IT Services Built for the
Defense Industrial Base
Defense contractors face IT requirements that generic MSPs cannot meet. From CMMC 2.0 compliance and ITAR controls to CUI enclaves and GCC High environments, we deliver managed IT services purpose-built for organizations serving the Department of Defense.
CMMC Registered Practitioner on staff. 23+ years in business. BBB A+ Accredited since 2003. Serving the Defense Industrial Base from Raleigh, NC.
Q: What IT requirements do defense contractors have that standard MSPs cannot meet? Defense contractors must comply with DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800-171 (110 security controls), and CMMC 2.0 certification requirements. This means CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) must be stored in compliant enclaves, email must use GCC High or equivalent FedRAMP-authorized platforms, and all IT systems must meet specific technical configurations that most commercial MSPs are not equipped to implement. Talk to our CMMC RP.
Why Defense Contractors Need Specialized IT
The DoD supply chain is under constant cyberattack. Regulatory requirements are strict, penalties are severe, and a single compliance failure can cost you your government contracts.
CMMC 2.0 Is Mandatory
Starting in 2025, defense contractors must achieve CMMC certification to bid on DoD contracts. Level 2 requires implementation of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls with third-party assessment.
CUI Must Be Protected
Controlled Unclassified Information requires segregated storage, encrypted transmission, access logging, and specific retention policies. Standard cloud storage and email will not meet these requirements.
ITAR Export Controls
International Traffic in Arms Regulations require that technical data be accessible only by U.S. persons. Cloud services must be physically located in the U.S. with personnel access restrictions that commercial platforms cannot guarantee.
Nation-State Threat Actors
China, Russia, and other adversaries actively target the defense supply chain to steal weapons designs, logistics data, and military capabilities. Small and mid-size contractors are the weakest link and the most targeted.
CMMC 2.0 Compliance: Our End-to-End Approach
We have guided dozens of defense contractors through CMMC readiness. Our approach covers every step from initial gap assessment through audit-ready certification, including the technology changes, documentation, and training your team needs.
CMMC Gap Assessment
We audit your current IT environment against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, identify gaps, and build a System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).
CUI Enclave Design and Deployment
We architect and deploy a compliant CUI enclave separating controlled data from your general business environment. This includes GCC High migration, endpoint hardening, and network segmentation.
Policy and Training Development
We write the security policies, procedures, and training materials required for CMMC. Every employee who touches CUI must understand their responsibilities. We train them.
Assessment Preparation and Support
We prepare your evidence artifacts, conduct internal mock assessments, and support you throughout the C3PAO assessment process. Our CMMC compliance program is designed for first-time pass rates.
CMMC 2.0 Maturity Levels
Level 1: Foundational
Self-Assessment
17 practices from FAR 52.204-21. Basic cyber hygiene for Federal Contract Information (FCI). Annual self-assessment required.
Level 2: Advanced
Most Common for Contractors
110 practices from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2. Required for any contractor handling CUI. Third-party assessment (C3PAO) required for critical contracts.
Level 3: Expert
Government-Led Assessment
110+ practices including NIST SP 800-172 enhanced requirements. Reserved for the most critical defense programs. Government (DIBCAC) assessment required.
Managed IT Services for the Defense Industrial Base
Beyond compliance, defense contractors need reliable IT infrastructure that supports their mission. We provide full-stack managed IT with the security and compliance requirements built in from the ground up.
CUI Enclave Infrastructure
We design, build, and manage dedicated CUI enclaves that isolate controlled data from your general network. Physical and logical separation, encrypted storage, access controls, and audit logging that meet NIST 800-171 requirements.
- Network segmentation and VLAN isolation
- FIPS 140-2 validated encryption
- Compliant backup and disaster recovery
- Continuous monitoring and SIEM
GCC High and Azure Government
We migrate defense contractors to Microsoft 365 GCC High and Azure Government environments. These FedRAMP High-authorized platforms meet DFARS, ITAR, and NIST 800-171 requirements for email, collaboration, and cloud computing.
- M365 GCC High licensing and migration
- Azure Government cloud deployment
- Conditional Access and DLP policies
- Information protection and labeling
Endpoint Security and Hardening
Every workstation and server that touches CUI must be hardened to DISA STIG or CIS benchmark standards. We deploy, configure, and manage endpoint detection and response (EDR), application whitelisting, and host-based firewalls.
- DISA STIG / CIS benchmark hardening
- Next-gen EDR deployment
- Patch management and vulnerability scanning
- USB and removable media controls
Identity and Access Management
NIST 800-171 requires strict identification and authentication controls. We implement multi-factor authentication, privileged access management, and account lifecycle management aligned to CMMC requirements.
- FIDO2 / PIV-compliant MFA
- Privileged access workstations
- Azure AD Conditional Access
- Quarterly access reviews
24/7 Security Operations Center
NIST 800-171 requires continuous monitoring and incident response capabilities. Our SOC monitors your CUI enclave around the clock, correlating events, hunting threats, and responding to incidents in real time.
