With the final rule for CMMC now in place and the phased rollout underway, organizations that handle FCI or CUI are entering a period where preparation has moved from the theoretical to a practical necessity.
This article breaks down what preparation looks like in 2026: the decisions organizations are making, the challenges they face, the timelines that matter, and the strategic opportunities available for those who treat CMMC as more than a compliance checkbox.
The ink has barely dried on the CMMC final rule, and already the defense contracting community is buzzing with speculation about what comes next. Just when contractors thought they had a moment to catch their breath after years of regulatory limbo, whispers of CMMC 3.0 have begun circulating through the industry.
But is this just noise, or is there something more substantial happening behind the scenes? As it turns out, recent DoD actions suggest that conversations about the next iteration of CMMC might be closer than we thought.
For organizations in the Defense Industrial Base, CMMC readiness is an immediate mandate to line up security requirements across the digital supply chain. With the DoD’s final rule now in effect, companies must treat compliance as a strategic business imperative. Delaying readiness is risky, if not business-ending, and could result in loss of contracts.
Here, we’re discussing some of the most common barriers to certification… and why they cannot stop you from pursuing compliance.