Advertise on podcast: CMMC Compliance Guide

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! These are the 10 questions Stacey and Brooke hear more than any other from defense suppliers, and most companies get at least half of them wrong without realizing it. If you've ever wondered whether your setup would actually hold up to a close look, this episode is your self-check. In this episode: Do you actually need to worry about CMMC right now, with the certification requirement on contracts still paused?How to actually figure out whether you're Level 1 or Level 2 (and why you should push back on vague answers about what counts as CUI)What "compliant" actually looks like day to day, not just the technical controls, but the ongoing documentation and change management behind themWhy "our IT provider handles all of it" is rarely true, and the specific questions to ask them (CRM/SRM, CCP, RP, CCA credentials)Why companies with mature cybersecurity programs often still fail on documentation, even when their technical controls are solidThe biggest real-world mistakes: shared shop-floor logins that fail CUI access requirements, misunderstanding what the controls actually mean, and manually "reviewing logs" instead of using a SIEMWhat an assessor actually checks first (hint: it's your scope definition, not your tools)Why buying a compliance tool or downloading a template package doesn't mean you're done, and what you actually have to prove objective by objectiveHow to implement all of this without grinding operations to a haltWhere most companies actually land when they get an honest gap assessment

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Your SPRS score can quietly decide whether your company is even eligible to bid on a DoD contract, and defense contractors have already paid millions in False Claims Act settlements for getting that number wrong. Austin and Brooke break down exactly how SPRS scoring works, what score you actually need, and how to make sure your number is accurate before a government audit finds you. In this episode: What SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) actually is, and why it's the DoD's authoritative source for your compliance statusHow the scoring math really works: starting at 110, deducting 5, 3, or 1 points per missed control, and how you can end up as low as negative 203Why missing just a couple of five-point controls can put your score under 100 fast, and why negative 50 to negative 70 scores are common in real gap assessmentsThe one control (3.12.4, your SSP) that can single-handedly tank your entire assessment if it's incompleteWhy an 88 is the minimum score to bid on a contract, and what that means for your POA&MThe six-month clock: what happens if you report a POA&M and don't close it out in timeWhy misrepresentation, not the underlying gap itself, is what actually triggers False Claims Act exposureThe 2026 timeline of changes: the February class deviation, the July 16th revision that formalized the Phase 2 pause, and the September 3rd updateWho can actually see your SPRS score (hint: it's not primes, and it's not your competitors)How to actually register and submit a score: getting a CAGE code through SAM.gov and navigating PIEE

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! What does CMMC Level 2 actually require, and how does it connect to the four-phase rollout, the POA&M process, and the assessment you'll eventually go through? Austin and Brooke break down Level 2 in plain English, a few days ahead of the DoD's September update on the Phase 2 pause. In this episode: Where things stand with the Phase 2 pause right now, and what's not paused (your obligation to be compliant with NIST 800-171 R2)Why "just give me the CMMC checklist" doesn't work, and what CMMC actually is (a collection of DFARS rules built on NIST 800-171)The four-phase rollout explained: what phase you're actually in, what's paused, and what flows down regardless of the pauseWhat CMMC Level 2 requires: 110 controls, 320 assessment objectives, and the "CMMC overlay" on top of NIST 800-171POA&M rules explained: the 180-day clock, the minimum 88 score, and which controls can never go on a POA&MWhat "ready for assessment" actually means (hint: it's a lot more than an SSP and a POA&M, often 400+ documents and artifacts)Self-assessment vs. C3PAO certification: what a real assessment guide-based self-assessment looks like, and why assessors can't consult or advise youWhy the "100 assessors" claim used to justify the pause doesn't hold up (there are over 1,000 CCAs)Level 1 vs. Level 2 vs. Level 3: what determines which level actually applies to you, and why most companies who think they need Level 3 don'tWhy asking your IT person to self-score your own compliance program is a liability risk, even with good intentions

