Federal Contractors

CMMC for Federal Contractors and DANC Members

Understanding Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification requirements for defense contractors, subcontractors, and Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) members in the Research Triangle.

Why CMMC Was Created

The Department of Defense developed CMMC because voluntary self-attestation under DFARS was failing to produce adequate cybersecurity across the defense supply chain. Despite NIST SP 800-171 being a contractual requirement since December 2017, many contractors remained non-compliant, leaving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) vulnerable to theft by adversaries.

The consequences of this gap are significant. Cyber espionage targeting the defense industrial base costs the United States hundreds of billions of dollars in stolen intellectual property and compromised weapons system designs. Notable incidents have demonstrated how adversary nations have exploited weak contractor cybersecurity to obtain sensitive defense technology data.

The core problem: The guidelines in NIST SP 800-171 are highly effective when properly implemented. The failure was in verification -- self-attestation without independent assessment allowed non-compliant organizations to continue receiving contracts.

CMMC and North Carolina's Defense Community

North Carolina is home to one of the largest concentrations of military installations and defense contractors in the United States. The Research Triangle Park (RTP) area, Fort Liberty (formerly Fort Bragg), Camp Lejeune, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, and Seymour Johnson Air Force Base all generate significant defense contracting activity.

The Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) supports this community by connecting defense businesses, advocating for the state's military infrastructure, and facilitating collaboration. CMMC compliance is particularly relevant for DANC members because:

  • Many Triangle-area companies serve as subcontractors to large defense primes and must meet the same CMMC requirements as the primes for the CUI they handle
  • Small and mid-sized defense contractors, which are prevalent in the RTP corridor, often face the greatest challenges in achieving compliance due to limited IT resources
  • The phased rollout of CMMC requirements means early preparation provides a competitive advantage in the local defense marketplace
  • North Carolina's growing cybersecurity and technology sector creates both opportunities and demand for CMMC-compliant organizations

What CMMC Requires

CMMC 2.0 establishes three maturity levels, each with specific practices and assessment requirements:

  • Level 1 (Foundational): 17 basic safeguarding practices from FAR 52.204-21 for contractors handling only Federal Contract Information (FCI). Requires annual self-assessment.
  • Level 2 (Advanced): All 110 security requirements from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 for contractors handling CUI. Requires triennial third-party assessment by a C3PAO for critical national security programs, or self-assessment for other programs.
  • Level 3 (Expert): Additional requirements from NIST SP 800-172 for protecting CUI against Advanced Persistent Threats. Requires triennial government-led assessment by DIBCAC.

The final rule (32 CFR Part 170) was published in October 2024, and CMMC requirements are being phased into contracts starting in 2025. All DoD contracts are expected to include CMMC requirements by 2028.

Why Self-Attestation Failed

Before CMMC, the DoD relied on contractors to self-assess and self-report their compliance with NIST SP 800-171. The problems with this approach were well-documented:

  • Lack of verification: No independent party checked whether claimed security controls were actually implemented
  • Complexity: Many small contractors found the 110 requirements of NIST SP 800-171 overwhelming without expert guidance
  • Knowledge gaps: Organizations did not know what they did not know -- they often believed they were compliant when they were not
  • No consequences: Prior to the DFARS Interim Rule (2020), there was minimal enforcement of compliance requirements

CMMC addresses these issues by requiring independent assessment for the highest-risk contractors and by clearly defining what compliance looks like at each level.

How PTG Supports Federal Contractors

Petronella Technology Group is a CMMC Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) headquartered in Raleigh, NC. Our team of certified Registered Practitioners has extensive experience implementing NIST SP 800-171, NIST SP 800-53, and DFARS requirements for defense contractors throughout North Carolina.