- SIEM log aggregation and correlation
- Threat hunting and anomaly detection
- Incident response and forensic investigation
- DoD incident reporting compliance
Virtual CISO for Defense Contractors
Our vCISO service provides the senior security leadership your contracts require without the cost of a full-time hire. Strategic guidance, SPRS score management, POA&M tracking, and executive reporting.
- SPRS score calculation and submission
- SSP and POA&M management
- Board and contracting officer reporting
- Subcontractor flow-down compliance
DFARS and ITAR Compliance Support
Defense contractors operate under multiple overlapping regulatory frameworks. We help you navigate DFARS 252.204-7012, ITAR, and the intersection with CMMC so nothing falls through the cracks.
DFARS 252.204-7012 Requirements
Adequate Security for CDI
Implement all 110 NIST SP 800-171 security requirements for systems processing, storing, or transmitting Covered Defense Information.
72-Hour Incident Reporting
Report cyber incidents to DIBNet within 72 hours. Preserve images and forensic data for 90 days. We automate this process with our incident response retainer.
Cloud Service Provider Requirements
All cloud services used for CUI must be FedRAMP Moderate (or equivalent) authorized. We ensure your cloud stack meets this threshold.
Subcontractor Flow-Down
DFARS requirements flow down to subcontractors. We help you evaluate and monitor your supply chain's compliance posture.
ITAR Technical Data Controls
U.S. Person Access Only
ITAR-controlled technical data must be accessible only by U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected persons. We configure role-based controls to enforce this.
Domestic Data Residency
All ITAR data must reside on servers physically located in the United States. We deploy compliant infrastructure through Azure Government and on-premises solutions.
Encrypted Communications
Email, file transfers, and remote access involving ITAR data require end-to-end encryption with FIPS 140-2 validated modules.
Export Control Audit Trail
Maintain detailed logs of who accessed ITAR data, when, and from where. Our monitoring solutions provide the audit trail DDTC expects.
Why Defense Contractors Choose Petronella
Years Serving the Defense Industrial Base
NIST 800-171 Controls We Implement
Client Breaches Under Our Program
CMMC Registered Practitioner on Staff
Craig Petronella, CMMC RP
Craig Petronella is a CMMC Registered Practitioner and Licensed Digital Forensics Examiner with 30+ years of cybersecurity experience. He has helped defense contractors across the supply chain achieve CMMC readiness, implement compliant CUI enclaves, and pass C3PAO assessments.
Our team understands the unique pressure defense contractors face: winning contracts requires compliance, but compliance must not slow down your mission. We make both possible.
IT for Defense Contractors FAQ
What is CMMC 2.0 and when does it take effect?
CMMC 2.0 (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is a DoD program that requires defense contractors to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity through independent assessments. The final rule was published in late 2024, with phased implementation beginning in 2025. Contractors handling CUI will need Level 2 certification (110 NIST 800-171 controls) assessed by a C3PAO to bid on applicable contracts. Learn more about CMMC compliance.
What is a CUI enclave and do I need one?
A CUI enclave is a segregated portion of your IT environment specifically designed and configured to handle Controlled Unclassified Information in compliance with NIST SP 800-171. It separates CUI-processing systems from your general business network, reducing your compliance scope and cost. If your company handles CUI from DoD contracts, a CUI enclave is the most cost-effective path to CMMC Level 2 compliance.
What is the difference between GCC and GCC High?
Microsoft 365 GCC (Government Community Cloud) is designed for government agencies and contractors handling FCI. GCC High meets the more stringent requirements of DFARS, ITAR, and NIST 800-171 for contractors handling CUI. GCC High is hosted in U.S.-only data centers operated by screened U.S. persons, making it the standard choice for defense contractors handling controlled information.
How long does it take to become CMMC Level 2 compliant?
Timeline varies based on your current security posture, but most small to mid-size defense contractors achieve CMMC Level 2 readiness in 6 to 12 months. This includes gap assessment, CUI enclave deployment, GCC High migration, policy development, employee training, and evidence collection. Petronella accelerates this timeline with our structured compliance program. Start with a risk assessment.
What is an SPRS score and why does it matter?
The Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score is a self-assessment score between –203 and 110 based on your implementation of NIST SP 800-171 controls. It is required under DFARS 252.204-7019 and must be submitted to the DoD before you can be awarded contracts. Contracting officers check SPRS scores as part of the evaluation process. Petronella helps you calculate, improve, and submit your SPRS score.
Does Petronella serve defense contractors outside of North Carolina?
Yes. While headquartered in Raleigh, NC, Petronella Technology Group serves defense contractors nationwide. Our CMMC readiness assessments, CUI enclave deployments, GCC High migrations, and managed IT services are delivered both remotely and on-site as needed. We have supported defense contractors across the eastern seaboard and beyond for over 23 years.
Protect Your Contracts. Protect Your Mission.
CMMC assessments are coming. Whether you need a gap analysis, a full CUI enclave deployment, or ongoing managed IT with DFARS compliance baked in, our team is ready. The first consultation is free.