Watch Our CMMC Journey in Action
MAD Security, PreVeil, and Sentar brought together compliance consultants, cybersecurity professionals, and certified assessors to discuss the realities of CMMC implementation and certification readiness.
Watch the webinar recording below to hear directly from compliance consultants, cybersecurity professionals, and certified assessors as they discuss DIY versus outsourced compliance strategies, assessment readiness best practices, common compliance mistakes, CUI scoping considerations, and evidence and documentation expectations.
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Watch the video to gain practical insights and real-world lessons that can help you prepare for your own assessment. And while the video offers a deeper dive, here are some of the most important lessons we took away from our assessment.
Why the DIY vs. Outsourced CMMC Decision Matters
As Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements become a contractual reality across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), contractors face an increasingly important question:
Should we handle CMMC compliance ourselves, or should we engage outside experts?
For many organizations, the answer is not immediately clear. A do-it-yourself (DIY) approach may seem appealing because it offers greater control and can appear less expensive upfront. At the same time, compliance requirements continue to grow more complex, timelines are tightening, and the consequences of getting it wrong are becoming more significant.
To help defense contractors navigate this important decision, MAD Security partnered with PreVeil and Sentar for an educational webinar focused on one of the biggest questions organizations face during their CMMC journey: Should you manage compliance internally, outsource key activities, or adopt a hybrid approach? During the discussion, cybersecurity and compliance experts shared practical insights on assessment readiness, common implementation challenges, and strategies for achieving sustainable compliance.
The discussion highlighted a common challenge across the DIB. While many contractors are capable of managing portions of compliance internally, success ultimately depends on having the right expertise, resources, and understanding of what assessors expect during certification assessments.
In this post, we will explore the key insights from the webinar, discuss the advantages and challenges of each approach, and share practical guidance to help defense contractors make informed decisions about their CMMC journey.
Expert Insights from the Webinar Panel
To help defense contractors navigate the DIY versus outsourced CMMC decision, MAD Security partnered with PreVeil and Sentar for an educational webinar featuring industry experts with extensive experience in cybersecurity, CMMC compliance, and certification assessments.
The webinar featured:
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Jaclyn Jones, Head of Compliance, MAD Security
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Steve Pratt, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Sentar
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Vince Petrecca, Head of Sales & Partners, PreVeil
Together, they shared practical strategies, common pitfalls, and lessons learned from helping defense contractors prepare for CMMC certification assessments.
Understanding the DIY vs. Outsourced CMMC Decision
For smaller contractors and organizations with limited budgets, a DIY approach often feels like the natural starting point.
Many organizations already have:
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Internal IT staff
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Policy templates and documentation resources
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A desire to maintain control of their compliance program
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While this approach can work for some organizations, it is important to understand the true scope of the effort involved.
CMMC Level 2 requires organizations to address:
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110 security requirements
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Technical implementations
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Documentation requirements
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Ongoing evidence collection and maintenance
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Many organizations underestimate the time and expertise required to successfully manage all these moving parts. What begins as a straightforward compliance initiative can quickly become a resource-intensive project that affects operations, security, and business development efforts.
Key Insight: CMMC compliance is not simply a documentation exercise. Assessors evaluate whether your documented policies match your actual operations.
As organizations move further into preparation, many discover that the challenge is not just implementing controls. It is understanding exactly where those controls need to apply.
Key Lessons Learned from the Webinar
The webinar highlighted several areas where organizations commonly struggle during CMMC preparation. While every environment is different, the lessons below apply to organizations of all sizes.
