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PODCAST

CMMC Compliance Guide

CMMC Compliance Guide

Our experiences inspired the creation of The CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast and its accompanying resources. The podcast began as a way to share what we learned through real-world challenges—like helping that aerospace machine shop—and to provide accessible education for businesses navigating DoD cybersecurity requirements.The CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast breaks down complex topics like NIST 800-171 and CMMC into actionable, easy-to-understand steps. Whether you’re a subcontractor struggling to meet

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All Episodes

17:40

Can You Create CUI? CMMC Scope, ERP Systems, and...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/04/17

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in CMMC compliance. Many contractors assume that if information is not marked as controlled unclassified information, then it is not CUI. But that assumption can lead to serious compliance risks. We break down how manufacturers and machine shops can actually create CUI while performing contract work, even if the original data was not...

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17:52

The Hidden Operational Workload Behind CMMC Compliance

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/04/10

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we break down one of the biggest misconceptions in CMMC compliance. Most contractors think CMMC is just a cybersecurity upgrade. Install a few tools, write some policies, and you are ready for an assessment. But that is not how CMMC actually works. The real challenge is the operational workload behind compliance. We walk through what that workload actually looks like, including d...

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48:42

CMMC Reassessments Explained: What Changes Trigger a...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/04/03

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we break down one of the most overlooked risks in CMMC compliance. What actually happens when your environment changes after an assessment? Many contractors assume that once they pass a CMMC assessment or complete a self assessment, they are set for the next year or even three years. But recent guidance from the Cyber AB town hall reveals that certain changes can trigger a brand ...

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41:48

How Prime Contractors Evaluate Supplier Cybersecurity...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/03/27

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! What are prime contractors actually expecting from suppliers when it comes to CMMC and cybersecurity? In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Austin and Brooke sit down with Bo Birdwell from Elbit Systems of America to get the prime contractor perspective on what suppliers need to understand right now. They break down how primes are thinking about CMMC, what they are looking for in small and mid-sized defense suppliers...

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51:32

CMMC Supplier Questions Answered: Level 1 vs Level 2,...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/03/20

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! What do small machine shops, aerospace suppliers, and defense manufacturers really need to know about CMMC right now? In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Austin and Brooke answer some of the most common supplier questions they hear from companies trying to prepare for CMMC compliance. They break down how small suppliers can plan when contract requirements are still unclear, what level of compliance may be needed, h...

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42:16

CMMC Level 1 Self-Attestation Explained:...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/03/13

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! lot of contractors assume CMMC Level 1 is just a simple checkbox. It is not. In this episode, Austin and Brooke break down what CMMC Level 1 actually requires, what a self-assessment really looks like, and why self-attestation without documentation can create serious risk. They cover the difference between Level 1 and Level 2, what Federal Contract Information (FCI) actually is, how Level 1 maps to the formal assessment proces...

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35:55

CMMC Scoping 101: The Most Expensive Mistake...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/03/06

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Scope is the foundation of your CMMC compliance program and getting it wrong is one of the most expensive mistakes a DoD contractor can make. In this episode, Austin and Brooke break down what “scope” actually means in plain English, why contractors skip scoping early on, and how one small miss, like a downloads folder or a USB handoff, can quietly pull major systems into scope. We cover: What CMMC scope really is, including process...

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27:50

Key Takeaways from the January 2026 CMMC Town Hall:...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/02/13

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! The January 2026 CMMC Town Hall brought several important clarifications and program updates that directly impact Department of War (DoD) contractors. In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, we break down what changed, what was clarified, and what contractors should take away from the latest guidance. We cover: New DOW CIO leadership changes and what they mean for CMMCUpdated clarification on Hard Copy CUI (and what qu...

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20:14

Why Feeling “CMMC Ready” Isn’t the Same as Passing a...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/02/06

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Many DoW contractors feel confident they’re ready for a CMMC Level 2 assessment until assessors get involved. That’s when gaps in documentation, scope, and operational maturity start to surface. In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Brooke breaks down why implementation alone does not equal readiness. We walk through what assessors look for before technical testing even begins, why documentation is often the rea...

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50:36

CMMC FAQ Update: Timeline, Subcontractor Flowdowns,...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/01/30

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! The DoW just released updated CMMC FAQs that clarify the rules contractors keep getting wrong. In this episode, Austin and Brooke break down what the new guidance actually says, what it means for your scope, and where vendor and architecture decisions can derail an assessment before it even starts. We cover the most important FAQ clarifications, including: The real CMMC timeline and what Phase 1 vs Phase 2 changesWhy primes may dema...

