How to Respond to a Cybersecurity Questionnaire for DFARS, CMMC, and NIST Compliance

Why This Questionnaire Matter

cybersecurity-1 Receiving a cybersecurity questionnaire from a prime contractor is a clear signal that your continued eligibility to support Department of Defense (DoD) contracts is being evaluated. Prime contractors are responsible for ensuring that every link in their supply chain, including your organization, meets strict federal cybersecurity requirements. These questionnaires serve as a formal tool to verify that subcontractors comply with DFARS clauses, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), and NIST SP 800-171 controls. If you cannot demonstrate compliance, you may be excluded from handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or even removed from the contract team entirely.

For companies that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI), completing the cybersecurity questionnaire accurately and thoroughly is critical. Incomplete or inaccurate responses can lead to delays in contract awards, exclusion from handling sensitive information, or even disqualification from current or future Department of Defense (DoD) projects.

At MAD Security, we simplify this process for defense contractors. As an authorized CMMC Registered Provider Organization (RPO) and trusted Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), we guide clients through every step, turning complex compliance questionnaires into a clear demonstration of cybersecurity maturity.

What a Cybersecurity Questionnaire Really Is

What a Cybersecurity Questionnaire Really Is A cybersecurity questionnaire isn’t just an administrative exercise; it’s a formal tool for primers and agencies to use to confirm whether subcontractors meet mandatory cybersecurity requirements. When a DoD prime sends one out, it expects each organization in the supply chain to comply with DFARS 252.204-7012, CMMC 2.0, and NIST SP 800-171 standards. These frameworks protect CUI and FCI from unauthorized access, theft, or disclosure.

Your responses should align with your System Security Plan (SSP), any active POA&Ms, and your SPRS score. Many primes use these questionnaires as early screenings before awarding contracts or scheduling formal CMMC assessments.

MAD Security helps defense contractors interpret each question, map it to the corresponding regulatory control, and respond with confidence and clarity.

What Prime Contractors Are Evaluating

Each question in a cybersecurity questionnaire maps back to a key area of your organization’s cybersecurity posture. Understanding what primes are measuring allows you to answer strategically and with supporting evidence.

Key Focus Areas:

	System Security Plan (SSP): Accurately describes your current cybersecurity environment and implements controls.
	NIST SP 800-171 Implementation: Confirms that all 110 required controls are in place or clearly documented with remediation timelines. See our CMMC Requirements overview.
	SPRS Score: Validates that your assessment has been completed and submitted in accordance with DFARS 252.204-7019. Learn how we support scoring in the CMMC Assessment Guide.
	POA&M: Outlines identified gaps and timelines for closing them (typically within 180 days). We help build and track these via Virtual Compliance Management.
	MLOA Certificate: Demonstrates authorization to report incidents through the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Cybersecurity portal.
	Incident Response Plan: Shows preparedness to detect, contain, and report incidents under DFARS 7012. See our Managed Security Services and SOC capabilities for operational support.

Our Risk and Compliance services mirror what primes evaluate, helping you achieve a compliance posture that stands up to both audits and partner scrutiny.

Key Clauses Driving These Questions

Every cybersecurity questionnaire is built around specific contract clauses. Understanding the intent behind these requirements helps ensure your responses are both accurate and defensible.

MAD SEC - Website Images-1

DFARS 252.204-7012 – Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting

Requires protection of CUI, use of FIPS-validated encryption, and reporting of cyber incidents within 72 hours through the DIB CS portal.

MAD SEC - Website Images (1)

DFARS 252.204-7019 / 7020 – Assessment and SPRS Submission

Mandates self-assessments of NIST SP 800-171 controls and submission of the corresponding SPRS score before award eligibility. See SPRS scoring guidance.

MAD SEC - Website Images (2)

FAR 52.204-21 – Basic Safeguarding of FCI

Applies to contracts involving FCI and requires 15 baseline controls; POA&Ms are not permitted compliance must exist at contract award. Review CMMC Level 1 expectations.

