Now the CMMC 2.0 final rule has gone into effect, Level 2 certification has morphed from a distant nightmare into a reality that’s haunting many DoD contractors’ every waking hour.
It’s time to face the music: your business needs to start preparing, and it needs to start preparing now. The road is long and tedious – but an IT support team can make small business CMMC certification a whole lot less strenuous.
Today, we’re discussing five common CMMC concerns you might have and the strategies IT providers like us use to address them. Ready to jump in?
In this article:
- Compliance roadmaps
- Increased resources
- Documentation management
- Cybersecurity best practice training
- Pre-assessment audits
“Where Do We Even Start?”
If you have no idea what’s required to become compliant, don’t worry – you’re not alone. With 110 controls and 320 Assessment Objectives (or AOs) to get your head around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
This is especially true if you’re a subcontractor who’s recently been informed that, because of a prime contractor in your supply chain, you’re now expected to achieve CMMC compliance.
Even with some understanding of the requirements, small businesses often lack the in-house expertise to assess their current systems or determine the appropriate level of certification – and that’s where we come in.
How IT Providers Can Help: Tailored Compliance Roadmaps
An experienced IT provider can provide help with CMMC certification by first conducting a comprehensive gap analysis. This process involves evaluating your current cybersecurity posture against CMMC standards and identifying the areas that need improvement.
The next step is creating a custom compliance roadmap. Instead of generic advice, we develop a step-by-step plan specifically for your business, outlining:
- The exact controls required for your certification level (Level 1 or Level 2).
- Tools and processes you need to implement.
- Milestones and timelines to stay on track.
By delivering clarity through a structured plan, CMMC IT support in Virginia gives you an efficient path through what can otherwise feel like a maze.
“We Don’t Have the Capacity to Overhaul Our Systems”
Implementing the systems and processes required for CMMC certification takes significant time and effort—resources many small government contractors simply don’t have. IT teams (where they exist) are often stretched thin, and managing daily operations can leave little room for CMMC preparations.
How We Take the Burden Off Your Team
One of the key benefits of working with us is having a partner to manage the implementation process for you.
While your people focus on their core tasks, we can:
- Deploy new systems and tools that align with small business CMMC requirements.
- Configure security controls, like access management and encryption, across your organization.
- Document all changes and processes thoroughly to ensure you’ve got evidence of your compliance efforts.
Instead of pulling your team away from their day-to-day, IT providers like us handle the heavy lifting, making the transition smooth and minimally disruptive.
“How Can We Manage and Document Everything Without Falling Behind?”
It’s true: staying on top of compliance efforts requires meticulous tracking and documentation. For small businesses, it’s easy for things to slip through the cracks, especially when multiple systems and teams are involved.
Without a centralized way to manage compliance, you risk oversights that could lead to certification delays or failure.
Why We Deploy Automation Tools for Compliance Management
Automation tools help with CMMC certification (and making sure you maintain it when it comes time for renewal) by simplifying compliance tracking.
They can assist with:
- Monitoring security controls to ensure they’re implemented and operational.
- Generating compliance access and event logs required for third-party assessments.
By introducing automation alongside human oversight, you not only save time, but also ensure that every requirement is met ahead of the assessment.
“How Do We Ensure Our Team Doesn’t Slip Up (and Cause Us to Fail Certification)?”
One of the most common concerns for those pursuing small business CMMC certification is ensuring that all staff follow proper cybersecurity protocols. Even if your systems are configured correctly, human error—like mishandling sensitive data or failing to identify phishing attempts—can put compliance at risk.
How IT Providers Help Change Your Cybersecurity Culture
A great way to address this challenge is by delivering tailored staff security awareness training programs, led by experienced IT support.
It’s good practice to embed cybersecurity into your workplace culture anyway; regular reminders and sharing articles like this one make sure your team remains alert about using technology safely.
But these specific programs also educate your team on CMMC standards and their role in maintaining compliance.
They typically include:
- Proper handling of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
- Recognizing and avoiding cybersecurity threats.
- Adhering to company policies on access controls and incident response.
Additionally, IT providers can conduct simulated phishing tests or cybersecurity drills to reinforce best practices and ensure your team is prepared for real-world scenarios. With everyone aligned, your business can feel more confident heading into the certification process.
“What if We Fail Certification Because We Missed Something?”
Achieving CMMC compliance as a small government contractor requires meeting all the necessary controls without exceptions. You’re investing a lot of time and money into preparing, so naturally, you don’t want last-minute surprises or oversights cropping up during third-party assessments.
The Benefits of Pre-Assessment Audits and Ongoing Support
To ensure there are no gaps in your compliance efforts, IT service providers will perform pre-assessment audits. These simulate the official third-party assessment, identifying any remaining weaknesses or oversights before you undergo the real thing.
Their assistance also extends beyond assessment, helping you maintain compliance long after certification.
This includes:
- Continuous monitoring of your security systems.
- Updating policies and controls as new requirements emerge.
- Preparing for certification renewals, which occur every three years.
By partnering with CMMC IT support in Virginia, you can avoid surprises during the assessment and feel certain that you’ve done everything needed to succeed.
The Upshot
Achieving CMMC certification is no longer optional for contractors and subcontractors working with the Department of Defense (DoD). It’s a necessary step to secure contracts and protect sensitive information. However, navigating the process doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
By working with an experienced IT provider, you can overcome common hurdles and successfully streamline your path to compliance. Whether you need help with CMMC certification or ongoing support after achieving it, IT services offer the expertise and tools needed to ensure success.
Need Help With CMMC Certification? Partner With Infinity Technologies: North Virginia’s Premier Managed IT, Cybersecurity, and IT Support Team
If your business is preparing for CMMC certification, don’t wait to get started.
At Infinity Technologies, we specialize in providing IT and cybersecurity solutions that cover all bases—from support and ongoing assessments to threat management, response, and recovery—to SMBs in Charlottesville, VA, and beyond.
Our services are designed to keep your business safe, secure, and operational, no matter the challenges you face.
Curious to see the difference we can make for your SMB? Contact us today to learn how our IT support and cybersecurity solutions can provide the robust protection your business deserves
