Security controls often require new tools for encryption, access control, logging, etc.
Fix: You don't need to do it all at once, or alone. Take stock of what resources you have available and what may be lacking. Many cybersecurity investments are allowable DoD expenses. Partner with providers like Total Assure who offer scalable solutions. We build a compliance roadmap around your resources and timeline, guiding you through every phase from documentation to assessment preparation.
Reason #3: Cybersecurity "On Paper" Only
It's not enough to have policies that say you're secure. Assessors want to see real-world proof that your cybersecurity practices are in place and working.
- Do you have evidence of configurations showing that Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is enforced?
- Can you prove that backups are tested regularly?
- Are access permissions reviewed in accordance with policy requirements?
Fix: Implement a technical control validation process. Use tools like log monitoring, dashboards, and endpoint detection to generate the evidence C3PAOs look for. At Total Assure, we go beyond templates. We help operationalize your cybersecurity so your practices hold up under assessment conditions. We also perform internal mock assessments to ensure readiness.
Reason #4: Weak or Outdated SSP and POA&M
A System Security Plan (SSP) and a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) are sometimes required during your CMMC process, but not keeping them up to date can hurt your compliance posture.
- Generic or outdated SSPs that do not reflect your current system, users, and data flows.
- Missing POA&Ms signal a lack of commitment to managing risks and remediation.
- Most small businesses lack version control, making it difficult to prove updates.
Fix: Build your SSP around your actual IT environment (not a template). Document system boundaries, configurations, and data flows clearly. Review and update at least annually, or after any major system change. Your POA&M should reflect all known gaps and include concrete deadlines and assigned owners. Total Assure specializes in writing assessment-ready SSPs and POA&Ms, customized for your architecture and updated as your environment evolves.
Reason #5: Resistance to Cultural Change
Cybersecurity isn't just an IT problem; rather, it's an organizational priority.
- Employees might still use weak passwords or ignore update alerts.
- Leadership may treat compliance as a checkbox instead of a business imperative.
- Without buy-in across departments, security controls erode quickly.
Fix: Start by creating a formal cybersecurity awareness program. This includes:
- Annual training tailored to roles and responsibilities.
- Regular phishing simulations and incident response drills.
- Executive briefings that connect CMMC to business success.
Total Assure offers security culture transformation programs that engage your entire team with training, simulations, and ongoing support.
Reason #6: Incomplete Monitoring and Response
Cyberattacks don't wait for you to catch up. Many small businesses lack real-time monitoring or an actionable Incident Response Plan (IRP).
- No continuous vulnerability scanning or log review.
- No defined escalation procedures for incidents.
- No record of tabletop exercises or playbooks.
Fix: Implement a layered defense strategy supported by automation.
- Start with basic tools like endpoint protection and centralized logging.
- Build out your IRP: define roles, simulate responses, document lessons.
- Use 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC) services to maintain visibility.
Total Assure's in-house SOC delivers full coverage including monitoring, detection, alerting, and response, so threats are neutralized before they become breaches. We also run IRP development workshops.
Ready to Achieve CMMC Compliance?
CMMC 2.0 represents a cultural, operational, and technical shift for small contractors. But with the right roadmap and expert support, it's absolutely achievable—and it can even become a growth advantage.
Take the next step toward securing your organization. Contact our cybersecurity experts for a free consultation on developing CMMC readiness.
About Total Assure
Total Assure, a spin-off company from IBSS, provides uninterrupted business operations with our dedicated 24/7/365 in-house SOC, robust managed security solutions, and expert consulting services. Total Assure provides cost-efficient, comprehensive, and scalable cybersecurity solutions that leverage 30 years of experience and expertise from IBSS. Total Assure partners with its customers to identify security gaps, develop attainable cybersecurity objectives, and deliver comprehensive cybersecurity solutions that protect their businesses from modern cybersecurity threats.
Check out our blog series on NIST SP 800-171.
For more information on how Total Assure can assist your organization in achieving NIST SP 800-171 compliance, please contact our team directly.