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Every CMMC vendor says the same thing: "we cover 80 out of 110 controls" or "90 out of 110." Austin and Brooke break down what that claim actually means, why "maps to," "satisfies," and "supports" are not interchangeable words, and why you almost always still have work to do even after buying the solution. In this episode: What vendors actually mean when they claim to cover a specific number of the 110 controlsWhy "maps to," "satisfies," and "supports" are different claims with different implications for your compliance programWhy you can't stack vendors (40 controls from Vendor A plus 50 from Vendor B does not equal 90 covered)The moment your computer enters scope even when you're using a fully FedRAMP-compliant vendor: downloading, caching, or transmitting CUI through itWhy "I never saved it to my computer, I just passed it through" doesn't get you out of scope (process, store, or transmit is the bar)How to use a CRM (customer responsibility matrix) or SRM (shared responsibility matrix) to know exactly where a vendor's responsibility ends and yours beginsWhy your MSP or IT provider needs a CRM too, not just your cloud vendorsThe exact questions to ask any vendor before you buy: which control numbers, full satisfaction vs. contribution, which systems and assets it applies to, and what's still on youWhy vendors can only speak to their own product, not your specific environment, and why you need someone (in-house or outsourced) who understands your full compliance picture

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Is the "six-figure CMMC scoping mistake" a real number, or just something people throw around to sound scary? Stacey and Brooke break down where these numbers actually come from, what over-scoping really costs versus under-scoping, and what a defensible scope actually looks like. In this episode: Where the "six figures" scoping numbers actually come from (and why the DoW CIO and SBA's recent numbers conflated compliance cost with certification cost)What over-scoping actually costs: pulling in unnecessary cloud systems, remote users, and locationsWhat under-scoping actually costs: a $30k-$40k assessment redo at best, a False Claims Act investigation at worstThe most commonly missed scoping items: downloaded CUI, cached files, backups, CNC-connected computers, and cloud file-sync tools like Prevail DriveWhy vendors and IT providers (MSPs, MSSPs) are an underscoping trap if their CRM/SRM documentation isn't in placeWhy most over-scoping actually traces back to primes and the government not clearly marking what is and isn't CUI2026 scoping clarifications: encryption doesn't create a CUI boundary, paper-only CUI can limit flowdown, and why FedRAMP 20X won't satisfy DoW requirementsReal False Claims Act cases where scoping was the legal basis (including a Georgia Tech case)What a defensible scope actually looks like in your SSPNIST 800-171 Revision 3 on the horizon, and why you need to start planning for it now regardless of what happens with the CMMC pause

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! This is the all-in-one CMMC checklist episode. Austin and Brooke pull together everything into one place: what the 60-day Phase 2 pause actually changed (and didn't), what CMMC Level 1 really requires, what Level 2 really requires, why scoping is the foundation everything else depends on, and where most assessments actually fall apart. In this episode: What CIO Kirsten Davies' memo suspended, and what it left completely alone (spoiler: almost everything)Why the government's stated reasoning for the pause (cost, assessor shortage) doesn't hold up against real assessment pricingThe RFI and task force timeline: what happens on August 14th, and what to expect around September 14thWhat happens to contracts that already have Phase 2 certification language written inWhere to actually focus your compliance budget and effort during the pauseCMMC Level 1: the checklist most people gloss over, and why it's not "nothing"CMMC Level 2: the 110 controls and 320 assessment objectives, POA&M rules, and the controls that most commonly get missedWhy scoping has to come first, and what happens when you skip it (including a mole infestation analogy that actually makes sense)Whether your G-code, derivative drawings, and CAD pull-outs are CUIESPs, CSPs, MSPs, and MSSPs: what each one means for your documentation and your assessmentThe two most common reasons assessments fail: documentation gaps and vendor/CRM gapsJustice IT Consulting's own path to CMMC Level 2 certification, completed right after the pause was announced

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! We're recapping the Cyber AB's June 2026 Town Hall, five topics every DoD contractor needs to hear, plus what's changed since (including the CMMC Phase 2 pause that landed after this town hall happened). Stacey and Brooke break down the real enforcement numbers, the paper CUI rules everyone gets wrong, how to actually vet a C3PAO, and the FAR CUI rule updates working their way through public comment. In this episode: False Claims Act enforcement: why almost every case comes from whistleblowers, not breaches, and why the discrepancies are massive (think negative scores, not "110 vs. 107")Paper-only CUI: when you're exempt from CMMC Level 2 controls, and the exact moment that exemption disappears (scanning, photographing, emailing it)How the town hall's November 10th "full steam ahead" messaging got overtaken by the Phase 2 pause memo weeks laterWhat to actually ask when interviewing C3PAOs (assessor headcount, 1099 vs. employee, on-site requirements, SOCI screening status)FAR CUI rule updates: the incident reporting window moving to 72 hours, and the mislabeled/unlabeled CUI reporting requirement getting struckWhy NIST 800-171 and CMMC were built for ongoing management, not a one-time snapshot, and what that means for your evidence and documentationJustice IT Consulting's own path through certification, and why that certification still matters even during the pause

