For many small businesses, cybersecurity has long been treated as an IT issue rather than a business requirement. That approach no longer works when doing business with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was created to ensure that companies across the defense industrial base protect sensitive government information consistently and effectively. If your business works with the DoD—or plans to—you cannot afford to ignore CMMC.

Why CMMC Exists

CMMC was introduced in response to a growing problem:
defense contractors were losing sensitive data through weak or inconsistent cybersecurity practices.

For years, contractors were required to follow security rules under the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). However, enforcement relied heavily on self-attestation, and many organizations either misunderstood the requirements or failed to implement them properly. At the same time, cyberattacks targeting defense supply chains became more frequent and more sophisticated.

CMMC was designed to fix that gap by:

• Standardizing cybersecurity expectations

• Increasing accountability

• Ensuring sensitive information is protected at every tier of the supply chain

What CMMC Actually Is

CMMC is not a single tool, product, or software solution.
It is a framework that defines how cybersecurity should be implemented, documented, and assessed.

The framework establishes different maturity levels based on:

• The type of information a company handles

• The level of risk associated with that information

• The security practices required to protect it

At its core, CMMC ensures that companies handling government data apply security measures appropriate to the sensitivity of that data

Why Small Businesses Are Directly Impacted

A common misconception is that CMMC only applies to large defense contractors. In reality, small businesses make up a significant portion of the defense supply chain, and many of them handle sensitive information—often without realizing it.

If your company:

• Performs work for a prime defense contractor

• Receives federal contract information

• Supports DoD programs in any technical or administrative capacity

then CMMC may apply to you.

Under CMMC, non-compliant businesses may be ineligible for future contracts, regardless of past performance or pricing advantages.

CMMC Is a Business Requirement—Not an IT Preference

CMMC changes how cybersecurity is viewed in defense contracting. It is no longer optional, informal, or purely technical.

Compliance affects:

• Contract eligibility

• Vendor relationships

• Risk exposure

• Organizational credibility

Cybersecurity under CMMC involves leadership, policies, employee behavior, documentation, and accountability—not just firewalls and antivirus software.

The Bottom Line

CMMC exists to protect national defense information, but its impact is felt at the business level. For small businesses, compliance is not about overengineering security—it’s about meeting clear, defined expectations and proving that you can safeguard the information entrusted to you.

Ignoring CMMC doesn’t delay compliance—it removes you from the conversation entirely.