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Cybersecurity for Defense Contractors Handling CUI

DFARS 7012 | CMMC 2.0 | NIST 800-171
Compliance and Security  

Trusted by Defense Contractors and Primes Across the DIB, MAD Security delivers managed security and compliance services that protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), improve SPRS scores, and prepare you for CMMC Level 2 assessments. 

MAD Security is a CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP with a perfect SPRS score and deep experience supporting DFARS-regulated organizations. Whether you're preparing for a government audit or responding to flow-down requirements from a prime, our team helps you reduce risk, validate controls, and meet your cybersecurity obligations with confidence. 

The DIB Challenge

Defense contractors are under growing pressure to secure Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and comply with evolving Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity mandates. 

If you're a prime or subcontractor handling CUI, you're expected to: 

 Implement NIST SP 800-171 controls 
  Report cyber incidents under DFARS 252.204-7012 within 72 hours 
  Maintain and submit an SPRS score under DFARS 7019 
  Be prepared for a CMMC Level 2 assessment under DFARS 7020 

Most small and midsize contractors don’t have the resources to meet these requirements internally. They face common challenges: 

 Gaps in technical controls and documentation 
  Limited visibility across systems handling CUI 
  Unclear roles and responsibilities across IT, MSPs, and leadership 
  Inability to respond to incidents or audits in a timely, documented way 

This is Where MAD Security Comes In

We don’t just help defense contractors prepare for a CMMC Level 2 assessment; we’re with you in the assessment itself, supporting documentation, control validation, and technical responses in real time. 

And our role doesn’t end there. 

After the audit, we stay engaged as your compliance and security partner, helping you maintain your SPRS score, respond to DFARS incidents, and stay aligned as requirements evolve. 

We help defense contractors:

  Improve and maintain their SPRS score

  Prepare for and support CMMC Level 2 assessments 

  Operationalize DFARS compliance and NIST 800-171 controls 

  Protect CUI and reduce risk across IT, cloud, and hybrid environments

Top 250 MSSP 2025 Honoree
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level 2
How MAD Security Supports Your Compliance Journey

BEFORE THE ASSESSMENT

Preparation and Planning

 

  • NIST 800-171 gap assessments
  • SPRS scoring and self-assessment support
  • SSP and POA&M development
  • Technical remediation and policy consulting 

 

DURING THE ASSESSMENT

Active Assessment Support

 

  • Real-time support during third-party assessments
  • Evidence presentation and control validation
  • Clarification for assessors and internal stakeholders
  • Documentation coordination and attestation letters 

AFTER THE ASSESSMENT

Ongoing Partnership

 

  • Continuous monitoring and SOC-as-a-Service
  • Monthly compliance tracking and metrics
  • DFARS 7012 incident response and reporting
  • Updates for evolving CMMC or DoD requirements

Why MAD Security for Defense Contractors 

MAD Security is more than a cybersecurity provider; we are a mission-aligned partner to primes and subcontractors across the Defense Industrial Base. 

As a CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP with a perfect SPRS score, we understand the technical and contractual pressures your organization faces. Our services are purpose-built to support DFARS compliance, CUI protection, and real-time security operations that hold up under audit. 

A fully U.S.-based security operations team with experience supporting DIB, DoD, and cleared environments 

Support throughout the entire CMMC lifecycle — before, during, and after your assessment 

Integrated security and compliance workflows mapped to DFARS 7012 / 7019 / 7020 

A clear, auditable Shared Responsibility Matrix for all managed services 

Recognition as a Top 250 MSSP four years running  

Services aligned with NIST SP 800-171, 800-53, and CMMC Level 2 practices

Every engagement is backed by our commitment to doing the work, delivering real outcomes, and being the partner; you can rely on when it matters most. 

Key Services for the Defense Sector

Defense contractors need more than alerts and audits. MAD Security delivers fully managed security operations and compliance support designed to meet DoD contractual requirements while protecting CUI across your systems. 

