Spyderweb Communications

CMMC 2.0 Compliance

Affordable, expert-led CMMC support for defense contractors — Level 1 (FCI / FAR 52.204-21 self-assessment) and Level 2 (CUI / NIST 800-171 with C3PAO). Meet DoD requirements and keep winning contracts.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is the gatekeeper for Department of Defense contracts involving sensitive information — either Federal Contract Information (FCI) under CMMC Level 1, or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) under CMMC Level 2. Most contractors handling CUI must achieve Level 2, but many defense suppliers handling only FCI can meet their obligation with Level 1 — a faster, less expensive path requiring just 17 foundational controls and annual self-assessment rather than third-party C3PAO audit. As of 2026, the phased rollout is well underway — prime contractors are flowing CMMC requirements down to their subcontractors, and organizations without certification are being excluded from bids they previously won on merit alone. If you haven't started yet, the right first step is a CMMC readiness assessment — an honest evaluation of where you stand before committing to a multi-month certification engagement.

CMMC 2.0 streamlined the original five-level model into three tiers aligned with NIST SP 800-171 and 800-172. For prioritized acquisitions, the framework replaces self-attestation with independent third-party assessment by an accredited C3PAO; non-prioritized Level 2 programs retain an annual self-assessment with senior-official affirmation. Either way, preparation is critical — a failed assessment or a fabricated SPRS score delays your certification timeline and can cost you active contracts.

With over 20 years of IT experience, Spyderweb Communications now helps defense contractors in Tacoma and across the Puget Sound navigate federal cybersecurity requirements — including Lacey-area defense contractors near the JBLM north gate. Our team combines deep knowledge of NIST controls with practical IT implementation experience, delivering compliance solutions that are right-sized for organizations without enterprise-scale budgets. We handle everything from the initial risk assessment through audit preparation so you can focus on your mission — not your paperwork. Many defense contractors also ask us to build Proxmox VE or Hyper-V virtualization environments that meet CMMC control requirementsto avoid VMware's licensing cost on top of their CMMC investment.

CMMC Services

End-to-end support from gap assessment through C3PAO audit preparation. Every engagement is scoped to your target CMMC level and current maturity.

Gap Assessment

A detailed evaluation of your current security environment against your target framework — FAR 52.204-21 for Level 1 or NIST SP 800-171 for Level 2. We map every gap, score your readiness, and deliver a prioritized Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).

Security Controls Implementation

Hands-on deployment of the technical, administrative, and physical controls required for your target CMMC level — from access control and encryption to network segmentation and endpoint protection.

Documentation & SSP

We author your System Security Plan, policies, procedures, and evidence artifacts to the standard your assessor expects — a C3PAO for Level 2 or your senior official affirmation for Level 1 self-assessment. Every document traces directly to the controls it satisfies.

Continuous Monitoring

Ongoing security monitoring keeps controls effective across the 3-year Level 2 certification cycle, with annual senior-official affirmation between assessments. Configuration drift and policy exceptions are flagged before they become findings.

Third-Party Audit Prep

Mock assessments, evidence package reviews, and assessor interview coaching so your team walks into the C3PAO engagement (Level 2) or self-assessment review (Level 1) confident and prepared — with no surprises on audit day.

Incident Response Planning

Development and testing of an incident response plan that meets CMMC requirements. We define roles, escalation paths, containment procedures, and reporting timelines tailored to your organization.

CMMC 2.0 Levels

CMMC 2.0 defines three maturity levels. Your required level depends on the type and sensitivity of information you handle for the DoD.

  • Level 1 — Foundational. Covers 17 basic cybersecurity practices drawn from FAR 52.204-21. Applies to contractors that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) but not CUI. Level 1 permits annual self-assessment and is the fastest path to certification for organizations with limited data sensitivity requirements.
  • Level 2 — Advanced. Requires implementation of 110 security practices aligned with NIST SP 800-171. This is the level most CUI-handling contractors must achieve. Triennial third-party assessment by a C3PAO is required for prioritized acquisitions (the vast majority of contracts handling CUI); non-prioritized Level 2 programs permit annual self-assessment with senior official affirmation.
  • Level 3 — Expert. Builds on Level 2 by adding a subset of controls from NIST SP 800-172, focused on protecting CUI against advanced persistent threats (APTs). Level 3 is assessed by the government (DIBCAC) and applies to contractors working on the most sensitive DoD programs.

