From Readiness to Reality: The 2025 State of the Defense Industrial Base on CMMC Compliance

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From Readiness to Reality: The 2025 State of the DIB on CMMC Compliance

Study reveals alarming readiness levels among defense contractors

REPORT

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Emil Sayegh - CyberSheath CEO

“The Defense Industrial Base is running out of time to close the gap between perception and reality in compliance. Adversaries aren’t waiting, and neither is enforcement. With clear third-party audits now required, the standard is real and unavoidable.”

- Emil Sayegh, CyberSheath CEO

CMMC is Here. The DIB Isn’t Ready.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program has advanced to a final rule and will be required for new defense contracts starting in November 2025. The era of preparation is over — the time for action has arrived.

But new research reveals a startling reality: most contractors are still far from ready.

Here are some critical insights from the fourth annual State of the DIB report:

  • Only 1% of defense contractors feel fully prepared for CMMC audits — down significantly from previous years.
  • Despite years of lead time, many still struggle with basic compliance requirements.
  • A majority have already experienced reputational, financial, or business losses from cyber incidents.

The disconnect between confidence and reality is setting the stage for widespread disruption across the Defense Industrial Base.

Why Download This Report?

The State of the DIB Report 2025, conducted by Merrill Research and commissioned by CyberSheath, provides:

  • An unfiltered look at where contractors stand as CMMC becomes contract law.
  • The biggest gaps threatening compliance readiness.
  • What leaders must do now to secure their contracts and stay competitive.

Next Steps:

For complete insights and recommendations on how to prepare for CMMC compliance, download the full report here and learn how you can protect your business and secure future contracts with the DOD.