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! The Department of War's pause on CMMC Phase 2 sparked a wave of panic, and a wave of misinformation right behind it. In this episode, Stacey and Brooke go deeper than the headline: what the pause actually changes, why the stated justification (cost, assessor capacity) doesn't hold up against the numbers, and what's realistically likely to come out of the 60-day review. In this episode: What "Phase 2 is paused" actually means (it's the third-party certification requirement on new contracts, not your obligation to be compliant)The biggest misconception floating around: "CMMC is suspended" vs. what's actually trueWhy the capacity argument (claims of "only 100 assessors") doesn't match reality (there are over 1,000 CCAs)Why the cost argument conflates "cost of certification" with "cost of actually being compliant," which have always been expensiveWhy self-assessments may face MORE scrutiny, not less, while third-party validation is pausedHistorical precedent: every incoming DoD/DoW CIO has paused and retooled this program since 2021, and it's never been canceledWhat to actually do this week if you're mid-remediation, mid-contract, or have a mock or certification assessment already scheduledThe open RFI (Request for Information) the DoD posted, and why submitting a response mattersJustice IT Consulting's own CMMC Level 2 certification newsThe mark-your-calendar date: September 14th is when the 60-day window closes and we should learn more about what comes next.  Read the actual DoD memo here: https://federalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CIO-CMMC-Reform-Memo_26-P-1023.pdf?hss_channel=lcp-348902  Submit your own response to the DoD's RFI here: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/89ef9bfb0834473791e991c712698d94/view

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Here are the actual memos (Definitely worth a read):   https://federalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CIO-CMMC-Reform-Memo_26-P-1023.pdf?hss_channel=lcp-348902https://federalnewsnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/CIO-CMMC-Reform-Memo_26-P-1023.pdf?hss_channel=lcp-348902https://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Library/ImplementingSuspensionCMMC-PhaseII.pdfThe Department of War just paused the rollout of CMMC Phase 2's third-party certification requirement for 60 days. Austin breaks down what the memo actually says, what it doesn't say, and why "certification is paused" is not the same thing as "compliance is paused." In this episode: What the 60-day pause on CMMC Phase 2 actually covers (hint: it's the certification verification process, not the underlying NIST 800-171 requirements)Why this could ultimately make your path to CMMC less expensive, and why that's not a reason to slow downWhy contractors who are already deep into implementation are in the strongest position no matter which direction this goesWhy assuming "compliance has disappeared" is the riskiest read of this newsWhat happens if third-party certification gets replaced with a stronger self-attestation or spot-check model, and why unsupported SPRS scores are already a liabilityA trade show story about a Department of War investigator actively pursuing ITAR fraud leads, and what that says about enforcement appetite right nowWhat to actually do in the next 60 days while DoD figures out the future of the verification model

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Small aerospace suppliers are getting hit with the same CMMC questions over and over: what do I actually need to do if my contract requirements aren't clear yet, does redacting a drawing get it out of CUI territory, will a tool like ThreatLocker or Prevail make me compliant, and what is this actually going to cost. In this episode, Stacey and Brooke from Justice IT Consulting go through the real answers small manufacturers, machine shops, and engineering firms need before the November 10, 2026 DFARS CMMC requirement hits new DOD contracts. Topics covered: Why you can't fully plan compliance without knowing FCI vs. CUI exposure, and what that means for your Microsoft 365 environment (GCC vs. GCC High)Why redacting a customer name or contract number from a drawing does NOT remove CUI statusWhy compliance tools alone (ThreatLocker, Prevail, etc.) can't get you certifiedRealistic cost ranges for CMMC Level 2 certification, and why "$5,000" and "$20,000" quotes are misleadingHow far a small company can actually get doing CMMC in-house, including where AI-generated policies fall shortWhether to start at Level 1 and move up later, or go straight to Level 2What changes for new DOD contracts after November 10, 2026How to get an honest readiness check with a gaps assessment before spending moneyWe're also co-hosting a free live webinar with FutureFeed and Preveil on shared responsibility in CMMC assessments, covering how to read a customer responsibility matrix and close gaps before they become assessment findings. Tuesday, July 21st at 12 PM Central.  Register (free, recording sent to all registrants): cmmccomplianceguide.com/podcast

