CMMC Is Here. Are You Prepared?
Be The Shop Defense Contractors Can Trust.
Every business in the defense manufacturing supply chain—an estimated 300,000 companies—must obtain third-party CMMC certification. The level of required security will depend on what kind of data is handled by each company. Are you prepared?
What Job Shop Manufacturers Need to Know About CMMC
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) program that applies to Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors. It is a unifying standard and new certification model to ensure that DoD contractors properly protect sensitive information by meeting the standards set forth in DFARS and NIST 800-171.
CMMC requirements have been showing up in contracts since the phased rollout began on November 10th, 2025. For those looking to secure or retain defense contracts, or satisfy customers prioritizing their intellectual property (nearly everyone these days), Paperless Parts is designed to support you on your CMMC journey.
Navigating CMMC Compliance
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification
CMMC builds largely on the DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) and incorporates much of the pre-existing NIST (National Institute for Standard and Technology) 800-171 cybersecurity requirements that manufacturers have long been expected to meet when handling Contractor Defense Information or CUI.
However, CMMC is different from previous cybersecurity standards in that self-reporting compliance is no longer enough. Rather, certification by third-party auditors will be a precondition for quoting work. This is a major game changer for job shops.
What You Need to Know Now
CMMC requirements began hitting contracts in early 2024 and as of November 10th, 2025, are officially being implemented and passed down into defense related contracts. If you’re waiting until being required by a contract to think about cybersecurity compliance, you’re already behind. It takes a typical shop many months to assess and remediate gaps (think of it as roughly similar to the process of getting ISO 9001/AS9100 certified). Third-party certification takes additional time. Shops that are ahead of the game have an opportunity to differentiate themselves with buyers.
Is Paperless Parts CMMC-Compliant?
Paperless Parts is FedRAMP Moderate Equivalent, and is designed to support manufacturers who are required to achieve CMMC Level 2.
We protect data through industry-leading encryption, rigorous backup protocols, and US sovereignty.
- ITAR-registered
- Encryption in Transit: All data moving between your browser and our platform is protected using FIPS validated encryption.
- Encryption at Rest: Sensitive files and database records are encrypted using FIPS validated encryption at the storage layer.
- Disaster Recovery: Data is backed up nightly with a resiliency model that ensures high durability and rapid recovery.
- Integrated Security: Every file uploaded to Paperless Parts undergoes automated virus and malware scanning before processing.
- U.S. Person Restriction: Our platform and support operations are managed 100% by U.S. Persons on U.S. soil.
- Network and servers approved for Controlled Unclassified Information
- Your files are never sold or shared with third parties
- All data is securely backed up nightly
- Always retain ownership of data you upload
Beyond infrastructure, the Aerospace & Defense Tier provides a suite of features to help you meet your CRM obligations and manage day-to-day risk.
- SAML 2.0 and SSO
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Permission management
- CUI Flagging
- CUI Audit Trails
- Secure External Collaboration
- Redaction tooling
CMMC FAQ
Are CMMC compliance standards finalized?
The final rules and requirements were published in September 2025, and as of November 2025, CMMC is in full effect.
Why is CMMC important?
The U.S. projects its power via military technology, in which we’ve invested trillions of dollars over many decades. We have started to see adversaries field extremely similar systems at a fraction of the timeline and cost, most likely helped by the theft of intellectual property. As critical national infrastructure, manufacturing is a major target for cybercrime. Businesses of all sizes and at any point in the supply chain are targeted. Cyberattacks cost businesses $200,000 on average, and four in 10 companies have experienced multiple incidents. Research shows that the number of publicly recorded ransomware attacks against manufacturing has tripled in the last year alone—and even job shops and contract manufacturers are at risk: 43% of cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses. To protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), the government needs to ensure that shops are taking appropriate steps.
Does every shop have to be audited and certified?
With CMMC, some companies with defense contracts will need third-party certification, while others will be able to self-assess. Every company with a defense contract is still required to implement NIST 800-171, and must submit their Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score. Depending on the sensitivity of work performed, you may be asked to undergo a complete CMMC Audit. Even if your company is not pursuing CMMC Level 2 compliance, most shops do benefit from a third-party audit of their company’s Cybersecurity architecture.
Who do I contact to conduct a CMMC Compliance Audit?
A number of third-party accredited assessors offer audit services. Paperless Parts does not provide this service, however, we’re happy to work with you to provide recommendations as the landscape of services providers becomes clearer.
I don’t make parts with CUI. Do I need to get CMMC certified?
No – but cybersecurity should be a top priority for all shops. More and more buyers are including cybersecurity in their vendor evaluation criteria. A buyer’s primary job is to manage risk. In addition to risks with hitting cost and delivery goals, part buyers are increasingly concerned about their intellectual property.