Preparing for the Future: What CMMC Compliance Means for Your Business and How RB Advisory Can Help
As the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) accelerates the rollout of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the time for businesses in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) to prepare is now. With increasing threats targeting federal contractors and the sensitive data they handle, the adoption of CMMC represents a seismic shift in how organizations must approach cybersecurity. For many companies, compliance will determine whether they can continue to compete for DoD contracts. At RB Advisory, we understand the critical importance of this transformation and we’re here to guide businesses through it as an accredited C3PAO.
What Is CMMC and Why Was It Created?
CMMC is the Department of Defense’s unified cybersecurity framework designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) within the DIB. Unlike past self-assessments under NIST SP 800-171, CMMC introduces a tiered certification process, requiring third-party assessments to verify that contractors meet the security standards appropriate to their level of engagement with sensitive information.
Initially introduced in 2020 and later refined into CMMC 2.0, the framework includes three levels of cybersecurity maturity:
- Level 1 (Foundational): Basic safeguarding of FCI using 17 practices derived from FAR 52.204-21.
- Level 2 (Advanced): Protection of CUI, with 110 security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171.
- Level 3 (Expert): For the most critical national security systems, aligned with NIST SP 800-172 (implementation still in development).
Certification will soon become a mandatory requirement in many DoD contracts, which means non-compliance can result in disqualification from bidding or contract loss—even for existing vendors.
Why CMMC Matters to Your Business
Cybersecurity is no longer a “nice to have,” it’s a business imperative. Data breaches, ransomware attacks, and cyber espionage are increasingly targeting small and mid-sized contractors that serve as critical nodes in the government supply chain. CMMC is a proactive measure to reduce these vulnerabilities, requiring companies to prove they can protect sensitive defense information before they’re trusted with it.
Failing to prepare for CMMC not only jeopardizes contract opportunities but also risks reputational damage, legal exposure, and lost trust with federal partners.
What Does It Mean to Be CMMC Compliant?
Being CMMC compliant means your organization has undergone the necessary assessments and has been certified at the appropriate level for the work it performs. For many contractors, especially those handling CUI, this will mean:
- Implementing all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls (Level 2).
- Undergoing a third-party assessment by an authorized C3PAO.
- Demonstrating maturity in documentation, process consistency, and monitoring.
Compliance also implies a long-term commitment to cybersecurity hygiene. This isn’t a one-time checklist but an ongoing responsibility. Companies will need to maintain their security practices and prepare for future audits or re-certifications.
Key Challenges Companies Face
For many organizations, achieving CMMC compliance is not a simple task. Some common challenges include:
- Lack of internal cybersecurity expertise.
- Gaps in documentation and process maturity.
- Difficulty interpreting NIST requirements.
- Limited resources for remediation and control implementation.
- Confusion around scoping and what constitutes CUI.
This is where the right partner becomes essential, not just to interpret the requirements, but to build a sustainable roadmap toward certification.
How RB Advisory Can Help: Your CMMC Compliance Partner
As an authorized C3PAO, RB Advisory is uniquely positioned to support companies through every phase of the CMMC journey. We are more than assessors, we are strategic partners who understand the operational, technical, and cultural implications of cybersecurity compliance.
Here’s How We Help:
- Readiness Assessments
Before undergoing a formal CMMC assessment, it’s critical to know where you stand. Our readiness assessment evaluates your current cybersecurity posture against CMMC requirements, identifies gaps, and delivers a prioritized action plan to close them.
“We approach each readiness review with a practical mindset—helping organizations understand not just what’s required, but how to realistically achieve it with the resources they have,” says Regine Bonneau, founder and CEO of RB Advisory, also known as the Cyber Queen™.
- Remediation Support
Knowing your gaps is only half the battle. RB Advisory provides expert guidance to help implement the necessary technical, process, and policy controls. We tailor recommendations to your organization’s size, complexity, and budget—ensuring you’re not over- or under-engineering your solutions.
- Documentation Development
Strong documentation is the foundation of CMMC compliance. We assist in creating or refining security policies, procedures, system security plans (SSPs), plans of action and milestones (POA&Ms), and other artifacts critical to demonstrating control maturity.
- C3PAO Third-Party Assessments
As a certified Third-Party Assessor Organization, we conduct formal CMMC Level 2 assessments for organizations ready to certify. We maintain the highest standards of objectivity and integrity, and we work to make the process transparent and efficient.
“Our role as a C3PAO is not just to verify compliance, but to ensure organizations emerge from the process more secure and more competitive in the federal space,” says Bonneau.
- Ongoing Advisory and Continuous Monitoring
Compliance is a continuous process. RB Advisory provides ongoing consulting to help maintain your security posture, respond to emerging threats, and prepare for future audits. Whether you’re facing new contractual obligations or changes to CMMC policy, we’re here to help you stay ahead.
A Strategic Opportunity, Not Just a Mandate
While CMMC introduces challenges, it also brings opportunity. Companies that invest in cybersecurity are not only complying with federal requirements—they’re building stronger organizations. A mature cybersecurity posture enhances trust with government agencies, primes businesses for future growth, and reduces the risk of catastrophic cyber events.
By working with a trusted C3PAO like RB Advisory, organizations can turn a regulatory requirement into a competitive advantage.
Final Thoughts
CMMC is the future of defense contracting, and it’s arriving faster than many realize. As contracts begin to include CMMC certification requirements, businesses that are unprepared will be left behind. RB Advisory is committed to helping companies understand, implement, and maintain CMMC compliance in a way that adds lasting value.
Whether you’re just starting your compliance journey or preparing for a formal assessment, we stand ready to support you. Let’s secure your future—together.
Contact RB Advisory today to schedule a readiness consultation or learn more about our C3PAO assessment services.