Bluestreak Compliance™ Reading Time: 5 minutes
Table of Contents
Why Working with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Experts is a Smart Strategy
What Qualifies Someone as a True CMMC Expert?
The Hidden Risks of Going It Alone
The Cost of Compliance vs. The Cost of Non-Compliance
Conclusion
CMMC Compliance: Don’t Go It Alone – Here’s Why
Achieving CMMC compliance is crucial for businesses handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), but navigating it alone can be very risky. While some companies attempt to navigate CMMC compliance alone, this approach often leads to delays, costly mistakes, and lost contracts. Here’s why working with CMMC experts is the smarter strategy.
For companies working with the Department of Defense (DoD), CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) compliance is now a business requirement. Handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) without proper security measures puts both national security and business continuity at risk.
While some companies attempt to navigate CMMC compliance alone, this approach often leads to delays, costly mistakes, and lost contracts. Here’s why working with CMMC experts is the smarter strategy.
What Qualifies Someone as a True CMMC Expert?
In the world of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), expertise isn’t just about understanding compliance frameworks—it’s about guiding organizations through the complex journey of securing sensitive government information. A true CMMC expert possesses deep knowledge of the CMMC framework, hands-on experience with compliance implementation, and a proven ability to navigate evolving cybersecurity regulations.
One key player in this ecosystem is a Registered Provider Organization (RPO)—an entity authorized by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber-AB) to provide advisory services. RPOs help organizations assess their cybersecurity posture, prepare for CMMC assessments, and implement the necessary controls to achieve certification. These professionals don’t just understand the requirements; they translate them into actionable security strategies that protect controlled unclassified information (CUI) and the defense supply chain.
So, what truly makes someone a CMMC expert? It’s not just certification or familiarity with compliance checklists—it’s the ability to interpret, implement, and future-proof an organization’s cybersecurity strategy in alignment with DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC 2.0.
The Complexity of CMMC Compliance
CMMC compliance is built upon the NIST SP 800-171 R2 framework, which includes:
110 security controls across domains like access control, risk management, and incident response.
Technical, administrative, and procedural changes that must be fully documented.
Third-party assessments to verify compliance before contracts can be awarded.
Interpreting these requirements correctly can be challenging for businesses. Mistakes in security implementations, policy documentation, or audit preparation can cause businesses to fail assessments, requiring costly remediation efforts.
The Hidden Risks of Going It Alone
Companies that attempt CMMC compliance without external support often face several challenges:
Unclear Regulatory Language – DoD cybersecurity regulations can be confusing, leading to misinterpretation and ineffective compliance measures.
Higher Costs & Delays – A failed assessment means spending more money on fixes, reassessments, and lost business opportunities.
Increased Cybersecurity Risks – Companies remain vulnerable to data breaches and cyber threats without proper implementation.
Loss of Competitive Advantage – Non-compliance leads to ineligibility for DoD contracts, putting businesses at a disadvantage.
How Expert Guidance Can Help
Expert Guidance Helps – CMMC Registered Practitioner Organizations (RPOs) and their teams of Registered Practitioners (RPs) and Registered Practitioners Advanced (RPAs) offer:
Gap Assessments – Identifying security weaknesses before a formal audit.
Security Control Implementation – Ensuring proper configurations and policies meet CMMC requirements.
CMMC required documents, including policies, procedures, and System Security Plans (SSPs).
Audit Preparation – Helping businesses document and demonstrate compliance effectively.
Continuous Monitoring & Improvement – Keeping security controls up to date to maintain compliance.
The Cost of Compliance vs. The Cost of Non-Compliance
Many businesses hesitate to invest in expert guidance due to perceived high costs. However, the cost of non-compliance is significantly greater. Consider the risks:
Remediation Costs – Fixing failed assessments is often more expensive than doing it right the first time.
Lost Revenue – Non-compliance results in forfeited DoD contracts and future business opportunities.
Legal & Reputation Damage – Data breaches due to poor security can lead to lawsuits and loss of trust.
By working with experienced professionals, businesses save time, money, and resources while ensuring long-term cybersecurity resilience.
Conclusion CMMC Compliance: Don’t Go It Alone – Here’s Why
CMMC compliance isn’t just about meeting DoD regulations, it’s about protecting sensitive data, securing future business, and strengthening cybersecurity. The risks of navigating this process alone far outweigh the investment in expert support.
Instead of struggling with compliance complexities, partnering with CMMC experts ensures a smoother, faster, and more cost-effective path to certification. Don’t go it alone, secure your company’s future by taking the right approach today.
Don’t wait until you start losing DoD business. The CMMC certification is more than just a requirement; it’s a prerequisite to securing your current and future business in the defense industry supply chain. The stakes are high, but so are the rewards. Bluestreak Compliance™ will partner with you to streamline and successfully complete this process, ensuring you achieve CMMC certification efficiently and effectively.
At Bluestreak Compliance™, we recognize the challenges you may encounter on your journey to compliance. Download our Free Compliance eBook to gain more insights about compliance achievement, management, and assurance.
Bluestreak Compliance™ provides affordable and effective compliance solutions for businesses with services delivered by CMMC Registered Practitioners Advanced (RPAs). Bluestreak Compliance™ is a CMMC Registered Practitioners Organization (RPO) designed to help your company achieve compliance through our proven methods. Support can be tailored to your unique requirements, whether leading your project or collaborating with your Project Manager. Partner with Bluestreak Compliance™ for answers to your cybersecurity, DFARS, NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, and CMMC 2.0 questions.
About the Author
Joe Coleman is the Cyber Security Director for Bluestreak Compliance™, a division of Throughput | Bluestreak | Bright AM™. Joe is a Certified CMMC-RPA (Registered Practitioner Advanced). Contact Joe Coleman at joe.coleman@go-throughput.com or 513-900-7934 for any questions and a free consultation.
About Bluestreak™:
Bluestreak™ is a fully integrated Quality Management System (QMS) and Manufacturing Execution System (MES) designed for the manufacturing environment and service-based manufacturing companies (metal-treating/powder-coating, plating, heat-treating, forging, and metal-finishing), businesses that receive customers’ parts, perform a process (service) on them, and send those parts back to the customer). Companies need MES software tailored to specific functionality and workflow needs, such as industry-specific specifications management, intuitive scheduling control for staff and machinery maintenance, and the ability to manage work orders and track real-time data. If different work centers on the production floor aren’t “speaking” to each other via the MES, the data loses value and becomes disjointed or lost in disparate silos.
Bluestreak | Bright AM™ is a QMS + MES software solution specifically designed to manage and optimize the unique requirements of Additive Manufacturing’s production of parts and powder inventory genealogy usage.
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