Why Compliance Gaps Put Your Business at Risk
In today’s Defense Industrial Base (DIB), CMMC compliance is more than a checkbox—it is the key to eligibility, trust, and long-term profitability. With the Department of Defense (DoD) phasing in CMMC 2.0 requirements through 2028, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face mounting pressure to close CMMC compliance gaps to prove they can protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
The challenge? Recent studies show that less than half of SMB contractors are ready for CMMC Level 2. Many lack essential policies, multi-factor authentication, incident response plans, or continuous monitoring. These gaps leave businesses vulnerable—not only to cyber threats, but also to losing their DoD contracts.
That’s where we come in. At Praetorian Secure, our CMMC Gap Assessment Services help identify risks before they jeopardize your revenue. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common CMMC compliance gaps and proven strategies to close them while showing you how a trusted partner can accelerate your path to certification.
The Most Common CMMC Compliance Gaps
CMMC readiness challenges often fall into five major categories:
1. Policy & Documentation Gaps
Many SMBs operate with outdated—or nonexistent—System Security Plans (SSPs) and security policies. Without properly documented processes, organizations struggle to demonstrate compliance during an audit.
👉 Learn how our NIST 800-171 Support Services can strengthen your policies and align your SSP with CMMC requirements.
2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) & Access Control
Despite being a baseline requirement, MFA is still missing in many environments. Weak access controls expose sensitive data and create instant audit failures.
3. Audit Logging & Continuous Monitoring
Collecting logs is not enough—CMMC requires proof of active monitoring, log review, and incident correlation. Too often, SMBs only address this reactively after a breach.
4. Incident Response Planning
An incident response plan is required documentation under NIST 800-171, yet many contractors have none. Others have plans that are untested and disconnected from real-world scenarios.
5. Supply Chain Oversight
Compliance doesn’t end with your business. Vendor management and subcontractor compliance are key audit areas. Lack of third-party oversight is a growing gap across the DIB.
The Business Impact of CMMC Gaps
Compliance is not just about security—it’s about business viability.
Lost contracts: Contractors who cannot demonstrate compliance risk losing eligibility for new and existing DoD opportunities.
Financial penalties: Non-compliance can trigger costly remediation and damage your standing with prime contractors.
Reputation damage: A failed audit or security breach erodes trust with partners and primes.
Higher long-term costs: Contractors who delay remediation often face inflated costs when deadlines approach.
👉 This is why many SMBs invest in our Managed Compliance Programs—to shift from reactive catch-up to proactive, cost-effective compliance management.
Strategies for Closing CMMC Gaps
Closing CMMC gaps requires a structured, prioritized approach. Here are the four most effective strategies we recommend to SMBs:
1. Conduct a Professional Gap Assessment
While self-assessments are possible, they often overlook critical risks. A professional CMMC Gap Assessment:
Identifies misalignments with NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 2 requirements.
Produces a detailed Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M).
Creates a roadmap that executives can use to allocate budget and resources effectively.
👉 Start with a CMMC Gap Assessment to see where your organization stands today.
2. Develop a Strong POA&M
A POA&M is more than a checklist—it is your strategic remediation plan. Done right, it:
Prioritizes fixes based on business risk.
Provides timelines that auditors respect.
Demonstrates proactive progress toward compliance.
Too often, SMBs use generic templates that fail to satisfy auditors. Our POA&M Development Services deliver actionable, auditor-ready documentation that builds confidence.
3. Implement Continuous Monitoring & Governance
CMMC compliance isn’t one-and-done—it requires ongoing monitoring and governance. This is where SMBs benefit from a Virtual CISO (vCISO) model:
Provides executive-level cybersecurity leadership at a fraction of the cost.
Ensures compliance is embedded in daily operations.
Enables proactive adaptation to evolving DoD requirements.
👉 Learn more about our vCISO Services to keep your compliance program strong year-round.
4. Leverage Alignment with NIST 800-171
CMMC Level 2 directly aligns with NIST SP 800-171. By closing 800-171 gaps now, you:
Accelerate your CMMC readiness.
Build a compliance framework that satisfies multiple standards.
Strengthen your eligibility for contracts well before deadlines hit.
👉 See how our NIST 800-171 Support Services streamline compliance and set you up for CMMC success.
The Compliance Roadmap for SMBs
Every SMB can achieve CMMC readiness with a structured, phased approach:
Phase 1: Assess & Document
Conduct a Gap Assessment, build an accurate SSP, and establish a prioritized POA&M.
Phase 2: Remediate & Implement Controls
Address MFA, access controls, incident response, and supply chain compliance. Prioritize quick wins that reduce risk immediately.
Phase 3: Govern & Maintain
Shift from projects to ongoing compliance management. Implement continuous monitoring and executive oversight through managed services or vCISO support.
A phased roadmap prevents overwhelm, spreads costs strategically, and demonstrates measurable progress to DoD assessors.
Why Partner with a Trusted Compliance Provider
Small and medium-sized contractors often lack the in-house expertise to manage CMMC requirements. Partnering with a specialized compliance firm like Praetorian Secure:
Reduces the burden on your IT and security staff.
Provides proven methodologies aligned with CMMC and NIST standards.
Helps you avoid costly mistakes that delay certification.
Positions your business to win and retain contracts in the competitive DIB.
Our experts act as an extension of your team—guiding you from assessment to certification, and beyond.
Conclusion: Secure Your Contracts, Secure Your Future
CMMC compliance gaps are not just technical oversights—they are business risks that can cost your company millions in lost opportunities. The good news? With the right strategy and partner, closing these gaps is achievable and cost-effective.
At Praetorian Secure, we help SMBs transform compliance challenges into competitive advantages. Whether you need a Gap Assessment, a POA&M roadmap, Managed Compliance Programs, or ongoing vCISO guidance, our team is here to ensure you stay ahead of evolving requirements.
👉 Don’t wait until an audit exposes your gaps—schedule your CMMC Gap Assessment today and secure your place in the Defense Industrial Base.