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! The Cyber AB's May 2026 Town Hall packed in major updates and if you work with an MSP, use cloud services, or are trying to figure out where your compliance responsibility actually ends, this episode is required listening. Brooke and Stacey break down everything contractors need to know: ESP vs. CSP distinctions, FedRAMP changes, new leadership, Marketplace 2.0, and the single biggest takeaway every OSC needs to hear. 📌 What You'll Learn: What the new joint venture FAQ clarifies — and what actually changes (hint: less than you think)The status of the official CMMC certification badge and what you can display right nowHow FedRAMP 20X is changing authorization language — and why DoD's "moderate equivalency" standard isn't movingThe three questions every OSC must answer about their ESPHow to tell the difference between an MSP and a CSP — in plain EnglishThe 5 NIST 800-145 criteria that determine whether a service counts as cloud computingCyber AB ecosystem updates: monthly RPO meetings launching in July and Marketplace 2.0 previewThe biggest takeaway from the town hall — and why the burden always lands on the OSCWebinar Announcement: Whose Control Is It Anyway? — free live event July 21st at 12 p.m. CT - Sign up by clicking HERE

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! The Department of Defense just updated its CMMC FAQ document — and the clarifications inside answer some of the most common (and costly) assumptions contractors make. In this episode, Brooke and Stacey break down what changed for joint ventures, paper-only CUI, significant change triggers, and how MSPs and MSSPs actually fit into assessment scope. If you're navigating a merger, working with subcontractors, or relying on an MSP to manage your environment, this episode clears up exactly where you stand — and where you don't. 📌 What You'll Learn: Why joint ventures do NOT automatically inherit a company's CMMC certification statusThe new guidance on paper-only CUI — and when it does NOT require Level 2 assessmentWhat actually counts as a "significant change" that triggers reassessment (mergers, system consolidation, and more)Why MSPs don't need their own CMMC certification — but still carry major assessment responsibilitiesThe difference between CUI scope and Security Protection Data (SPD) scope for MSPs/MSSPsThe five-part test for whether an MSP counts as a Cloud Service Provider (CSP)Listener Q&A: Do subcontractors need cybersecurity training and screening too?

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Most defense contractors don't realize how complex CMMC compliance really is until they're already in trouble. In this episode, Brooke and Stacey break down the exact moments where contractors hit their wake-up call, what to expect from a gap assessment, and why waiting until the last minute could cost you your DoD contracts. Whether you're just starting your CMMC journey or think you're close to ready, this episode will show you what you're probably missing and how to get ahead of it.

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Brooke breaks down the biggest takeaways from CS5 West 2026, one of the largest conferences in the CMMC ecosystem. The biggest message from the conference was clear: CMMC is no longer theoretical. Assessments are happening now, companies are already getting certified, and many contractors are running out of time to prepare before Phase 2 requirements begin appearing on contracts. We discuss what assessors are seeing during mock and certification assessments, why documentation continues to be one of the biggest failure points, and why scoping mistakes are still creating major problems for manufacturers and defense contractors. We also cover:  Why small contractors are struggling with implementation  How primes are pressuring subcontractors to get certified early  Why enclave strategies are often misunderstood  The ongoing debate around G-code and CUI  Why continuous compliance matters after certification  The importance of mock assessments  How False Claims Act risk ties into annual affirmations If you are a defense contractor trying to understand where CMMC enforcement is heading and what the industry is seeing right now, this episode gives you a practical, real-world update from inside the ecosystem.

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we tackle one of the biggest challenges in the Defense Industrial Base: how small contractors without internal IT teams are realistically handling CMMC compliance. Many small manufacturers, machine shops, and defense suppliers feel overwhelmed by CMMC because they do not have dedicated cybersecurity, compliance, or IT security staff. Instead, employees wear multiple hats while trying to keep daily operations moving. We break down what compliance actually looks like for smaller contractors, what can realistically be outsourced, what responsibilities still stay with the company, and why buying tools like Microsoft 365 GCC High does not automatically make you compliant. We also explain why data flow mapping and scope are critical, how shared responsibility matrices work with MSPs and MSSPs, and the biggest mistakes smaller companies make when trying to shortcut compliance. If you are a small or mid-sized defense contractor trying to understand how to approach CMMC without a massive budget or internal compliance department, this episode will help you build a realistic roadmap.