Imagine losing out on a critical Department of Defense contract because you were diligently focused on meeting controls but failed to properly define the boundary against which those controls are measured. For many Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors, this scenario is a harsh reality.
Achieving CMMC Level 2 certification requires much more than checking 110 control boxes. It begins with:
Coalfire Federal is dedicated to ensuring that members of the DIB meet all CMMC compliance requirements. Below are the most common mistakes we've seen contractors make over the years—and how our expert services can help you avoid them.
The Pitfall: Many organizations fail to properly define their CMMC scope, leading to confusion about which systems, processes, and data fall under certification requirements. Poor scoping often results in either:
How to Course Correct: Our scoping services help organizations establish clear CUI boundaries, ensuring alignment with CMMC scoping guidance. One organization we supported redefined its boundaries, reducing scope complexity by 40%, simplifying compliance, and lowering costs. This exercise often provides companies with greater clarity while minimizing unnecessary expenses.
The Pitfall: Some organizations treat documentation as an afterthought, assuming they can simply explain their controls during interviews. This approach leads to gaps in compliance and increased assessment risk.
How to Course Correct: Our gap analysis service helps identify deficiencies and provides best-practice recommendations for capturing evidence of controls. We help you build a robust System Security Plan (SSP) that is assessment-ready, ensuring that documentation strengthens your compliance posture before formal assessment interviews begin.
The Pitfall: Many organizations underestimate the time, personnel, and budget required for CMMC certification, leading to rushed implementations, staff burnout, and incomplete documentation.
How to Course Correct: We recommend sending at least one team member through CMMC CCP training. This empowers them to understand requirements and build an internal compliance strategy. When companies combine internal training with our expert advisory services, compliance efforts run more smoothly.
We collaborate with clients to develop realistic project plans, ensure appropriate resource allocation, and secure executive sponsorship. If additional support is needed, our vCISO services provide access to experienced professionals without overburdening your staff.
The Pitfall: Documentation is one of the most overlooked aspects of CMMC preparation. Many organizations fail to create, update, or organize required policies, procedures, and evidence needed for assessment.
How to Course Correct: Our advisory services include tailored documentation guidance. We help clients create clear, comprehensive policies and maintain a centralized repository for efficient evidence management, ensuring compliance with CMMC requirements.
The Pitfall: Attempting CMMC compliance without expert guidance often results in superficial compliance efforts that fail to meet certification requirements.
How to Course Correct: Our CMMC-certified professionals provide expert guidance tailored to your compliance journey. We have successfully conducted multiple Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessments (JSVAs) and official CMMC assessments, giving our clients confidence and clarity throughout the certification process.
The Pitfall: Many organizations fail to integrate change management into their compliance process, leading to resistance from staff, operational disruptions, and overlooked system updates.
How to Course Correct: We help organizations embed change management into their compliance strategies, ensuring smooth adoption across teams. Our training and support services help staff embrace CMMC preparation as a cultural shift, making compliance efforts more effective.
The Pitfall: Many organizations assume their existing cybersecurity measures meet CMMC Level 2 requirements, only to discover gaps during pre-assessment or formal assessment.
How to Course Correct: Our cybersecurity assessments evaluate your current security posture against CMMC practices. Our experts identify areas for improvement and help you build a robust compliance framework before the formal audit.
The Pitfall: Without executive buy-in, CMMC preparation efforts often lack prioritization, funding, and accountability.
How to Course Correct: We engage leadership by providing strategic insights and regular updates on compliance progress. Our team helps organizations position CMMC certification as a competitive advantage, ensuring executive alignment and support.
The Pitfall: Many organizations fail to assess the compliance posture of third-party vendors, creating security vulnerabilities and non-compliance risks.
How to Course Correct: We help clients evaluate their vendor ecosystem, ensuring that third parties handling CUI meet CMMC requirements. We also assist in integrating cybersecurity expectations into contracts and developing shared responsibility matrices to clarify third-party obligations.
The Pitfall: Organizations that attempt to fast-track CMMC preparation without expert guidance often overlook critical details, leading to failed assessments and costly rework.
How to Course Correct: Our structured approach ensures thorough and deliberate preparation. We help clients prioritize activities, create realistic timelines, and achieve certification efficiently without sacrificing quality.
Your journey to CMMC Level 2 certification doesn’t have to be filled with uncertainty. With Coalfire Federal as your trusted partner, you gain more than services—you gain a strategic ally with unparalleled expertise in securing the nation’s supply chain.
Our comprehensive services include:
Talk to an expert today to learn how our expertise can safeguard your future and solidify your role in the defense ecosystem.
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.
