If your business engages with the Department of Defense (DoD) or any contractors who do, chances are CMMC compliance will affect you. If you handle FCI (Federal Contract Information) or CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information), CMMC compliance isn’t optional—it’s mandatory to stay competitive.
As of 2024, CMMC 2.0 is law. The final Department of Defense (DoD) rule (32 CFR Part 170) went into effect on December 16, 2024, and a companion DFARS rule is expected to appear in contracts beginning in late 2025. These updates will ultimately make Level 1, Level 2 (and eventually Level 3) CMMC certification a requirement for being awarded contracts.
Phased CMMC implementation will conclude by 2028, but the most important deadlines are happening soon – between 2025 and 2026. That’s why getting ready now is key – CMMC isn’t a quick fix. It takes time, money, and commitment to achieve compliance Waiting until the last minute will cost your business more in the long run. Achieving compliance before these milestones could mean the difference between winning or losing business opportunities.
How CMMC drives long-term business value
CMMC certification is essential for handling contracts involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI). If you plan to engage with the DoD or any subcontractors, being CMMC compliant is a requirement for doing business with them.
Long term, not being certified could lead to lost bids, ineligibility to subcontract roles, or even termination mid-contract. Depending on the contract size, that could have a significant impact on your revenue and business goals. As with any certification, being an early adopter gives you an edge with clients. Not only does it show your proactive approach, it helps establish credibility before others even get their foot in the door.
CMMC as part of your cybersecurity strategy
Aligning with NIST SP 800‑171 through CMMC helps strengthen your organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Implementing best practices, tools, requirements and policies from NIST’s pillars ultimately leads to stronger defenses, helping reduce the risk of successful cyberattacks.
At the time of this writing, the average data breach in the US costs over $4 million dollars. Prevention and readiness may seem expensive initially, but they’re worth the investment when you consider the cost of a breach. And those numbers don’t even account for reputational damage.
A clearly defined compliance program also supports operational maturity—providing frameworks for governance, incident response, and access control and improving operational efficiency. In some cases, it can even lower insurance premiums.
CMMC compliance is a strategic investment
CMMC isn’t just a line-item cost. It’s an investment in future business opportunities and resilience. CMMC is another way to protect your position in the market as a leading supplier for the DoD and its subcontractors.
Compliance is a competitive differentiator to current and prospective partners and clients and gives you an edge when approaching new bids or business. Even if your clients don’t require CMMC compliance, they may engage with people who do. Organizations can ask for CMMC requirements even if they’re not obligated to by the Department of Defense. Ask yourself, when you’re looking for an expert – don’t you look for the one that appears the most qualified? CMMC certification demonstrates that you’re committed to security, something most organizations appreciate.
CMMC also proves operational maturity, can help reduce cybersecurity risk, and creates reputational trust —benefits that endure beyond defense work.
Cyber74’s Recommendation
Cyber74 strongly recommends beginning compliance preparations now. Even if your upcoming contracts don’t reference CMMC yet, it’s only a matter of time. CMMC can be a lengthy process, and giving yourself plenty of time to achieve compliance helps ensure success.
Third-party assessments and strong security governance can be effective trust signals to peers, primes, and government buyers. It’s important to remember that certification costs are part of strategic risk mitigation, not sunk costs. Your organization’s ability to win new DoD contracts over the next few years depends on proactive, strategic investment in certified cybersecurity maturity.
Find a cybersecurity partner who understands the true scope of investing in CMMC compliance – both time and financial. The right partner will help you stay on track, within budget, and ahead of deadlines. Cyber74 has a team of CMMC experts in-house ready to help.
Reach out to us to start your CMMC journey today!
Want more info on CMMC? Check out our on-demand webinar, CMMC: Your Compliance Roadmap. In this session, we share what you can expect when you embark on your CMMC project, planning for important compliance milestones, and tips for ensuring success. Watch now.