Lockheed Martin, a global leader in defense and aerospace innovation, has recently issued a decisive update regarding its implementation of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements. This announcement underscores a critical trend sweeping the defense industry — an increasing push by Department of Defense (DoD) prime contractors to elevate and enforce stringent cybersecurity standards among their subcontractors.
If you’re a business working with or aspiring to work with DoD contractors, you might already feel the pressure of meeting compliance benchmarks. However, this is more than just fine print in a contract: CMMC compliance is becoming a non-negotiable gateway to participating in defense supply chains. And as timelines tighten, early preparation could mean the difference between securing future opportunities and facing disqualification.
The bigger picture: Prime contractors raising the bar
For years, cyber threats have escalated in sophistication and frequency, threatening national security and the integrity of the defense supply chain. Recognizing the stakes, the DoD launched CMMC as a way to standardize cybersecurity practices across all organizations working with sensitive federal information.
Prime contractors like Lockheed Martin are tasked with ensuring their entire network of subcontractors and suppliers meets these strict cybersecurity requirements as single gap in compliance anywhere along the supply chain could lead to devastating security breaches. This strategic shift by primes not only secures their operations but also reflects the DoD’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding controlled unclassified information (CUI).
By tightening requirements, prime contractors are signaling that every link in the chain must be fortified. Subcontractors, especially smaller firms with fewer resources, are now facing a unique and urgent challenge to align with these standards or risk their place in the defense ecosystem.
Why the urgency?
The DoD is implementing CMMC requirements incrementally, but new updates like Lockheed Martin’s announcement make one thing crystal clear: the time to act is now. Compliance is no longer optional, and waiting until deadlines are looming can result in significant setbacks.
Failing to prepare early could leave your organization at risk of losing critical contracts, disrupting your business operations, and even tarnishing your reputation. Additionally, as more primes adopt these standards, organizations without a proactive compliance plan will find themselves left behind in favor of those already meeting or exceeding requirements.
Early adoption of CMMC compliance offers exciting opportunities as well. Compliant businesses strengthen their credibility, appeal to risk-averse primes, and position themselves as leaders within the defense community. By acting on CMMC now, you’re creating a robust foundation for long-term success.
Steps to get started with CMMC
Understanding where to begin your CMMC compliance journey can feel overwhelming, but breaking it down into actionable steps can simplify the process. Here’s how your organization can tackle CMMC today:
Understand
Read the CMMC final rule, understand program requirements, review DoD’s resources, and familiarize yourself with the practices outlined in the model for each of the CMMC levels.
Identify
Identify your CMMC level and the assets in scope for your CMMC assessment. As a part of this step, you should also complete a gap assessment to identify any areas where there are gaps in your compliance.
Prepare
Develop an implementation plan to address vulnerabilities found in the gap assessment. Prepare for the C3PAO assessment by gathering evidence and preparing for interview questions. During this stage, you may want to undergo a mock audit.
Assess
Following the CyberAB’s CMMC Assessment Process, the C3PAO will review documentation and complete interviews with your team before putting together the final report. If you’ve done the appropriate pre-work, gap assessments, and mock assessments, your team should be well prepared for this step in the process.
Improve
After receiving your certification, the work continues. Plan for continuous improvement and ensure you understand the next steps for future assessments.
A-LIGN’s role in CMMC compliance
Navigating compliance on your own can be complex, but partnering with experts like A-LIGN can streamline your roadmap to success. As a top C3PAO with over 20 years of experience, A-LIGN has completed over 1,000 NIST-based assessments, including FedRAMP, GovRAMP, NIST 800-171. Our trusted team of experts equips businesses with the tools, training, and guidance needed to confidently achieve compliance and securely scale their operations.
By collaborating with a trusted advisor, you not only save time and resources but gain peace of mind knowing you’re meeting prime contractor expectations and DoD mandates.
Act today or be left behind
Lockheed Martin’s latest announcement isn’t just another update, it represents an inflection point for subcontractors across the defense industry. The window to prepare for CMMC compliance is closing, and organizations that proactively align with these standards now will have a competitive advantage.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Start preparing for CMMC today. Strengthen your cybersecurity posture, secure future business opportunities, and ensure your place in a resilient supply chain that safeguards America’s security.
