Executives of companies with DoD contracts understand their responsibility to safeguard sensitive government data. Many are urgently seeking clarity on how best to navigate CMMC. The 10 critical questions below will help guide strategic decisions on achieving Level 2 certification, thus protecting controlled unclassified information (CUI) within the defense industrial base (DIB).
We've identified 10 of the most common questions that executives frequently ask—or should be asking—our team about achieving and maintaining Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2. Drawing on the Coalfire Federal team's extensive experience conducting mock, certification, and joint surveillance assessments, and supporting DIB members in preparing for CMMC, we are sharing answers to these questions below.
Achieving CMMC Level 2 certification is essential if DoD contracts are a critical component of your organization's business strategy. With the passage of CFR 32, which defines the CMMC requirements, and CFR 48 pending, which outlines how those requirements will appear in contracts, compliance with CMMC will soon be a contractual mandate.
Without certification, your organization risks exclusion from bidding processes, which could significantly impact revenue streams and market position. Furthermore, certification demonstrates your organization’s proactive approach to cybersecurity maturity, fostering competitive advantage and building trust with existing and potential partners. While it’s common to hear that compliance doesn’t equal security, our experience shows that every client we’ve supported through compliance preparation has emerged more secure than before.
Most obviously, non-compliance may lead directly to contract exclusions, lost revenue opportunities, and diminished market credibility.
Subtly—and more importantly—security has long been viewed as a cost center or necessary evil. Yet data is one of the most critical assets companies possess, and securing it should be viewed as a strategic initiative.
As a result of this entrenched mindset, compliance with security regulations is still viewed with reluctance in many organizations. However, security leaders can use compliance requirements as a stepping stone toward a more robust, holistic cybersecurity plan.
Yes, CMMC only focuses on Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), but the principles used to ensure effective security policies and procedures across domains can be applied more broadly across the enterprise to reduce breach risk.
The cost of a breach varies based on the sensitivity and volume of data, and the complexity of the systems involved. However, the latest IBM breach report states that the average cost of a breach is $4.88 million. While compliance costs also vary, it is always going to be an order of magnitude less expensive than the cost of a breach.
Level 2 requirements within the CMMC framework are based on 110 controls and 320 security objectives across the 14 domains of NIST SP 800-171 R2.
It should come as no surprise that one of the largest domains is access control—an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
All NIST frameworks are grounded in a deep understanding of the security principles that protect data at every point of movement within a system—access control to manage entry points, audit and accountability to detect risks early, and incident response to ensure rapid reaction. Each domain works together to protect CUI across digital and physical environments throughout its lifecycle.
Implementing these controls helps prevent unauthorized access, data leakage, and compromise of sensitive government information.
Preparation and assessment timelines typically range from 6 to 12 months, depending on organizational size, complexity, and current cybersecurity maturity. Starting early allows time for internal remediation and system updates.
Early engagement with an experienced team like Coalfire Federal can significantly streamline the certification process.
Costs can vary widely, but most mid-size and enterprise organizations should expect to invest tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars in readiness and certification, depending on their current security posture and the scope of necessary improvements.
Budget considerations should include:
Proactive investment ensures completeness and helps reduce last-minute remediation costs—or worse, non-compliance penalties.
CMMC certification reduces the risk of data breaches, helping avoid costly recovery efforts, regulatory penalties, and legal exposure.
Organizations may benefit from:
With the right team and approach, cybersecurity investments like CMMC certification can become powerful business enablers.
Organizations must undergo formal reassessment every three years. However, maintaining compliance is a continuous process.
Coalfire Federal recommends ongoing governance and internal checks to ensure controls remain effective and your organization is always assessment-ready.
Typically, a Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) professional, CISO, or Director of Information Security leads CMMC efforts.
We strongly recommend investing in Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) training for your compliance lead. This practical investment can save time and reduce costs by ensuring someone within your organization fully understands what assessors expect.
Executive sponsorship is also essential. Your CIO or CEO should:
Cross-functional collaboration across IT, legal, operations, and procurement teams is crucial to success.
Once certified, showcase your achievement in proposals, marketing materials, and client communications.
CMMC certification signals cybersecurity maturity and resilience—qualities increasingly valued by government buyers and prime contractors. In a crowded market, it’s a differentiator that goes beyond compliance.
Mock assessments are one of the most impactful tools in your readiness toolkit.
Coalfire Federal’s mock assessments:
This practice reduces surprises and significantly improves your chance of passing the formal assessment on the first attempt.
Coalfire Federal specializes in comprehensive mock assessments and official CMMC Level 2 certification assessments for defense contractors.
Contact Coalfire Federal today to leverage our expertise and navigate your successful CMMC journey.
Learn more about the CMMC framework on the official DoD website.
Amy Williams began her career in Accounting Information Systems, a precursor to cybersecurity that imbued her with the talents and knowledge that she uses today. A member of multiple fields of study, Dr. Williams has ample experience understanding fraud, system errors in internal systems, and internet security protection. She has been on the forefront of developing cyber strategies for supply chains since the world wide web made the internet popular for sharing data in business. With both a Master’s Degree and PhD from Virginia Tech, Amy Williams has held prestigious positions with the NY Citizens Crime Commission where she built an alliance with the FBI, and she led the development of BlueVoyant's CMMC and CIS Advisory Practices prior to joining Coalfire Federal.
