CMMC 2.0 Mistake #1
CMMC 2.0 Mistake #1 – Assuming IT Security Equals Compliance
Strong firewalls don’t equal certification.
It’s one of the most common misconceptions I see among small and midsize DoD contractors: believing that having good cybersecurity tools automatically means you’re ready for CMMC 2.0.
Unfortunately, that’s not how auditors see it.
CMMC 2.0 isn’t just about technology, it’s about governance. Your IT team or MSP may keep systems running smoothly, but CMMC requires proof that your security practices are documented, reviewed, and enforced across every department.
Auditors don’t grade intent; they look for evidence:
Policies that map to the 14 NIST SP 800-171 control families.
Training records showing employees understand and apply those policies.
Vendor reviews and leadership oversight showing security isn’t siloed in IT.
Without these, you may be secure but not compliant, and that’s a business risk no contractor can afford in 2025.
The Fix
To turn IT security into true compliance readiness:
Appoint a CMMC lead responsible for cross-functional governance.
Give this person authority to coordinate between IT, HR, Finance, and Operations.Integrate other departments early.
HR handles security training, Finance tracks spending controls, and executive leadership reviews and affirms overall policy.Document everything.
For each NIST control, show what’s being done and keep that evidence organized in a GRC tool or central repository.
When IT and leadership share responsibility, compliance becomes sustainable, not a fire drill.
Why It Matters
Starting November 10, 2025, CMMC requirements begin appearing in DoD solicitations. If you can’t demonstrate compliance, you can’t compete, no matter how strong your firewall is.
The organizations that align governance and IT now will be the ones still bidding (and winning) in 2026 and beyond.
Next Steps
This article is adapted from our 13-page white paper:
CMMC 2.0 Simplified: 5 Mistakes Small DoD Contractors Must Avoid to Win Contracts in 2025.
Download the full guide for all five mistakes + a one-page readiness checklist:
👉 gruntworks.tech/resources
#CMMC2025 #DoDCompliance #CybersecuritySMB