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28:18

How to Triage CMMC Compliance When You’re Overwhelmed...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/01/23

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! When CMMC compliance starts to feel overwhelming, most companies don’t fail because they lack effort, they fail because they don’t know where to start. In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Brooke and Stacey break down why CMMC feels so urgent and high-risk for small and mid-sized DoD contractors, and how to triage your compliance work so you can make real progress without burning out. This episode covers: Why st...

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71:18

CMMC Evidence 101: How to Prove NIST 800-171...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/01/16

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Get your free SPRS Roadmap here: https://cmmccomplianceguide.com/free-sprs-roadmap In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Austin and Brooke break down the #1 thing that trips companies up before a CMMC Level 2 assessment: evidence. Having a binder of policies (or a 300-page SSP) is not enough. Assessors want proof you are doing what you say you do consistently, over time and they want it organized so they can quickly...

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44:33

What CMMC Assessors Notice First: Early Red Flags...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/01/09

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! What do CMMC Level 2 assessors notice first, sometimes within the first day, before they ever dig into your firewall configs or deep technical testing? In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Austin and Brooke break down the early red flags that can derail your assessment fast. We cover what assessors ask for right out of the gate (and how quickly you need to respond), why generic SSPs create problems, how scoping mist...

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54:10

CMMC Paperwork Without the Pain: How to Simplify...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2026/01/02

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Most small and mid-sized manufacturers do not fail CMMC because of “tech.” They fail because their documentation does not match how the shop actually runs. In this episode, Austin and Brooke break down how to build CMMC documentation that is concise, accurate, and assessor-friendly without drowning in templates that were never written for your business. You will learn why template overload causes gaps, how to keep policies aligned t...

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26:09

How CMMC Became a Competitive Advantage for DoD...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2025/12/26

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! CMMC is no longer just a compliance requirement. It is now a competitive advantage that directly impacts who wins and who loses DoD contracts. In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Stacey and Brooke break down how the final 48 CFR rule has changed the contracting landscape and why primes are now aggressively pushing CMMC requirements down to their subcontractors. We explain how CMMC certification, SPRS scores, and a...

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32:38

NIST 800-171 and CMMC 2.0: How Assessors Actually...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2025/12/19

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Are assessors judging you on CMMC or NIST 800 171 when audit day arrives? In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Stacey and Brooke break down the real relationship between CMMC 2.0 and NIST 800 171 so you are not guessing when it matters most. We walk through how the 110 NIST 800 171 controls and 320 assessment objectives drive your CMMC level 2 certification, and what CMMC layers on top, including POA&M limits,...

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16:59

Top CMMC Myths Debunked: Cloud, Vendors, Firewalls,...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2025/12/12

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! Today’s episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast dives into the biggest myths that machine shops, fabricators, CNC shops, and mid-sized defense contractors still believe about CMMC. From cloud misconceptions to vendor promises that fall short, Brooke breaks down why these misunderstandings lead to failed assessments and what contractors should be doing instead. We walk through common assumptions like “cloud keeps me out of scope...

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29:02

Plain English Guide to CMMC Level 1: Basic...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2025/12/05

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! CMMC Level 1 Self- Assessment Guide: https://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/CMMC/AG_Level1_V2.0_FinalDraft_20211210_508.pdf In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Stacey and Austin from Justice IT Consulting break down CMMC Level 1 in clear, simple terms: what it is, who it applies to, and the exact steps small and mid-sized contractors must take to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI). You’ll learn wh...

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42:31

Top 12 CMMC Level 2 Requirements Explained: Gap...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2025/11/28

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Stacey and Austin from Justice IT Consulting walk through the top 12 essentials every contractor needs to achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance especially small and mid-sized defense manufacturers. You’ll learn how to start compliance the right way with a formal gap assessment, define and shrink your CUI scope, and build a System Security Plan (SSP) that maps to all 110 NIST 800-171 c...

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28:40

Cyber AB Town Hall Breakdown: Legal Lessons,...

CMMC Compliance Guide ·

2025/11/07

Submit any questions you would like answered on the podcast! In this episode of the CMMC Compliance Guide Podcast, Brooke and Stacey from Justice IT Consulting unpack the biggest updates from the Cyber AB’s October 2025 Town Hall and what they mean for defense contractors preparing for CMMC certification. You’ll learn: Why the government shutdown isn’t delaying CMMC or the 48 CFR rolloutThe $875K False Claims Act case against Georgia Tech and what it teaches all contractorsHow the CMMC ecosys...

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