Is Managed IT the Key to Easier CMMC Compliance?

Christopher Souza | CEO

With the 48 CFR rule expected to go into effect this fall, the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) will no longer be “nice to have,” but instead be a mandatory requirement for all organizations within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), whether you’re bidding on contracts or looking to retain existing ones.

Over the last 20 years, the business environment has changed dramatically. Cyber threats have evolved from isolated incidents into constant, sophisticated attacks that can cripple operations, compromise sensitive data, and jeopardize contracts. What used to be considered an “IT problem” is now a business-critical issue that especially impacts organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).

Even a single security incident can lead to major disruptions, reputational damage, and loss of government work. In short, the stakes have never been higher, and being unprepared is no longer an option.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to go it alone.

Businesses your size are increasingly finding success by partnering with Managed IT Services Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Services Providers (MSSPs) that understand the unique needs of small to mid-sized contractors. These partners can fast-track the compliance journey efficiently, affordably, and with far less disruption to your day-to-day operations.

Some providers bring even more to the table. TSI for example, has a dedicated cybersecurity and compliance team made up of veterans from the military and professionals with real-world experience working across multiple government agencies, often as auditors themselves. That means we don’t just know the rules, but we’ve helped write and enforce them as well. This kind of expertise translates into a smoother, more strategic path to CMMC readiness.

In this article, we’ll cover some of the best ways to tackle CMMC compliance and what actually works for organizations like yours. CMMC is an “all hands-on deck” effort. It’s not just about cybersecurity expertise; success requires organization-wide participation, clear policy and documentation development, and the ability to demonstrate operational maturity. That means building a culture of security, keeping compliance responsibilities across departments, and aligning day-to-day processes with regulatory expectations throughout your entire company.

The Harsh Reality: CMMC Is Bigger Than IT Alone

If you already have an internal IT resource or a small tech team, that’s a great start. But keep in mind: Level 2 CMMC compliance requires demonstrating full implementation of 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, spanning:

• Access Control
• Incident Response
• System and Communications Protection
• Continuous Monitoring
• Secure Configuration Management
• Documentation and Audit Readiness

This isn’t just an IT checklist, but a strategic initiative that touches every aspect of your organization. Many small internal IT teams lack the time, tools, and compliance knowledge to execute this successfully on their own.

The Affordability Myth of In-House IT Compliance

Myth: “We already have an IT guy so we can figure it out internally.”

Reality: DIY Compliance actually can cost more in the long run.

 Here are the top three reasons why:

1. Staffing & Training

   • Hiring new employees or upskilling your current IT staff to meet CMMC compliance requirements is a major investment of both time and money. Most internal teams, even highly capable ones, simply aren’t equipped with the specialized knowledge needed to navigate complex federal cybersecurity mandates.

     To reach and maintain CMMC Level 2 compliance, your staff would need a strong grasp of the full NIST SP 800-171 framework, along with working knowledge of DFARS 7012, FedRAMP baselines, and the technical requirements of secure enclaves. Beyond general IT knowledge, your team would need to understand:

     • Security-focused certifications like CISSP, CISM, CEH, Security+, or CMMC-specific credentials

     • SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tool configuration and log analysis

     • Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR), vulnerability scanning, and patch management systems

     • Cloud and on-prem infrastructure hardening (e.g., Secure Configuration Baselines, MFA, FIPS-validated encryption)

     • Audit prep and evidence collection processes required for third-party assessments (C3PAO)

     Training a team to this level could take months or even years, and that’s assuming you can find and retain the right talent in today’s highly competitive cybersecurity job market.

     Many organizations mistakenly assume their current team can “figure it out,” only to realize too late that they’ve underestimated the scope. Choosing a partner who already understands and supports these requirements is essential.

     TSI brings this full range of expertise from day one. Our team has already done the work. Many on our team of experts are former DoD personnel, auditors, and security architects with direct experience inside the agencies you’re now required to comply with. You don’t have to build that bench internally. We’ve already got it ready.

2. Tools & Infrastructure
   • Licensing and deploying the tools needed for compliance is extremely expensive to incorporate.

1. Audit Failure Risk
   • Failing leads to rework, lost time, damaged contracts, damaged reputation, and even more spending required for remediation.

