At this year’s RAMPCon, one message was clear: waiting is not a strategy.
With CFR 48 around the corner and CMMC squarely in the spotlight, we used our panel to address what’s really at stake for federal contractors. Spoiler: it’s not just about compliance—it’s about contracts, credibility, and competitiveness.
During the Lessons from the Field panel, the experts focused on the rising risks of delay. Too many organizations are still betting on CMMC being pushed off—or worse, thinking they can “wing it” when the time comes. But the truth is, the cost of scrambling later will far exceed the cost of starting now.
If you’re aiming to stay in the defense ecosystem—or even grow within it—CMMC readiness is already a factor in how primes and partners view your organization. It's not hypothetical anymore; it’s a procurement signal.
The panelists walked through what successful preparation actually entails:
This isn’t about perfection. It’s about building a security-forward posture that stands up to scrutiny—because that’s where the bar is heading.
Yes, CMMC is a requirement—but that’s not the only reason to pursue it. Done right, it’s a differentiator.
It shows maturity. It builds trust with prime contractors. It speeds up your next contract negotiation. If your competitors aren’t ready, they become the risk. You become the safer bet.
CMMC came up beyond our panel, too—especially in discussions around how FedRAMP, GovRAMP, and CMMC could (and should) harmonize. But we’re not there yet.
Each framework brings its own nuance and intent. There’s overlap, yes—but not duplication. That means organizations still need to treat each with the respect it deserves. Harmonization may be the future, but today, you still have to earn each stamp separately.
One thing’s for sure: every framework we talked about—FedRAMP, GovRAMP, CMMC—is rooted in the same foundational goal: stronger security across the federal ecosystem. Compliance isn’t the enemy of innovation. It’s the scaffolding that makes innovation sustainable.
If you’ve been standing still, now’s the time to change that. Coalfire Federal supports both sides of the journey—as a CMMC RPO and C3PAO. Whether you need advisory help or you're ready to schedule your assessment, our team knows the road forward and how to navigate it.
Let’s stop waiting and start winning. Talk to an expert today.