Explore the services most deployed by our defense clients:

Security Operations Center (SOC-as-a-Service)

Security Operations Center (SOC-as-a-Service)

24/7 monitoring and incident validation, tailored to DFARS and CMMC

Real-time alert triage by U.S.-based analysts 
 Custom incident response playbooks for 7012 timelines 
 Reporting and documentation to support SSPs and assessments 

Virtual Compliance Management (VCM)

Virtual Compliance Management (VCM)

Policy, documentation, and audit readiness without the in-house burden 

NIST 800-171 gap assessments and remediation planning  
 Support with SSP development, POA&M management, and gathering technical evidence for audits 
 Guidance before, during, and after CMMC assessments  

Managed Detection and Response (MDR/EDR)

Managed Detection and Response (MDR/EDR)

Endpoint visibility with CMMC-aligned threat response workflows

Continuous telemetry collection  
 DFARS 7012-compliant incident handling 
 Integration with SOC playbooks for containment 

Vulnerability Management 

Vulnerability Management

Attack surface reduction aligned with CMMC and NIST controls

Continuous scanning and risk scoring 
 Patch validation and remediation tracking 
 Reporting mapped to CMMC Level 2 and 800-53 

Before/After Comparison: Reactive MSP vs. MAD Security SOC + VCM

FUNCTION

REACTIVE MSP

VERSUS

MAD SECURITY SOC + VCM
Alert and Monitoring Alerts forwarded with minimal triage  VS. 24/7 analyst triage and incident validation
Compliance Documentation Client is responsible for SSPs and POA&Ms VS. Full documentation support with shared responsibility matrix
Incident Response Generic response guidance, no execution VS. Custom response playbooks and coordinated actions 
SPRS Score Support Limited or no support  VS. Score improvement and evidence development
CMMC Assessment Readiness Not supported or outsourced  VS. Pre-assessment gap analysis, in-assessment support, and post-audit compliance management
Ongoing Compliance Partnership Ends after audit or incident VS. Ongoing partnership with monthly compliance reporting 

 

CMMC and DFARS: What You Need to Know 

Cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors have evolved and so have the expectations for proof, performance, and continuous monitoring. If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you are likely subject to the following obligations: 

DFARS 252.204-7012

DFARS 252.204-7012

Requires implementation of NIST SP 800-171 controls and reporting of cyber incidents within 72 hours.

MAD Security helps you:

Detect threats, document incidents, and respond within contract timelines.  

DFARS 252.204-7019 

DFARS 252.204-7019 

Requires submission and maintenance of your SPRS score based on your implementation of NIST 800-171

MAD Security helps you:

Conduct gap assessments, develop POA&Ms, and improve your score with validated evidence. 

DFARS 252.204-7020

DFARS 252.204-7020 

Requires contractors to provide DoD assessors with access to their SPRS score and supporting documentation.

MAD Security helps you:

Prepare reviews and supply the documentation needed to demonstrate compliance. 

CMMC 2.0 Level 2

CMMC 2.0 Level 2 

Requires full implementation of 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls and a triennial third-party assessment. 

MAD Security helps you:

Prepare your system security plan (SSP), guide you through the assessment, and maintain compliance after it’s complete. 

Whether you're a prime contractor or a subcontractor with flow-down obligations, MAD Security helps you move from uncertainty to readiness and stay there. 

Outcome-Focused Results 

Our work with defense contractors spans the full spectrum of readiness from organizations starting at low SPRS scores to those preparing for formal CMMC Level 2 assessments under DFARS 7020. 

Here’s what our clients achieve with MAD Security:

 20 to 60-point SPRS score improvements within 90 days through prioritized remediation

 Successful completion of CMMC Level 2 assessments with ongoing compliance management post-audit

 Complete audit response documentation including SSPs, POA&Ms, and shared responsibility artifacts

 Incident response readiness with real-time analyst support aligned to DFARS 7012

From -71 to 110: LSI’s CMMC Success Story 

Learn how a defense contractor partnered with MAD Security to transform their SPRS score, pass their CMMC Level 2 assessment, and stay audit ready. 

Watch the Webinar:

 

Whether you're working under a prime contractor or managing compliance across multiple subcontractors, our team helps you align operations with what your contracts demand and what assessors expect. 

Ready to Secure CUI and Strengthen Your SPRS Score?

Ready to Secure CUI and Strengthen Your SPRS Score?

Whether you’re preparing for your first CMMC Level 2 assessment or looking to operationalize DFARS compliance across your environment, MAD Security is here to help. 

We work with primes and subs across the Defense Industrial Base to provide real-time security operations, evidence-backed compliance support, and the kind of partnership that stays with you — before, during, and after the audit. 

Let’s evaluate your current SPRS score, assess gaps against NIST 800-171, and build a security operations plan that meets DoD contract requirements and satisfies CMMC assessors.