PTG's services for federal contractors include:

  • CMMC Readiness Gap Analysis: Detailed assessment of your current cybersecurity posture against CMMC Level 2 requirements, with a prioritized remediation roadmap
  • System Security Plan (SSP) Development: Creation of comprehensive documentation covering your system boundary, CUI data flows, and control implementations
  • Technical Remediation: Implementation of technical controls including access management, encryption, SIEM deployment, multi-factor authentication, and endpoint protection
  • Policy and Procedure Development: Creation of the organizational policies required across all 14 CMMC domains
  • SPRS Score Submission: Accurate self-assessment and score submission to the Supplier Performance Risk System
  • Pre-Assessment Mock Reviews: Simulation of the C3PAO assessment process to identify and resolve issues before your formal assessment
  • Secure CUI Enclaves: Virtual workspace environments designed to isolate CUI processing and minimize your assessment boundary

The Timeline to Act

Defense contractors who wait until CMMC appears in their contract solicitations risk being too late. Based on the phased rollout timeline:

  • Now: Conduct a gap analysis, understand your current SPRS score, and begin remediation planning
  • 6-12 months: Complete technical and procedural remediation, finalize your SSP, and close POA&M items
  • 12-18 months: Conduct pre-assessment reviews and schedule your C3PAO assessment

Organizations starting from scratch should plan for 12 to 18 months of preparation. Those with existing NIST SP 800-171 implementations may need less time, but should still conduct a thorough readiness assessment to identify overlooked gaps.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is DANC and how does CMMC affect its members?

The Defense Alliance of North Carolina (DANC) is an organization supporting North Carolina's defense community. Many DANC members are defense contractors or subcontractors who handle CUI and will need CMMC Level 2 certification to maintain their DoD contracts.

Does CMMC apply to subcontractors?

Yes. CMMC applies to all organizations in the DoD supply chain that handle FCI or CUI, including subcontractors at every tier. The required level depends on the type of information handled, not your position in the supply chain.

What if my company only handles FCI, not CUI?

If your contract involves only Federal Contract Information, you need CMMC Level 1, which requires 17 basic safeguarding practices and annual self-assessment. No third-party assessment is required for Level 1.

How do I determine what level I need?

Your required CMMC level will be specified in the contract solicitation. Generally, contracts involving CUI require Level 2, and contracts involving only FCI require Level 1. Level 3 is specified for the most sensitive programs.

What is the cost of CMMC non-compliance?

Non-compliance means you cannot receive or continue DoD contracts requiring CMMC. Beyond lost contracts, False Claims Act liability exists for inaccurate self-assessments, which can result in significant financial penalties and debarment from government contracting.

Can PTG help small defense contractors in the Triangle?

Yes. PTG is headquartered in Raleigh and specializes in serving small and mid-sized defense contractors in the Research Triangle area. We offer scalable solutions designed for organizations with limited IT staff and budgets.

Is PTG a CMMC assessor?

PTG is a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO), not a C3PAO. We prepare organizations for CMMC certification but do not conduct the formal assessment. This separation ensures the integrity of the assessment process.

What is the SPRS score and do I need one?

The Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score reflects your organization's self-assessed compliance with NIST SP 800-171. Scores range from -203 to 110. All contractors handling CUI must have a current SPRS score posted under DFARS 252.204-7019 and 7020.

Protect Your Defense Contracts

PTG's CMMC Registered Practitioners are ready to help Triangle-area defense contractors achieve compliance.

Schedule a Free Consultation Call us: 919-348-4912

5540 Centerview Dr., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606

Why Choose Petronella Technology Group

Petronella Technology Group has been a trusted IT and cybersecurity partner for businesses across Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, Cary, Apex, and the Research Triangle since 2002. Led by CEO Craig Petronella, an NC Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner (License# 604180-DFE), CMMC Certified Registered Practitioner, Cybersecurity Expert Witness, Hyperledger Certified, and MIT-certified professional in cybersecurity, AI, blockchain, and compliance, PTG brings deep expertise to every engagement.

With BBB accreditation since 2003 and more than 2,500 businesses served, PTG has the experience and track record to deliver results. Craig Petronella is an Amazon number-one best-selling author of books including "How HIPAA Can Crush Your Medical Practice," "How Hackers Can Crush Your Law Firm," and "The Ultimate Guide To CMMC." He has been featured on ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and WRAL, and serves as an expert witness for law firms in cybercrime and compliance cases.

