CMMC Enforcement Has Arrived: Why RB Advisory Is the Trusted Leader to Guide Contractors Through Mandatory Compliance
On November 10, 2025, the Department of Defense officially activated the long-awaited DFARS 48 interim rule, marking the beginning of mandatory Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements for companies seeking to win or renew federal contracts. After years of warnings, delays, and voluntary preparation periods, the era of optional cybersecurity is officially over. Any organization touching Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), whether a prime or a subcontractor, must now prove compliance through an accredited C3PAO assessment.
This moment is transformative. For the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), it ushers in the most sweeping cybersecurity accountability requirement in its history. For companies unprepared for the transition, it introduces a business-critical risk. And for those who have already invested in building strong security programs, it represents a competitive differentiator that will determine who grows and who gets left out of the federal supply chain.
At the center of this shift stands RB Advisory, led by the nationally recognized cybersecurity strategist Regine Bonneau, known across the industry as Regine the Cyber Queen™. As one of the most respected voices in compliance, cyber governance, and risk management, Bonneau and her team have been preparing defense and federal contractors for this moment long before the rule became official. Today, RB Advisory is positioned as a premier partner for organizations seeking clarity, confidence, and certification in a high-stakes compliance landscape.
The New Reality: CMMC Is Now Mandatory
CMMC was created to address a persistent, costly reality: cyber threats targeting contractors were escalating, and voluntary compliance with NIST 800-171 wasn’t enough. The result was billions in intellectual property loss, compromised missions, and weakened national security.
The updated rule changes that by requiring:
- CMMC Level 2 certification for contractors handling CUI
- Third-party assessments performed by an accredited C3PAO
- Objective verification of security controls, not self-attestation
- Alignment with NIST 800-171 requirements
- Recurring audits to ensure long-term compliance
Failure to achieve certification doesn’t just create cyber risk. It now represents a direct revenue risk, a barrier to contract awards, recompetes, and subcontracting opportunities.
Why Contractors Need a Strategic Partner, Not Just a Checklist
While CMMC is a technical standard, achieving certification is a strategic and operational challenge, impacting:
- Policies and documentation
- Internal security processes
- Technical configurations
- Identity and access management
- Vendor risk
- Data governance
- Incident response maturity
Most critically, CMMC success requires evidence, something many organizations lack even when controls are partially in place.
This is where RB Advisory excels. Rather than offering cookie-cutter templates or narrow gap assessments, the firm delivers end-to-end readiness, built on years of experience in regulated cybersecurity environments. Their methodology integrates:
- Complete NIST 800-171 readiness analysis
- Evidence and artifact preparation aligned to C3PAO review standards
- Policy creation and enhancement
- Control implementation support
- Risk scoring and priority mapping
- Remediation roadmaps tailored to budget and timelines
- Mock assessments that replicate real C3PAO engagements
In other words, RB Advisory prepares companies to pass the audit with confidence, not just “attempt” it.
Regine the Cyber Queen™ on the Mandate, “Compliance Is Now a Contract Requirement, Not a Security Suggestion.”
As federal enforcement begins, Bonneau is one of the most authoritative voices shaping the industry’s response. Her message is clear: “Compliance is now a contract requirement—not a security suggestion. The organizations that take cybersecurity seriously will protect the mission, build trust, and ultimately win more opportunities. CMMC is not a burden; it’s a business accelerator. At RB Advisory, we empower companies to meet the standard with clarity, integrity, and long-term resilience.”
— Regine Bonneau, The Cyber Queen™; CEO & Founder, RB Advisory LLC
Her leadership is rooted in decades of work at the intersection of governance, cyber resilience, and critical infrastructure risk. She has advised public and private-sector organizations, spoken nationally on emerging cyber threats, and built one of the industry’s most respected firms for compliance and enterprise risk programs.
RB Advisory: A Trusted Leader in C3PAO-Focused Readiness
As defense and federal contractors rush to meet new requirements, the market is being flooded with “quick fixes,” automated tools, and one-size-fits-all kits. But RB Advisory differentiates itself through:
- Deep Federal and DIB Expertise
RB Advisory works extensively with government contractors, technology firms, logistics organizations, and professional service providers across the DIB.
- A Dedicated CMMC Readiness Team
The firm’s specialists understand how C3PAOs interpret evidence, evaluate maturity, and score compliance.
- Real-World Cybersecurity Leadership
Compliance means little without true security. RB Advisory bridges both, aligning governance and technology in a way that operationalizes protection, not just paperwork.
- A Proven Methodology
RB Advisory’s structured approach eliminates guesswork, accelerates remediation, and reduces audit friction.
- Executive-level communication
Leaders receive clear dashboards, prioritized plans, and business-aligned guidance, not technical overwhelm.
The Next Era of Federal Contracting: Compliance as a Competitive Advantage
CMMC is now a gateway requirement for doing business with the government. By 2026, nearly all new contracts containing CUI will require certification at award.
For companies that move quickly, this represents a powerful opportunity:
- Early adopters will become preferred partners.
- Nimbler organizations will outperform slower competitors.
- Contractors with certification will command higher trust and more subcontracting leverage.
- CMMC preparation strengthens overall cybersecurity, reducing real threat exposure.
Organizations that procrastinate risk contract loss, revenue disruption, and reputational damage.
Now Is the Time to Act – RB Advisory Is Ready to Lead the Way
The compliance clock has already started. The most successful organizations will partner with seasoned experts who understand both the technical and governance complexities of CMMC.
With Regine the Cyber Queen™ at the helm, RB Advisory stands ready to guide companies through readiness, remediation, and assessment with unmatched expertise and integrity.
If your organization handles CUI, or aims to compete for federal work, now is the moment to secure your future.
Learn how RB Advisory can prepare you for CMMC certification with confidence and speed.
“AI doesn’t erase human value; it reprices it. The premium shifts to judgment, accountability, and the ability to harness intelligent tools securely. Companies that combine ethics, governance, and speed will build trust, and durable advantage,” says Regine Bonneau, The Cyber Queen™, CEO & Founder, RB Advisory.
Reach out to RB Advisory today to learn more about how our services can help you reduce risk and improve readiness.