MAD Security helps clients interpret these clauses, align documentation, and maintain audit-ready SSPs and SPRS submissions across the DFARS and FAR landscapes.

POA&Ms: What’s Allowed, What’s Not

A Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) documents deficiencies found during your NIST SP 800-171 assessment and how they’ll be remediated is your blueprint for closing compliance gaps.

POA&Ms: What’s Allowed, What’s Not Under DFARS, POA&Ms are allowed when paired with a complete SSP. Under FAR 52.204-21, they are not accepted: contractors handling FCI must already meet all required safeguards before award. Even where allowed, POA&Ms come up with deadlines under CMMC 2.0; open items must be resolved within 180 days. Our Virtual Compliance Manager (VCM) helps teams create, track, and close POA&Ms with precision.

Understanding the MLOA Certificate

A Medium Level of Assurance (MLOA) certificate is essential for submitting incident reports to the DoD through the DIB CS portal. Without an MLOA, you cannot meet the 72-hour reporting requirement of DFARS 7012. Each contractor managing CUI should assign at least one authorized MLOA holder responsible for incident submissions.

Need help? Our CMMC Consulting team assists contractors with MLOA registration and validation, ensuring compliance is properly documented within your broader DFARS and CMMC programs.

Step-by-Step: How to Respond Effectively

A structured response ensures accuracy, consistency, and credibility. Follow these steps to build a defensible submission:

Review your contract clauses

Identify the DFARS and FAR requirements relevant to your project. Start with the CMMC Requirements page.

Map questions to documentation

Align each answer with your SSP and POA&M; see our Assessment Guide for examples.

Verify your SPRS score

Confirm your submission is accurate and current; we can help via CMMC Consulting.

Confirm MLOA holders

Ensure authorized personnel can report incidents promptly.

Prepare evidence

Keep logs, training records, and policy documents available; our Managed Security Services support ongoing readiness.

Close gaps quickly

Our Managed Security Services and Risk & Compliance teams simplify this process, helping contractors respond confidently and maintain full compliance.

What’s at Stake if You Get It Wrong

Noncompliance carries real consequences financially, legally, and reputationally. Common outcomes include:

	Lost contract opportunities
	Termination of subcontracts
	Liability under the False Claims Act
	Reputational damage among DoD partners

Avoid these risks with structured Compliance Assessments, documentation validation, and targeted remediation that ensures every claim you make can withstand scrutiny.

How MAD Security Can Help You Respond with Confidence

Responding accurately takes expertise and preparation. MAD Security provides comprehensive services to help defense contractors achieve and sustain compliance:

	Risk & Compliance Assessments
	CMMC Consulting & Gap Analysis
	SSP & POA&M Development
	SPRS Score Verification
	MLOA Registration Support via CMMC Consulting
	SOC and Incident Response Planning and Continuous Monitoring

Our clients consistently achieve CMMC Level 2 readiness and improve SPRS scores showing true defense-grade cybersecurity. Contact us to schedule a Compliance Readiness Review.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of a cybersecurity questionnaire for defense contractors?

It verifies that subcontractors meet DFARS, CMMC, and NIST SP 800-171 requirements. See how MAD Security ensures readiness through our Risk & Compliance Services.

What information should I include when responding to a cybersecurity questionnaire?

Your responses should align with your SSP, POA&M, and SPRS score and include supporting documentation for all claims. Learn more via our CMMC Consulting program.

How do DFARS, CMMC, and NIST SP 800-171 work together?

DFARS defines contractual cybersecurity rules, CMMC measures maturity, and NIST SP 800-171 details technical controls. Our CMMC Compliance Services explain how these frameworks are integrated.

What happens if my organization fails to meet questionnaire requirements?

You risk losing contracts, suspension, or legal action. MAD Security’s Compliance Assessments identify and correct issues before they impact eligibility.

How can MAD Security help me prepare and respond effectively?

MAD Security offers end-to-end support from gap assessments and SPRS guidance to incident response and ongoing monitoring via our Managed Security Services.

Original Publish Date: November 06, 2024

By: MAD Security