PTG holds certifications including CCNA, MCNS, Microsoft Cloud Essentials, and specializes in CMMC 2.0, NIST 800-171/172/173, HIPAA, FTC Safeguards, SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, GDPR, CCPA, and ISO 27001 compliance. Our forensic specialties include endpoint and networking cybercrime investigation, data breach forensics, ransomware analysis, data exfiltration investigation, cryptocurrency and blockchain analysis, and SIM swap fraud investigation.

The PTG Compliance Process

Achieving and maintaining regulatory compliance requires a structured, repeatable process. PTG has developed a proven compliance methodology refined over more than two decades of helping businesses navigate complex regulatory requirements. Our process begins with a comprehensive gap assessment that evaluates your current policies, procedures, and technical controls against the specific requirements of your target framework. This assessment identifies exactly where your organization stands and what needs to be done to achieve compliance.

Following the gap assessment, PTG develops a prioritized remediation roadmap that outlines every action item needed to close identified gaps. We categorize items by risk level and effort required, allowing organizations to address the most critical deficiencies first while planning for longer-term improvements. Our consultants work alongside your team to implement technical controls, develop required policies and procedures, create employee training programs, and establish the documentation and evidence collection processes needed to demonstrate compliance during audits and assessments.

Compliance is not a one-time project but an ongoing commitment. Regulations evolve, threats change, and business environments shift. PTG provides continuous compliance monitoring services that track your compliance status in real time, alert you to emerging gaps, and ensure that your security controls remain effective. We conduct regular internal audits, update policies as regulations change, and prepare your organization for external audits or assessments. Our goal is to make compliance a natural part of your business operations rather than a periodic scramble to meet audit deadlines.

For organizations subject to multiple compliance frameworks, PTG takes a unified approach that maps overlapping requirements across frameworks. Rather than implementing separate programs for each regulation, we build a comprehensive security and compliance program that satisfies multiple requirements simultaneously. This integrated approach reduces costs, eliminates redundant processes, and provides a clearer picture of your overall security and compliance posture, making it easier to manage ongoing obligations and demonstrate compliance to auditors, clients, and business partners.

Our Approach to Cybersecurity

At Petronella Technology Group, cybersecurity is not just about installing antivirus software or setting up a firewall. We take a comprehensive, layered approach to security that addresses people, processes, and technology. Our methodology is built on industry-standard frameworks including NIST Cybersecurity Framework, CIS Controls, and MITRE ATT&CK, ensuring that your security program is aligned with the same standards used by Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Every engagement begins with a thorough assessment of your current security posture, followed by a prioritized remediation roadmap that addresses your most critical risks first.

Our security operations team provides continuous monitoring through our Security Information and Event Management platform, which correlates events across your entire environment to detect threats in real time. When a potential threat is identified, our analysts investigate and respond immediately, often containing threats before they can cause damage. This proactive approach dramatically reduces the risk of successful cyberattacks and provides the rapid response capability that is essential in today's threat landscape.

We believe that employee awareness is one of the most important layers of defense. Human error remains the leading cause of data breaches, and no amount of technology can fully compensate for untrained employees. PTG provides comprehensive security awareness training programs that educate your team about phishing, social engineering, password security, data handling, and incident reporting. Our training programs include simulated phishing campaigns that test employee readiness and identify areas where additional education is needed, helping organizations build a strong security culture from the ground up.

Beyond prevention, PTG prepares organizations for the reality that breaches can occur despite the best defenses. Our incident response planning services help businesses develop, document, and test response procedures so that when an incident does occur, your team knows exactly what to do. From tabletop exercises to full incident simulations, we ensure that your organization is prepared to respond quickly and effectively, minimizing damage, preserving evidence, and meeting all regulatory notification requirements within required timeframes.

Ready to Get Started?

Contact Petronella Technology Group today for a free consultation. Serving Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and the Research Triangle since 2002.

919-348-4912 Schedule a Free Consultation

5540 Centerview Dr., Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27606