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CMMC Scoping Made Simple | MAD Security Town Hall Recap – July 2025

Written by MAD Security | July 18, 2025

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Why Scoping Is the First and Most Critical Step in CMMC 2.0 Compliance

In our July 2025 Cybersecurity Town Hall, we addressed one of the most misunderstood yet vital steps in achieving CMMC 2.0 compliance: scoping your environment. Hosted by MAD Security's Account Management team and Compliance lead, this interactive session explored how defense contractors can define their CMMC boundary, protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and simplify their compliance journey. 

Whether you are a prime or subcontractor, smart scoping isn’t just a best practice; it is mission critical. If you don’t define your environment clearly from the start, you risk unnecessary costs, scope creep, assessment failure, and a potential loss of government contracts. 

 

Key Takeaways Recap from the July Town Hall

 

Smart Scoping Saves Time, Money, and Stress

Defining what’s “in scope” for your CMMC environment allows you to focus only on systems, users, and processes that handle CUI. That focus streamlines your controls, reduces your assessment surface, and can significantly cut costs. 

 

Don’t Just Say It; Prove It

Scoping isn’t theoretical. You’ll need to demonstrate to assessors where CUI resides, how it flows, and which systems interact with it. MAD Security includes CUI data flow mapping in every gap assessment, not as an add-on, but as a foundational deliverable. 

 

Shrinking Your Scope Requires Segmentation

You don’t need to bring your entire business under CMMC. Use smart segmentation to isolate CUI. That could mean: 

  • Creating a GCC High or Prevail enclave
  • Isolating workstations
  • Using VLANs and firewalls
  • Limiting access to only those who truly need it 

MAD Security supports both Prevail and GCC High environments; in fact, we’ve passed CMMC Level 2 assessments using both. 

 

Documentation Is Non-Negotiable

“If it’s not written, it didn’t happen.” Assessors will want to see detailed, clear documentation of what’s in scope, what’s out, and why. If you can’t explain your decisions or show written policies and procedures, you’ll struggle to prove compliance. 

 

Supply Chain Risk Is Real

Primes are tightening the reins on subcontractors. If you are part of the DIB supply chain, CMMC 2.0 isn’t optional; it’s expected. Don’t risk your revenue stream by delaying readiness. 

Q&A Highlights

 

Why This Matters: The Strategic Importance for Defense Contractors

Scoping isn’t a checkbox; it’s the strategic foundation for your entire cybersecurity posture. If you are in the defense space, you must not only comply, but you must also demonstrate and defend your compliance. 

That means: 

Knowing where your CUI lives
Reducing exposure with segmentation 
Documenting everything 
Involving your supply chain 

Failing to do this puts you at risk, not just of assessment failure, but of contract loss or even False Claims Act violations. 

 

Final Thoughts

CMMC 2.0 isn’t going away. It is gaining momentum. As cyber threats evolve and the Department of Defense raises expectations, being assessment-ready is no longer optional; it is the price of admission for contractors in the Defense Industrial Base. 

The good news is you don’t have to face this alone. Whether you’re defining your scope, segmenting systems, or preparing for your final review, MAD Security’s team of CMMC experts can guide you every step of the way. 

Don’t wait until requirements catch you off guard. Your compliance posture today determines whether you will win or lose contracts tomorrow. 

 

Originally Published: July 18, 2025

By: MAD Security
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