The Briefing Room: Growth Resources for Defense Contractors

Defense contractors have unique cybersecurity and compliance needs, and your IT partner should know them inside and out. That means expertise in NIST SP 800-171, DFARS 252.204-7012, and the latest CMMC requirements—not just generic security policies that wouldn’t pass a DoD audit. Things to look for:

- Are they a Registered Provider Organization (RPO) with the Cyber AB? 

- Have they achieved CMMC Level 2 Certification? 

- Have they supported other defense contractors with compliance? 

Reactive IT support is like waiting for your engine to explode before checking the oil. A good provider doesn’t just fix problems—they stop them before they happen. ISI’s managed compliance services keep your systems secure, monitored, and audit-ready, so you’re never caught scrambling before a contract renewal.

In the defense sector, a day of downtime can mean a lost contract, a security breach, or a compliance failure. Your IT provider should have strict response time guarantees, 24/7 support, and a proactive approach to keeping your systems running—because "We’ll get to it Monday" doesn’t work when you’re responsible for safeguarding CUI.

If your provider only handles help desk tickets and software updates, you’re missing out. The best defense-focused IT partners provide compliance consulting, security audits, incident response planning, and strategic IT roadmaps—not just the bare minimum to keep the lights on.

The big primes have entire departments for IT and compliance. Small and mid-sized businesses typically don’t have that luxury. Your provider should level the playing field, helping you meet the same security and compliance standards without breaking your budget or drowning you in complexity. ISI specializes in helping SMBs compete and win in the defense sector.

CMMC 2.0 is evolving. Cyber threats are changing. The DoD will keep tightening security requirements—that’s not a maybe, it’s a certainty. The best IT providers aren’t just keeping you compliant today—they’re preparing you for what’s next. ISI helps businesses future-proof their IT and compliance programs so they’re ready for whatever regulations (or cyber threats) come next.

If your IT provider treats compliance like a one-and-done checklist, you’re in trouble. CMMC, DFARS, and NIST compliance require ongoing monitoring, updates, and regular assessments. You need a partner that keeps you compliant year-round, not just during audit season.

Obtaining a Facility Clearance is a complex, step-by-step process that requires planning, sponsorship, and strict compliance with government regulations. Too many contractors assume that once they win a contract requiring an FCL, they’ll “figure it out”—only to find themselves stuck in limbo, unable to start work because their clearance isn’t approved in time.

The biggest roadblock? Not understanding the sponsorship requirement. You can’t apply for an FCL on your own—you need a prime contractor or government agency to sponsor you. Even with sponsorship, the process involves thorough background checks, key management personnel (KMP) approvals, and a detailed security review. If you’re not ready to navigate these steps, your clearance (and your contract) will be stuck in bureaucratic quicksand.

The best approach? Think ahead. If you plan to pursue classified work, start building relationships with primes and government contacts who can sponsor you when the time comes. Make sure your leadership team understands their security obligations and is prepared to go through the necessary vetting. Because in defense contracting, a slow FCL process doesn’t just delay your work—it can cost you the opportunity altogether.

Dig Deeper: How to obtain a Facility Clearance

Many contractors assume CMMC doesn’t apply to them because they don’t hold any CUI themselves or hold very little. The requirement for CMMC is intended as a way to safeguard CUI, this is true, but the requirement is based on what clauses are in your contract and not what is actually happening in your environment.

A key example that we see regularly is companies that work at a prime or government site and complete their work on prime or government computers. Even though the CUI work is all being completed outside your corporate environment, you’re still required to hold a CMMC certification if your contracts include it or if it’s flowed down from a prime. 

The quickest way to tell if compliance is a requirement of your contracts is to look for the DFARS clauses governing the protection of CUI in your contracts. They are:

• DFARS 252.204-7012: Requirement for NIST 800-171a Compliance
• DFARS 252.204-7019: Requirement to submit self-assessment score for NIST 800-171a to the SPRS database
• DFARS 252.204-7020: Requirement for contractors to have an SSP (System Security Plan) and a self-assessment score no more than 3 years old
• DFARS 252.204-7021: Contractor must be CMMC certified to the level specified by
• the contract at the time of award

Dig Deeper: Who needs to abide by CMMC

This is probably the most repeated piece of advice regarding CMMC readiness, and for good reason. Even if you’re ready to go today, getting a C3PAO audit can take up to half a year for scheduling and execution. For most companies, that window will be much larger as evaluation and remediation will need to be performed. Depending on the gaps found during an evaluation assessment and the remediation required, that time window to readiness can easily extend to 1 year.

When it comes to CMMC, it’s not enough to comply. You have to prove you’re complying. That’s why documentation is almost just as important as the actual security practices themselves.

An audit is conducted by looking at three things: your policies, your SSP (System Security Plan), and your configuration. These three are required and MUST be in line with each other. You can have all of your environment configured correctly with the proper tools in place, but if you haven’t documented it properly in both your SSP and your policy, an auditor will fail you on those controls.

If your FSO is just a name on paperwork, you’re setting yourself up for trouble. An unprepared or overburdened FSO can mean missed reporting deadlines, security gaps, and a compliance program that looks fine on paper but falls apart under scrutiny. The right FSO isn’t just a box to check—they’re your frontline defense against compliance failures, insider threats, and audit headaches.

Too often, small to mid-sized defense contractors hand off FSO duties to someone already drowning in other responsibilities—a VP, an HR manager, or even the CEO. Your FSO needs the time, training, and authority to do the job right. That means staying ahead of policy changes, running regular security briefings, and keeping your team prepared before an inspector starts asking tough questions.

Whether you’re keeping most duties in-house or outsourcing responsibilities to an AFSO, make sure you choose someone with the expertise to keep your company on track.

The defense industry is competitive, and primes aren’t in the business of handing out subcontracts to companies they’ve never heard of. If you want a seat at the table, you have to make yourself known—and that starts with building a strong track record, networking, and marketing your capabilities.

Successful contractors need to bid strategically, attend industry events, and forge relationships with primes and government buyers. If you’re new to the game, start small: look for low-risk subcontracting opportunities, deliver exceptional performance, and use that experience to build credibility. A strong performance history, past contract references, and a well-articulated value proposition are what get you noticed—and ultimately, what get you contracts.