Aligning Contract Commitments with CMMC 2.0 Success | MAD Security Town Hall Webinar Recap – January 2025

Watch the January MAD Security Town Hall Webinar replay 👇

Defense contractors across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) are under growing pressure to align their contractual obligations with CMMC 2.0 compliance. In our January 2025 MAD Security Town Hall, “Aligning Contract Commitments with Compliance Success,” host Kelsey Woods explored how primes, subcontractors, and suppliers can navigate evolving DoD cybersecurity expectations to ensure readiness. 

As a CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP and trusted cybersecurity partner, MAD Security continues to guide organizations through NIST 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012 compliance helping defense contractors stay secure, assessment-ready, and competitive across the DoD ecosystem. 

Key Takeaways from January Town Hall

	Understand Your Contract Commitments Early Every DoD contractor, from primes to vendors, is bound by CMMC 2.0 and DFARS compliance. Primes must ensure their subcontractors and suppliers are assessment-ready, as CUI exposure flows through the entire supply chain. Conducting an early gap assessment helps identify missing controls and strengthens assessment preparation, avoiding compliance lapses that can cost contracts.
	The True Cost of Assessment Delays With average C3PAO assessment costs reaching $65,000 or more, lack of preparation can double expenses. Contractors that fail to maintain accurate documentation risk delayed certification, missed opportunities, and higher remediation costs. Conducting mock assessment and validating SSPs and POA&Ms before scheduling ensures there are no surprises.
	Self-Attestation and Continuous Maintenance Certification isn’t the finish line; it’s the start of continuous monitoring. Annual self-attestations updated System Security Plans (SSPs), and ongoing vulnerability management are critical. MAD Security’s Virtual Compliance Manager (VCM) service helps defense contractors automate evidence tracking, reduce assessment risk, and maintain documentation integrity year-round.
	Collaboration Strengthens Compliance Prime contractors set the tone for compliance. Regular communication and evidence sharing between primes, subs, and suppliers ensure supply chain cybersecurity integrity. For suppliers, understanding where Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) resides and securing it appropriately, is essential to avoid disqualification from DoD contracts.
	Partnering with a Certified MSSP Simplifies Compliance A CMMC-certified MSSP brings experience, tools, and proven processes that accelerate certification. MAD Security’s experts former DoD cybersecurity professionals provide end-to-end support, from gap analysis to assessment readiness and ongoing maintenance, reducing complexity and ensuring sustained compliance maturity.

Q&A Highlights

Why Defense Contractors Trust MAD Security 

MAD Security is a CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP with a perfect SPRS score of 110 and deep roots in supporting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), where 85% of our clients are defense contractors. 

Why You Should Act Now Before Compliance Deadlines Tighten

The countdown to full CMMC 2.0 enforcement is underway. Organizations that delay preparation risk contract ineligibility, failed assessments, and vendor noncompliance penalties. With limited C3PAO capacity, late starters may face extended certification timelines that threaten renewal opportunities. 

Cyberattacks on defense contractors have surged 200% year-over-year, with smaller vendors being the primary targets. Early action delivers clear advantages: 

These resources are purpose-built for the Defense Industrial Base, designed to simplify compliance, streamline assessment preparation, and safeguard your contract pipeline. 

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

CMMC success starts with aligning your contract commitments with compliance success. Whether your next assessment is months away or on the horizon, early preparation is your greatest advantage. 

With MAD Security, you don’t have to navigate compliance alone. Our proven experts, the same team that passed our own CMMC assessment, are ready to guide you every step of the way. 

Cybersecurity is a continuous pursuit of readiness and trust. MAD Security is here to guide you every step of the way.