By Travis Goldbach, VP of CMMC
The Defense Industrial Base (DIB) is facing one of the most significant cybersecurity transformations in its history. With the implementation of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), organizations must not only protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) but also demonstrate compliance through documented processes, technical controls, workforce readiness, and independent assessments.
For many organizations, navigating this journey can be overwhelming. The challenge is not simply understanding the requirements, it is identifying the right partners, technologies, expertise, and services needed to achieve and maintain compliance.
The CMMC Partner Assurance Network (CPAN) was created to address this challenge.
CPAN is an ecosystem that connects defense contractors, suppliers, and prime contractors with a trusted network of specialized partners capable of supporting every phase of the CMMC lifecycle. From strategic planning and implementation to continuous monitoring and certification assessments, CPAN provides organizations with access to proven expertise while maintaining flexibility, competition, and organizational independence.
Rather than relying on a single provider, organizations gain access to an ecosystem of reputationally sound capabilities designed to reduce risk, accelerate compliance, and improve cybersecurity maturity across the defense supply chain.
Cyber risk is increasingly concentrated within the lower tiers of the defense supply chain. While large prime contractors often have mature cybersecurity programs, many small and medium-sized suppliers struggle with limited resources, cybersecurity expertise, and regulatory complexity.
The result is:
CPAN helps organizations overcome these challenges by providing access to specialized expertise at every stage of the compliance journey.
The goal is simple: Connect organizations with the right expertise at the right time to improve cybersecurity, reduce risk, and accelerate CMMC success.
Successful CMMC programs begin with strategy.
CPAN Advisory Partners help organizations understand their current cybersecurity posture and develop a practical roadmap toward compliance.
Services include:
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These services help organizations make informed decisions before investing in technology or preparing for assessment.
People remain one of the most important components of cybersecurity.
CPAN Authorized Training Providers deliver official CMMC training and certification programs that help organizations build internal expertise.
Training supports:
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Organizations that invest in training often achieve greater operational efficiency and stronger long-term compliance outcomes.
Many organizations are modernizing their infrastructure through cloud adoption.
CPAN Cloud Service Providers offer secure cloud environments designed to support CMMC requirements and the protection of CUI.
Capabilities include:
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These solutions enable organizations to reduce operational complexity while improving security and resilience.
Ultimately, many organizations will require an independent certification assessment.
CPAN includes authorized C3PAOs that provide:
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These organizations help ensure companies understand assessment expectations and are prepared for certification activities.
Compliance is not a one-time event.
CPAN GRC and continuous monitoring partners help organizations maintain compliance through automation and visibility.
Capabilities include:
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These solutions significantly reduce the administrative burden associated with maintaining compliance.
Many organizations struggle with identifying where CUI exists within their environment.
CPAN partners assist organizations by:
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Accurate CUI identification is often one of the most critical first steps in defining a CMMC boundary.
Building a security-aware workforce is essential for compliance and risk reduction.
CPAN cybersecurity training providers deliver:
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These services strengthen organizational security culture while supporting CMMC workforce requirements.
Technology serves as a foundational element of cybersecurity maturity.
CPAN technology partners provide solutions such as:
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Organizations can leverage these solutions to address technical control requirements while improving operational security.
Organizations that require dedicated hosting environments can leverage CPAN data center providers.
Capabilities include:
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These facilities support organizations requiring specialized hosting solutions.
Some organizations prefer a fully integrated approach.
CPAN End-to-End Solution Providers deliver:
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These providers simplify vendor management and accelerate compliance efforts through a unified delivery model.
Cybersecurity is not only a technical challenge—it is also a business risk.
CPAN insurance and risk advisory partners help organizations:
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These services provide an important layer of organizational resilience.
The regulatory environment surrounding CMMC continues to evolve.
CPAN legal partners provide expertise in:
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Legal guidance helps organizations navigate complex requirements while reducing potential liability.
Many organizations lack the internal resources necessary to maintain compliant environments.
CPAN MSPs provide:
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These providers help organizations maintain operational effectiveness while meeting compliance obligations.
Cybersecurity requires continuous vigilance.
CPAN MSSPs deliver:
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These capabilities help organizations maintain strong security postures while satisfying monitoring requirements.
Many organizations require assistance integrating multiple technologies and security controls.
CPAN System Integrators provide:
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These partners ensure technologies work together effectively to support compliance objectives.
A successful cybersecurity program requires the right people in the right roles.
CPAN Workforce Alignment partners help organizations:
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This capability is particularly valuable as demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow across the defense sector.
CPAN is more than a marketplace.
It is a strategic ecosystem designed to strengthen the DIB by improving access to trusted expertise and proven solutions.
Organizations leveraging CPAN gain:
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For prime contractors, CPAN provides a scalable way to support supplier readiness without directing suppliers toward a single provider or creating organizational conflict-of-interest concerns.
For suppliers, CPAN offers a trusted starting point for navigating one of the most complex regulatory requirements facing the defense sector today.
CMMC compliance is not simply a certification exercise, it is a business transformation initiative that requires alignment across people, processes, technology, governance, and risk management.
No single organization can provide every capability required for success.
The CPAN was established to bridge that gap by connecting organizations with trusted experts across the entire compliance lifecycle.
By bringing together advisory firms, technology providers, assessors, trainers, legal experts, insurers, managed service providers, and cybersecurity specialists, CPAN helps organizations reduce risk, strengthen cybersecurity, and achieve compliance with confidence.
As the DIB continues its journey toward a more secure future, CPAN serves as a trusted ecosystem designed to support that mission every step of the way.
Explore the CPAN Network today.
Travis Goldbach is a cybersecurity and compliance leader with 20 years of experience driving growth and go-to-market strategy for federally regulated industries. He currently leads Coalfire Federal’s unified GTM strategy and previously guided AWS toward CMMC certification while helping customers advance secure, scalable compliance in the cloud.
