Organizations working in defense, aerospace, and national security often hear the term ITAR. Many assume it only applies to weapons manufacturers. That assumption is wrong. ITAR, or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations, governs how certain defense-related items, technical data, and services are controlled and shared. If your organization works with military systems, defense technology,…
One of the most common questions organizations ask about CMMC is straightforward.How do we know which CMMC level applies to us? The answer is not based on company size or how long you have worked with the Department of War. It comes down to the contract and the type of data involved. Many organizations assume…
This article analyzes the DoW Class Deviation 2026-O0025, Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Part 40 and DFARS Part 240, issued by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and effective February 1, 2026. The official government document is published by the Defense Acquisition Regulations System (DARS) and is available here:https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars_far_overhaul_class_deviations.html Why This…
CMMC is no longer a future idea.The Department of War is already putting it into contracts. Many DoW contractors are still asking the same question.How will the DoW actually implement CMMC, and when will it affect my contracts? Many contractors assume CMMC will be applied across all contracts at once. That is not how the…
One of the first questions DoD contractors ask about CMMC is simple.How much does CMMC compliance really cost? The answer depends on more than just an audit fee. Contractors that wait too long often spend far more than expected and risk losing contract eligibility. Why CMMC Compliance Costs More Than Most Contractors Expect Many contractors…
Cyber rules for DoD contractors are tightening fast. CMMC compliance risk for DoD contractors is increasing as more contracts include cybersecurity requirements tied to CMMC, DFARS, and NIST 800-171. Many companies think this only applies in the future, but enforcement pressure is already rising today. This risk is not just about policies. NIST 800-171 requires…
The Department of Defense is spending more money than ever before. For FY2026, the DoD budget is set at more than $961 billion, making it one of the largest defense budgets in U.S. history. This funding is already being used to support new programs, contracts, and technology across the defense industrial base. For defense contractors,…
You might be closer to losing a contract than you think If you work with the Department of Defense, CMMC Level 2 is no longer “a future problem.” It is already showing up in real contracts, and buyers are asking real questions about your CMMC status. A lot of good contractors are not losing because…
CMMC is no longer “coming soon.” It is already written into real Department of Defense (DoD) contracts. If your company is not ready for CMMC Level 2, you may already be blocked from bidding on work. In late 2025, new solicitations started to include CMMC language. Some of them even call out CMMC Level 2…
Big changes are here, and small defense contractors need to pay attention. The Department of Defense (DoD) just rolled out Phase 1 of CMMC 2.0, and if you’re not ready, you could lose out on future contracts. The Pentagon has started surveying small businesses to find out just how prepared they are for CMMC 2.0…