Defense suppliers have been urged to ensure compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) or risk losing their place in the Department of Defense’s (DoD) supply chain.
The warning from LRQA is specifically aimed at small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to ensure protocols are in place to ensure compliance.
The CMMC is a framework of requirements designed to enforce the protection of sensitive unclassified information shared by the DoD with its contractors and subcontractors. This latest version of the framework sees stricter standards with the DoD performing audits, and contractors may soon be required to demonstrate compliance through certification in order to remain eligible for DoD contracts, once CMMC 2.0 is fully implemented.
SMEs are under increasing pressure to improve security systems as CMMC regulations tighten. In a fiercely competitive environment, smaller firms face mounting challenges, from limited in-house expertise to the financial strains of continuously upgrading their security protocols. The shift from self-assessment to stringent, government-led audits for standards including the CMMC, can leave SMEs without dedicated cybersecurity teams particularly vulnerable.
While many companies have historically managed security internally, considering the CMMC the remit of the IT department, the reality is that it extends far beyond IT, to the physical security of documents and premises.
The growing intricacies of compliance mean that a “check-the-box” approach is no longer sufficient. Without specialized support, SMEs are expected to struggle to manage compliance demands and rapidly evolving threats, meaning they could miss out on lucrative contracts and leave themselves vulnerable to cyberattacks.
Simon Payne, Global Managing Director of Cybersecurity Division at LRQA, said: “For many SMEs, the challenge isn’t just about deploying a set of security measures; it’s about keeping pace with a regulatory environment that is constantly shifting. Engaging with external experts allows these businesses to leverage specialized skills and ensures that their security practices are not only compliant today but are resilient enough to meet tomorrow’s challenges.”
Third-party providers can bring specialist insight and a deep understanding of current compliance requirements, helping businesses cut through complexities that may stand in the way of compliance. This external support allows internal teams to focus on their own priorities while still ensuring that cyber risk is managed to the highest standard. This approach can lead to more effective resource allocation and help businesses avoid the potentially crippling costs of a security breach.
Scott Dawson, CEO of Core Business Solutions (CBS), recently acquired by LRQA, said, “Adopting external cybersecurity expertise is not about outsourcing responsibility — it’s about smartly complementing in-house capabilities.” CBS is a US-based provider of compliance advisory services that simplify the certification process, with a strong focus on quality, cybersecurity, environmental, and IT standards.
Scott continued: “CMMC is a complicated and detailed set of requirements, including detailed physical security controls such as how sensitive documents are stored and accessed, requiring measures like locked storage and restricted access. CMMC compliance is not the jurisdiction of IT alone, but the responsibility of the business as a whole. By working with specialized partners, SMEs can overcome the inherent limitations of their own resources and gain access to the latest best practices. It’s a strategic move towards continuous improvement and assurance.”
As global cyber threats evolve and standards such as the CMMC grow stricter, SMEs must adapt or risk falling behind. By embracing third-party support, these businesses can better navigate complex regulatory landscape, safeguard critical data, and ultimately secure a more resilient future.
