The countdown to CMMC enforcement is over. November 10 is not just another date on the calendar. It is the day the Department of Defense/War DOD/DOW begins embedding CMMC clauses into contracts and when every company in the Defense Industrial Base must prove it is ready or risk losing business.
At CyberSheath, we have been preparing for this day for years. We have helped hundreds of defense contractors achieve readiness and certification. Many have earned perfect 110 scores and full CMMC Level 2 compliance.
The Enforcement Has Already Started
The enforcement wave began long before the November deadline. Several DOD/DOW departments have already told contractors that renewals depend on having an SPRS score of 100 or higher. Those that were unprepared scrambled to meet that bar this summer.
Having a legitimate, defensible SPRS score is now a condition of eligibility. Entering inflated or unsupported scores is dangerous. The Department of Justice is already using the False Claims Act to pursue false attestations, and DIBCAC audits appear to be increasing.
What Happens After November 10
Once the clause begins appearing in contracts, it will be game on.
- The clause will begin appearing in contracts starting November 2025.
- A one-year period of self-attestation of full compliance will follow.
- An organization must be compliant at the time of contract award.
- By November 2026, organizations must have their compliant state certified by C3PAO.
Simple enough? Not quite. Assessors are already booked out six to nine months, leaving little room for delay. There are fewer than 500 certified assessors nationwide, and each audit requires two assessors for up to a week. The math does not favor companies that wait.
The CMMC Perception Gap
Many contractors think they are ready. Most are not. We see this every day, and the data supports it. The 2025 State of the DIB Report, produced by Merrill Research and sponsored by CyberSheath, shows that a majority of defense contractors overestimate their compliance readiness. A company that self-scores an 80 often turns out to be closer to zero after a real assessment. The gap between perception and reality remains the greatest threat to compliance.
At CyberSheath, we close that gap
Companies like Chenega achieved perfect scores using our Federal Enclave solution, which created a secure “lockbox” for Controlled Unclassified Information managed 24/7 by U.S. citizens.
CIS Secure partnered with us to unify its cybersecurity program and align policies across business units. With our help, they achieved CMMC Level 2 certification ahead of schedule with a perfect 110 score.
Barge Design Solutions faced a different challenge. They needed to secure both digital and physical CUI while running design software like AutoCAD and Revit. We created a hybrid solution using Microsoft GCC High Azure Virtual Desktops and secure CUI rooms for legacy data. They reached full compliance with zero disruption to operations and another perfect score.
No More Delays
There will be no extensions or exemptions. Senior leadership at the Department of Defense/War (DOD/DOW) has made that clear. Compliance is now required. Companies that delay will lose contracts and risk their standing in the DIB. This is not just about contract eligibility. It is about national security. CUI data such as radar algorithms, bulletproof glass formulas, and camouflage patterns can all endanger American lives if they fall into the wrong hands. Protecting that information is protecting the mission.
Noncompliance is not only a cybersecurity risk. It is a business risk. Competitors that have obtained their CMMC certifications, are already preparing to acquire noncompliant contractors at distressed valuations. Failure to comply can erase enterprise value overnight.
The Path Forward for CMMC Compliance
CMMC is achievable. It takes planning, experience, and focus. CyberSheath has guided more contractors through the process than almost anyone else in the industry.
If you are unsure where you stand, start now. We can help you:
- Calculate your real SPRS score
- Build a defensible plan to close gaps
- Prepare for your C3PAO audit
- Achieve and maintain full compliance
Ready to protect your contracts and your future? Contact CyberSheath to start your compliance journey today.