Introduction
Just two weeks ago, we shared that we were one week away from our Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) assessment. Today, we’re thrilled to announce that we have officially passed—and we are now CMMC Level 2 certified!
This is a major milestone for our team and an important validation of the work we’ve been doing behind the scenes for years. In this post, we’ll give a quick overview of what CMMC is, share our journey to certification, and explain what this achievement means for our future and our partners.
What Is CMMC and Why Does It Matter?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program (CMMC) is a cybersecurity certification program developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that companies in the defense industrial base (DIB) are adequately protecting controlled unclassified information (CUI).
After nearly five years of development, the final rule for CMMC was published on October 15, 2024, and officially took effect on December 16, 2024. It replaces the older DFARS 7012 model, which relied on self-attestation, with a formal, third-party assessment program aligned with NIST SP 800-171 requirements.
In other words, CMMC raises the bar—ensuring that defense contractors don’t just say they follow cybersecurity best practices, but actually prove it through a rigorous audit process.
A separate acquisition rule, still under development, will eventually embed CMMC requirements into DoD contracts. To ease the transition, the DoD has planned a phased rollout, which will begin as soon as the complementary 48 CFR part 204 CMMC Acquisition rule is finalized. This phased rollout is designed to mitigate potential issues related to the ramp up of CMMC requirements in federal contracts.
Our Journey to Certification
Our path to CMMC Level 2 certification began in 2021, well before the final rule was released. From the start, we recognized that compliance would not be a last-minute effort—it would require deep, sustained investments in our IT infrastructure, operational processes, and cybersecurity culture.
Over the past few years, we’ve worked diligently to align our systems with the 110 controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171. This included strengthening access controls, tightening audit and accountability practices, implementing continuous monitoring, and ensuring robust incident response capabilities.
That preparation paid off.
In late March, we underwent our official CMMC assessment—and passed without a single Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM). The result: a CMMC Level 2 certification that validates not only our technical readiness but our unwavering commitment to security and compliance.
What Comes Next?
The DoD’s phased rollout of CMMC is designed to give time for the program to mature and contractors to adapt—but by certifying early, we’ve positioned ourselves to lead rather than follow.
Our certification sends a clear message: we take compliance seriously, and we can be trusted to protect the sensitive data entrusted to us by our customers and partners. It also enables us to expand our work with defense clients, as Level 2 certification becomes an increasingly important requirement in federal contracting.
More than just a compliance checkbox, this milestone reflects our broader commitment to growth, security, and customer service. As we look ahead, we’ll continue investing in cybersecurity maturity—not just to meet regulatory demands, but to exceed expectations and deliver value with integrity.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Achieving CMMC Level 2 certification marks a major achievement in our long-term growth strategy. It demonstrates our readiness to support defense programs at the highest level of trust and responsibility.
At CPC, we’re committed to continuous improvement and unwavering security. If you’re seeking a partner who takes compliance as seriously as you do, we invite you to connect with us.