With the recent federal government shutdown beginning on October 1 and no clear end in sight, many defense contractors are wondering what this means for their CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) compliance journey. The short answer: very little has changed.
CMMC Remains on Track
According to the latest updates from the Cyber AB and the CMMC Program Management Office (PMO), the November 10 effective date is still on schedule. While some PMO staff may experience temporary slowdowns due to reduced government operations, key activities continue uninterrupted.
- DIBCAC (Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center) continues to assess C3PAOs (Certified Third-Party Assessor Organizations).
- eMASS (Enterprise Mission Assurance Support Service), the DoD’s platform for system assessments, remains fully operational.
- Cyber AB communications and training for assessors are ongoing.
Why Contractors Should Stay the Course
A government shutdown doesn’t halt the DoD’s push for stronger cybersecurity standards. The need to protect sensitive defense information remains critical, and contractors who delay compliance risk falling behind once normal operations resume.
For organizations in the Defense Industrial Base, this is the perfect time to:
- Continue internal readiness assessments
- Address any POA&Ms (Plans of Action and Milestones)
- Engage with a Registered Provider Organization (RPO) or C3PAO to validate progress
The Bottom Line
The government shutdown may temporarily slow administrative processes, but CMMC compliance is still moving forward. Don’t let the headlines become an excuse to pause your preparations, the wheels of CMMC are still turning, and staying proactive ensures your organization is ready when certification requirements are enforced.
Schedule a Quick Consultation with SME
Whether you’re just starting your CMMC journey or refining your compliance strategy, SME’s cybersecurity experts are here to help. Our team can walk you through your current readiness, outline what the latest CMMC updates mean for your business, and create a practical roadmap to certification, all in a quick, no-obligation consultation.
Schedule your consultation today and stay ahead of CMMC with confidence.
