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When CMMC compliance starts to feel overwhelming, most companies don’t fail because they lack effort, they fail because they don’t know where to start.

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Brooke and Stacey break down why CMMC feels so urgent and high-risk for small and mid-sized DoD contractors, and how to triage your compliance work so you can make real progress without burning out.

This episode covers:

• Why starting at control 3.1.1 is a mistake for most companies
• How poor scoping makes CMMC feel impossible
• What assessors actually prioritize first
• Which controls are non-POAMable and must be addressed early
• How to reduce scope without cutting corners
• When tools help and when they waste time and money
• How to approach SSPs, policies, and POAMs the right way
• Practical steps small teams can take to regain control of CMMC

If CMMC feels like everything is urgent and nothing is moving fast enough, this episode will help you slow down, focus, and build a plan that actually works.

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Get your free SPRS Roadmap here: https://cmmccomplianceguide.com/free-sprs-roadmap

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Austin and Brooke break down the #1 thing that trips companies up before a CMMC Level 2 assessment: evidence.

Having a binder of policies (or a 300-page SSP) is not enough. Assessors want proof you are doing what you say you do consistently, over time and they want it organized so they can quickly map evidence to controls and assessment objectives.

You’ll learn:

• What assessors mean by “acceptable evidence” (and what doesn’t count)
• The “who, what, when, where” test for logs and proof
• How tickets, approvals, and checklists strengthen your evidence trail
• What to avoid putting in cloud ticketing systems (SPD risks)
• Manufacturer-specific pitfalls assessors notice on the shop floor
• Why “fresh out of the oven” evidence raises red flags
• How GRC tools can make evidence collection and linking easier

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What do CMMC Level 2 assessors notice first, sometimes within the first day, before they ever dig into your firewall configs or deep technical testing?

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Austin and Brooke break down the early red flags that can derail your assessment fast. We cover what assessors ask for right out of the gate (and how quickly you need to respond), why generic SSPs create problems, how scoping mistakes happen in the real world (downloads folders, copiers, shop floor machines), and what it means when your policies do not match what employees actually do.

If you want to pass your CMMC Level 2 assessment, this episode will help you tighten your documentation, evidence, and scope before the assessor ever starts technical validation.

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Most small and mid-sized manufacturers do not fail CMMC because of “tech.” They fail because their documentation does not match how the shop actually runs.

In this episode, Austin and Brooke break down how to build CMMC documentation that is concise, accurate, and assessor-friendly without drowning in templates that were never written for your business. You will learn why template overload causes gaps, how to keep policies aligned to real workflows, and what “minimally sufficient” documentation looks like for both Level 1 and Level 2.

We also cover the difference between CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 documentation expectations, why evidence retention and verifiable processes matter, and how to decide between a file system approach vs a GRC tool to keep version control and proof organized for assessment day.

If you are a machine shop, aerospace manufacturer, or engineering firm trying to get compliant without creating a 400-page monster, this is your playbook.

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CMMC is no longer just a compliance requirement. It is now a competitive advantage that directly impacts who wins and who loses DoD contracts.

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Stacey and Brooke break down how the final 48 CFR rule has changed the contracting landscape and why primes are now aggressively pushing CMMC requirements down to their subcontractors. We explain how CMMC certification, SPRS scores, and assessment status are already being used to evaluate risk and readiness, even before certification becomes mandatory on every contract.

You will learn why contractors who are already certified, or at least scheduled for certification, are gaining an edge over competitors who waited too long. We also cover how flow-down requirements work, how primes protect themselves from False Claims Act risk, and why small businesses face a higher barrier to entry than midsize firms.

This episode also explains how contracting officers and primes view SPRS scores, what happens once certifications are uploaded through EMASS, and why CMMC status is not likely to become publicly searchable. Finally, Brooke walks through what contractors should be doing right now to stay competitive, including scoping CUI, running gap assessments, engaging a C3PAO early, and preparing subcontractor oversight.

If you want to keep winning DoD contracts in 2026 and beyond, this episode will help you understand how CMMC is reshaping the defense industrial base and what actions you need to take now.

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Are assessors judging you on CMMC or NIST 800 171 when audit day arrives?

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Stacey and Brooke break down the real relationship between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800 171 so you are not guessing when it matters most.

We walk through how the 110 NIST 800 171 controls and 320 assessment objectives drive your CMMC level 2 certification, and what CMMC layers on top, including POA&M limits, timelines, and who is allowed to certify you. You will hear practical examples around SPAs, cloud tools, customer responsibility matrices, FedRAMP, and how assessors actually validate things like MFA, logging, and scope.

We also explain the difference between a NIST self assessment and a CMMC level 2 certification by a C3PAO, clear up common misconceptions about “being NIST compliant”, and talk about False Claims Act risk when SSPs, inventories, and controls are not kept current. Finally, Brooke shares a step by step path for contractors: identify your CUI, scope systems, run a gap analysis, build your SSP and POA&M, collect evidence, and engage a C3PAO for a mock and full assessment.

If you are a small or midsized defense contractor trying to get ready for 2026, this episode will help you focus on what assessors really care about so you can prepare with confidence.

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Today’s episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast dives into the biggest myths that machine shops, fabricators, CNC shops, and mid-sized defense contractors still believe about CMMC. From cloud misconceptions to vendor promises that fall short, Brooke breaks down why these misunderstandings lead to failed assessments and what contractors should be doing instead.

We walk through common assumptions like “cloud keeps me out of scope,” “my vendor is compliant so I’m compliant,” “MFA on email is enough,” “my firewall makes everything compliant,” and “cyber insurance handles reporting.” Each of these has a grain of truth but none of them meet the actual requirements in NIST 800-171 or CMMC Level 2.

You’ll learn:

• Why cloud environments don’t remove your endpoints from scope
• How caching, downloads, and browser access pull systems back into scope
• What vendor claims really don’t cover
• Why MFA must be implemented everywhere CUI is accessed, not just email
• The truth about firewalls and why they’re not “compliance shields”
• Why VDI is helpful but not a magic solution
• What cyber insurance does (and doesn’t) do during an incident
• Why remote workstations and home offices still introduce scope and risk

This episode is packed with clarity, not fear so manufacturers, CNC shops, and GovCon SMBs can make informed decisions, avoid costly assumptions, and protect their DoD contracts.

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CMMC Level 1 Self- Assessment Guide: https://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/CMMC/AG_Level1_V2.0_FinalDraft_20211210_508.pdf

In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Stacey and Austin from Justice IT Consulting break down CMMC Level 1 in clear, simple terms: what it is, who it applies to, and the exact steps small and mid-sized contractors must take to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI).

You’ll learn what the government expects from Level 1 contractors, how the 15 required practices actually work in real life, what documentation you must maintain for six years, and why the new annual self-assessment requirement matters more than ever.

Whether you’re a machine shop, fabricator, engineering firm, or small manufacturer supporting a prime contractor, this episode gives you the Level 1 foundation you must have in place.