Why Managed IT is a Strategic Advantage

A specialized MSP with CMMC expertise doesn’t just offer technical and cybersecurity support. They also guide and support your compliance journey every step of the way. At TSI, we’ve been helping DoD contractors accelerate their compliance journey while minimizing disruption and cost.

Here’s how our managed IT services can help:

• 24/7 Monitoring & SIEM Integration
  • Real-time threat detection is more than just a best practice, but a contractual obligation under DFARS 7012, which requires cyber incidents to be reported to the DoD within 72 hours. Unlike third-party “SOC-in-a-box” providers, TSI takes ownership of security alerts. Our in-house Security Operations Center (SOC) integrates advanced SIEM tools to monitor your environment 24/7, filtering hundreds of thousands of log events daily to detect and respond to threats in real-time. Our dedicated incident response team can support your environment day-to-day. This continuity ensures faster, more accurate responses, and a smoother process when reporting incidents to the DoD. We work alongside your compliance stakeholders to ensure that every response aligns with CMMC and DFARS reporting requirements. The result: faster containment, lower risk, maintained contract eligibility, and less headaches.

• Simplified, Centralized Documentation
  • CMMC compliance is documentation heavy. Policies, procedures, SSPs, and POAMs must be not only written, but continuously updated and readily available for audits. At TSI, we take a structured approach. Through our Security Review Board (SRB) service, we conduct scheduled reviews that align with our clients’ availability and operational cadence. This ensures documentation accurately reflects current configurations, control implementations, and remediation efforts without disrupting your daily operations. This removes the internal burden and significantly reduces audit prep time and cost, helping you stay ahead of compliance without disrupting day-to-day operations.

• Secure IT Infrastructure and MFA Implementation
  • Improper system configurations and weak access controls are among the top causes of cybersecurity failures. We enforce secure baselines and Multi-Factor Authentication (a commonly failed control in CMMC assessments). By proactively hardening your environment, we reduce attack surfaces and demonstrate measurable compliance, making your organization less vulnerable and more competitive in the DoD supply chain.

• Pre-Audit and Virtual CISO Services
  • Preparing for CMMC isn’t just about checking boxes. Our vCISO team helps you interpret evolving requirements, map them to your specific environment, and guide you through both internal assessments and third-party audits. This proactive support helps avoid costly delays, failed assessments, and the risk of disqualification from future contracts. Think of MSPs like us as your in-house security and compliance team. We’re fully integrated into your operations, not just a third-party vendor. We meet regularly, stay aligned with your goals, and are there at every step to make sure you’re audit-ready and secure.

• Scalable Support for Growing Businesses
  • Whether you’re pursuing Level 1 (Foundational) or Level 2 (Advanced) compliance, our services scale with your business. We adapt to your infrastructure, not the other way around. This flexibility ensures that security never becomes a barrier to growth or government contract eligibility.

Why TSI is the Right Partner for DoD Contractors

We’re not just a vendor trying to sell you cheap promises. We’re a CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO) that’s been independently assessed by a C3PAO. That means we practice what we preach.

What sets us apart:

• 37+ years supporting DoD contractors and manufacturers
• Expertise in NIST 800-171, DFARS 7012, and CMMC 2.0
• A single, fully integrated team providing both IT support and compliance services without the need for multiple vendors
• Predictable monthly pricing that comes with no surprise fees
• Proven success helping businesses achieve and maintain an audit-ready state

We know what it takes to pass a CMMC audit because we’ve been through the process ourselves.

Get Ahead or Get Left Behind! Contact Us Today

CMMC compliance can take anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Trying to go it alone is a costly risk. With the right MSP, you’ll spend less time worrying about compliance and more time focusing on what matters most: growing your business. If you’re a small DoD contractor, now is the time to start (or accelerate) your path to compliance.

Let’s talk. Reach out to us today, and a member of our team will contact you to schedule a no-obligation CMMC readiness consultation.

About Technical Support International

TSI is 36-year old cybersecurity (MSSP) and IT support (MSP) company specializing in helping DIB organizations address their NIST 800-171 and CMMC compliance obligations. As a CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO), TSI offers a complete NIST 800-171 and CMMC support solution to help guide our clients toward a successful certification audit and provide the assurance that they’re adhering to these expansive compliance requirements.