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Scope Is More Important Than Most Contractors RealizeOne of the most important topics discussed during the webinar was the importance of properly defining scope. Before implementing controls, organizations must understand:
Organizations that fail to define scope accurately often increase their compliance burden unnecessarily. Proper CUI scoping is one of the most important activities in any CMMC preparation effort. For example, some contractors place entire networks into scope because they are unsure where CUI exists. While this may seem like a safer approach, it often creates additional costs, complexity, and assessment risk. The webinar panel emphasized that contractors frequently underestimate the impact of scoping decisions. Over-scoping creates unnecessary work and costs, while under-scoping can lead to assessment findings and certification delays. Properly identifying and containing CUI can dramatically simplify the compliance process while reducing long-term maintenance requirements. |
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Documentation Alone Is Not EnoughA common misconception is that creating policies and procedures is the most difficult part of CMMC compliance. In reality, assessors focus heavily on operational implementation and the supporting evidence outlined in a well-developed System Security Plan (SSP). Organizations must demonstrate alignment between:
Assessors regularly encounter organizations with excellent documentation that does not reflect how the business actually operates. For example, a policy may require change management reviews before implementing system modifications. During an assessment, organizations must demonstrate that these reviews are consistently occurring and provide evidence supporting those activities. Documentation is important, but evidence and execution are what ultimately determine assessment outcomes. |
Compliance Callout: Think of compliance evidence like showing your work in math class. Having the right answer is important, but assessors also need to see how you arrived there.
These lessons reinforce a common reality of CMMC assessments: preparation is not just about checking boxes. It is about demonstrating that security practices are operating consistently across the organization.
How Outsourcing Can Support CMMC Success
While many organizations can begin their compliance efforts internally, outside expertise can provide significant advantages.
Organizations often seek external support when they need:
External experts bring experience from multiple assessments and environments, helping organizations avoid common mistakes that can delay certification or create unnecessary remediation work.
In many cases, a hybrid approach delivers the best results. Contractors maintain ownership of their compliance program while leveraging specialized expertise for gap assessments, remediation planning, managed security services, and assessment preparation.
This model often provides the balance many defense contractors need. It allows internal teams to remain involved while reducing the burden associated with navigating complex compliance requirements alone.
For many organizations, the goal is not simply achieving compliance. It is achieving compliance efficiently and sustainably.
What You Cannot Outsource
While many compliance activities can be delegated, accountability cannot.
The organization seeking certification remains responsible for:
| Protecting CUI | |
| Following documented procedures | |
| Maintaining security controls | |
| Ensuring employee compliance | |
| Supporting assessment activities |
Executive leadership plays a critical role in compliance success. Organizations that treat CMMC as solely an IT initiative often struggle because compliance requires participation across the entire business.
Successful organizations establish leadership support early and often leverage Virtual Compliance Management (VCM) services to maintain momentum throughout the compliance lifecycle.
The most successful organizations view compliance as an ongoing business process rather than a one-time project.
Ultimately, whether you choose a DIY or outsourced approach, leadership involvement remains one of the strongest predictors of success.
Actionable Tips for Contractors Evaluating DIY vs. Outsourcing
If you are determining the right approach for your organization, consider the following practical recommendations discussed during the webinar.
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Clearly define where CUI resides before implementing controls
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Develop and maintain a comprehensive System Security Plan (SSP)
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Evaluate whether internal resources have the time and expertise required
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Consider a CMMC Pre-Assessment before pursuing certification
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Engage experienced compliance partners when specialized expertise is needed
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Taking these steps early can significantly reduce risk, improve efficiency, and increase confidence when assessment time arrives.
Organizations that begin planning now are often better positioned than those waiting until contractual requirements force immediate action.
Choosing the Right CMMC Compliance Strategy for Your Organization
There is no universal answer to the DIY versus outsourced CMMC question.
Organizations with simple environments, dedicated personnel, and sufficient time may successfully manage much of the process internally. Others may benefit from leveraging experienced compliance professionals to accelerate progress and reduce risk.
The most successful organizations are those that honestly assess their capabilities, understand their compliance obligations, and choose the approach that best supports their business objectives.
Whether you pursue a DIY, hybrid, or fully outsourced strategy, preparation remains the key to success. By understanding your environment, collecting meaningful evidence, and maintaining operational compliance through continuous monitoring, you can position your organization for a smoother CMMC assessment and long-term cybersecurity maturity.
MAD Security is committed to helping defense contractors navigate compliance with confidence, whether they choose to build internally, outsource strategically, or adopt a hybrid approach.
Take the Next Step Toward CMMC Readiness
Ready to determine whether a DIY or outsourced approach is right for your organization?
MAD Security can help you make informed decisions and build a practical path toward compliance. Our team brings extensive experience supporting defense contractors through cybersecurity, compliance, and assessment readiness initiatives.
Secure your business today with expert cybersecurity and compliance support from MAD Security.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
