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Watch the August MAD Security Town Hall Webinar replay 👇

 

August MAD Security Town Hall WebinarThe August Town Hall focused on a critical reality that many defense contractors overlook. CMMC compliance does not end when the assessment concludes. Hosted by Adam Starnes with insights from Jaclyn Jones, MAD Security’s CRC Lead, the session centered on what contractors must do after achieving compliance and passing their assessment. 

With new requirements arriving under CMMC 2.0, heightened expectations across NIST 800 171, and rising scrutiny throughout the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), this topic was timely and essential. Contractors across aerospace, engineering, manufacturing, and government services attended to understand the operational demands of maintaining compliance over time. 

MAD Security emphasized that ongoing readiness is not optional. It is a permanent part of business for any organization that handles Controlled Unclassified Information. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and federal oversight expands, organizations must shift from passing an assessment to sustaining a strong security posture throughout every stage of their compliance lifecycle. 

 

Key Takeaways from the August Town Hall

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CMMC Compliance Is an Ongoing Lifecycle and Not a One-Time Milestone

The most important message from the webinar was that compliance continues long after the assessment is complete. Organizations must maintain a perfect SPRS score of 110, keep documentation updated, monitor systems continuously, and ensure evidence aligns with all 320 CMMC Level 2 objectives. 

Because of changing tools, staff transitions, network adjustments, and vendor replacements, many organizations fall out of alignment without realizing it. Continuous readiness not only ensures alignment with CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800 171 standards but also strengthens cybersecurity resilience across the DIB. 
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Annual Attestations Carry Serious Liability if Submitted Incorrectly

Every year, company leadership must verify that compliance remains intact by signing an annual attestation. If the attestation is inaccurate, organizations risk: 

  • False Claims Act penalties 
  • Loss of active or future contracts 
  • Government investigation 
  • A mandatory DIBCAC review 

Accurate evidence, documentation validation, and a steady maintenance routine help reduce legal exposure and maintain a defensible SPRS score. This is now a key component of long-term assessment preparation. 
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Documentation and Evidence Must Be Updated Continuously

Jaclyn explained that documentation must be revised whenever the environment changes. Examples include: 

  • Implementing new tools or technology 
  • Changing security providers 
  • Redesigning networks or system boundaries 
  • Modifying access controls 
  • Updating policies or procedures that impact CUI 

If documentation is not updated as systems evolve, organizations risk failing their next CMMC assessment. Many contractors who paused routine maintenance later faced the expensive task of rebuilding their compliance program from scratch.
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Partnering with a Certified MSSP Strengthens Assessment Readiness

Avoid costly missteps by reducing the assessment scope early. The team discussed: 

A certified MSSP helps contractors interpret evolving CMMC requirements, monitor operational changes, and maintain evidence in real time. This support is especially valuable because most internal IT teams already manage heavy workloads. 

Organizations that partner with a proven provider are better prepared for assessment cycles, better aligned with DFARS 252.204 7012, and better positioned to meet expectations from prime contractors throughout the supply chain. 
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Delaying Preparation Leads to Higher Costs and Increased Risk

Postponing CMMC work until the next assessment cycle can lead to: 

  • Failed assessments 
  • Lost contract eligibility 
  • High remediation costs 
  • Missed deadlines due to assessor backlogs 
  • Inconsistencies uncovered by primes 
  • Greater cybersecurity exposure 

Preparing early helps organizations strengthen maturity, reduce stress, and avoid expensive last-minute corrections. Contractors who invest now will outperform those who wait until deadlines approach.

 

Q&A Highlights from Live Attendees

If we already passed a CMMC assessment, do we still need VCM?

Yes. Evidence must be collected annually, and controls must be revalidated. Continuous monitoring is required to maintain alignment with CMMC Level 2.

What happens if leadership signs the annual attestation, but we are not compliant?

This can trigger False Claims Act penalties and may lead to a DIBCAC investigation. Attestations must be accurate and verifiable. 


Can we maintain compliance internally without outside support?

Possibly. However, most teams do not have the bandwidth to manage all 110 controls and 320 objectives year-round.

Do subcontractors also need to be compliant?

Yes, if they handle CUI. CMMC requirements, apply across the entire supply chain.

 

MAD Security’s Value Proposition

When it comes to CMMC 2.0, NIST 800-171, and DFARS 7012, MAD Security leads the way: 

CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP with a perfect SPRS score of 110 
Ranked among the Top 250 MSSPs globally for four consecutive years 
Cyber AB Registered Practitioner Organization with extensive assessment support experience 
United States based 24 by 7 SOC located in Huntsville Alabama and staffed exclusively by credentialed United States citizens 
Same Experts Same Assessment model where the same team that passed MAD’s assessment helps clients pass theirs 
Purpose built for NIST 800 171 and DFARS 252.204 7012 compliance 
More than 15 years of cybersecurity and compliance leadership 
No rip and replace approach that integrates with Microsoft, Fortinet, and existing toolsets 
Comprehensive services including GRC, SOCaaS, MDR, VCM, penetration testing, and risk assessments 
Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business with mission driven leadership 

MAD Security stands out by combining operational strength with specialized compliance expertise. 

 

Why Act Now

CMMC 2.0 timelines, evolving federal expectations, and increasing cyber threats create urgency for every organization handling CUI. Waiting to begin post assessment work increases the risk of: 

Compliance drift
Contract Loss
Emergency remediation expenses 
Evidence gaps 
Scheduling delays with assessors 
Pressure from primes requiring early proof of readiness 

Starting now helps organizations increase maturity, reduce operational risk, maintain competitiveness, and avoid the stress of last-minute preparation. 

 

Free Resources to Kickstart Your Journey

MAD Security offers several free resources to support your compliance journey: 

CMMC Master Bundle with essential templates and guides
CMMC Assessment Guide with detailed process insights
Free Pre-Assessment with 31 readiness questions
Free Consultation with MAD’s compliance experts

These tools provide practical guidance and help organizations improve readiness at any stage of their cybersecurity program. 

 

Final Thoughts

CMMC; it is not a one-time task but a continuous journey.

Maintaining readiness after certification requires consistent monitoring, documentation updates, and specialized support. You are not alone in this effort. MAD Security is ready to help your organization strengthen its posture and maintain assessment readiness across every phase of the compliance lifecycle. 

If you are ready to simplify compliance and build long term resilience, our team is here to guide you. 

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION

 

Original Published Date: August 27,2025

By: MAD Security