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Navigating the U.S. federal procurement system is challenging, particularly for Defense Industrial Base (DIB) companies working to meet evolving cybersecurity standards like the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
The stakes are high: failure to comply can mean lost contracts and diminished competitiveness.
One way organizations can reduce this burden is by partnering with a fully FedRAMP-authorized Cloud Service Provider (CSP) or Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP). These providers not only meet federal security requirements themselves but also extend those assurances to their clients—making CMMC implementation and compliance significantly more achievable.
To better understand the landscape of Fed-RAMP providers and CMMC implementation and compliance, we turned to our partners at Trustwave. Trustwave, through its subsidiary Trustwave Government Solutions, has committed the time and invested the financial resources necessary to achieve and maintain FedRAMP authorization. Trustwave also has the unique honor of being the only pure-play Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provider recognized by FedRAMP.
Why FedRAMP Matters for CMMC
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance begins with scoping and safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), including Security Protection Data (SPD). If a Defense Industrial Base (DIB) company relies on external cloud or monitoring services for CUI or SPD, those services must be FedRAMP Moderate Authorized (or equivalent) at a minimum.
- Level 3 CMMC: Requires use of FedRAMP Moderate Authorized services.
- Level 2 CMMC: Allows self-attestation of FedRAMP equivalence but shifts the burden of proof onto the DIB company, requiring extensive documentation for C3.
This documentation—known as a Body of Evidence—is exhaustive. It includes System Security Plans, Incident Response Plans, configuration and assessment reports, penetration test results, and more. Collecting and maintaining these materials can be resource-intensive without an authorized partner to guide CMMC implementation and compliance.
Here is the Body of Evidence list:
- Applicable Laws, Regulations, and Standards
- Auxiliary Documents (e.g., evidence artifacts)
- Configuration Management Plan (CMP)
- Continuous Monitoring Strategy (CA-7 requirement)
- Control Implementation Summary (CIS) Workbook
- Database Scan Results
- Digital Identity Worksheet
- Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 199
- Incident Response Plan (IRP)
- Information Security Policies and Procedures
- Information System Contingency Plan (ISCP)
- Infrastructure Scan Results
- Integrated Inventory Workbook
- Monthly Executive Summary (FedRAMP-validated)
- Penetration Test Reports
- Penetration Test Rules of Engagement
- Penetration Testing Plan and Methodology
- Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
- Risk Exposure Table
- Rules of Behavior (RoB)
- Sampling Methodology
- Security Assessment Report (SAR)
- Security Test Case Procedures
- Separation of Duties Matrix
- System Assessment Plan (SAP)
- System Security Plan (SSP)
- User Guide
Beyond CMMC Implementation: ITAR and Additional Requirements
Compliance doesn’t end with CMMC. Organizations working with defense-related data may also need to meet International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), which impose additional restrictions:
- U.S.-only data storage in secure environments such as AWS GovCloud or Microsoft Azure GCC High.
- U.S. personnel only for system administration, monitoring, and support functions.
- Staff with federal security clearances and organizational Facility Clearances issued by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA).
These layers of requirements make CMMC implementation and ongoing compliance complex, especially for organizations trying to manage everything in-house.
The Value of a Fully Authorized Security Provider
By working with a provider that has already achieved and maintains federal authorizations, organizations can:
- Offload compliance responsibility, shifting much of the regulatory burden to the provider. Leverage proven infrastructure with secure U.S.-only hosting environments, vetted for federal use.
- Rely on trained and cleared personnel staff who meet clearance requirements and undergo regular certification.
- Ensure continuous compliance with annual reassessments, ongoing monitoring, and proactive updates.
Ultimately, this partnership allows DIB companies to focus on mission-critical innovation and delivery while their provider handles the complexities of cybersecurity compliance and CMMC implementation.
Simplify Compliance, Strengthen Security
CMMC and ITAR requirements can feel overwhelming, but organizations don’t have to tackle them alone. Partnering with a fully authorized provider like Trustwave means benefiting from infrastructure, expertise, and certifications that are already in place—dramatically reducing both cost and risk while ensuring federal compliance.
Federal compliance is complex, but your path forward doesn’t have to be. With the right partner, you can offload much of the regulatory burden and focus on what matters most: growing your business and serving your clients.
Book a consultation with Bridgepointe today, and our experts will help you assess your current state, identify compliance gaps, and design a cybersecurity strategy that keeps you secure, compliant, and competitive.