Most small and mid-sized defense contractors in the Puget Sound region fall into Level 1 or Level 2. Our team will help you determine the correct level based on your contracts, data flows, and the specific DFARS clauses in your agreements. For a deeper look at the timeline, costs, and preparation steps, read our guide to preparing for the November 2026 CMMC Phase 2 deadline.

Why Choose Spyderweb for CMMC?

CMMC compliance is a significant undertaking — but it does not have to be overwhelming or overpriced. Here is what sets Spyderweb Communications apart from national consulting firms.

  • Affordable for SMBs. We built our CMMC practice specifically for small and mid-sized defense contractors — not Fortune 500 primes. Our pricing reflects realistic budgets, and we scope engagements to avoid paying for controls you do not need.
  • Local, hands-on support. Based in the Puget Sound region, we provide on-site support for defense contractors in Puyallup, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, Olympia, Tumwater, and throughout Western Washington. When you call, you talk to the same team that built your security controls — not a call center.
  • 20+ years of experience. We have been managing IT infrastructure since 2003, and that depth of experience means we understand how NIST controls translate into real-world configurations — firewalls, endpoints, identity systems, and cloud platforms — not just policy documents.
  • Compliant collaboration tools. We deploy and manage Microsoft Teams GCC High for CMMC environments, giving your team a FedRAMP High-authorized collaboration platform that satisfies CUI handling requirements without sacrificing productivity.
  • Full-stack security partner. CMMC does not exist in a vacuum. Our managed security services, penetration testing, and cybersecurity services ensure the controls you implement for CMMC also protect you against the threats those controls were designed to stop.

Ready to start your CMMC journey? Contact Spyderweb Communications today for a free initial consultation. We will assess your current posture, identify your target level, and outline a clear path to certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

What CMMC Level does my business need for DoD contracts?

Your CMMC level depends on the data you handle. Level 1 (17 foundational controls, annual self-assessment) covers Federal Contract Information (FCI) only — no C3PAO required — and is the fastest path for contractors without CUI exposure. Most contractors handling CUI need Level 2 (110 NIST 800-171 controls, third-party C3PAO assessment for prioritized acquisitions). Level 3 is reserved for the highest-risk government programs and is assessed by the DoD's DIBCAC. Your DFARS clause and prime contractor dictate the required level; Spyderweb verifies this during the gap assessment and recommends the timeline and cost impact of each.

Can we stay on commercial Microsoft 365 or do we need GCC High?

It depends on whether you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). If yes, GCC High is the dominant path for Level 2 CUI handling — commercial Microsoft 365 lacks FedRAMP High authorization and ITAR boundary controls, and engineering commercial M365 to satisfy CUI handling requirements is rarely cost-effective for SMBs. If you only handle FCI (Level 1), commercial M365 plus additional hardening typically suffices. We handle both migrations and advise on the path that fits your contract scope.

How long does CMMC 2.0 compliance typically take?

Timeline depends on your target level. Level 1 typically takes 2-4 months — policies, 17 basic controls, and annual self-assessment documentation. Level 2 requires 6-12 months: policy authoring, 110 control implementation, and third-party C3PAO assessment for prioritized acquisitions. A 25-person firm at Level 1 needs 2-3 months; the same firm targeting Level 2 should expect 9-10 months. Firms with mature existing IT controls compress the timeline considerably.

Does Spyderweb perform the CMMC assessment or just prepare us?

We are not a C3PAO — the Level 2 assessment itself must be performed by an authorized third-party organization. (Level 1 contractors do not need a C3PAO; the annual self-assessment with senior official affirmation is conducted internally and submitted to SPRS.) Spyderweb handles everything up to that point: gap assessment, POA&M, security control implementation, System Security Plan, evidence collection, and mock audit. We coordinate with C3PAOs we have worked with across the Puget Sound to book the Level 2 assessment when you're ready.

What does CMMC compliance cost?

Cost depends on your target level. Level 1 implementation is meaningfully lower-cost than Level 2 — fewer controls, no C3PAO assessor fees, and rarely a GCC High migration requirement. Level 2 runs higher due to NIST 800-171 control implementation, GCC High migration if CUI is in scope, and the C3PAO assessment itself. Annual maintenance is proportionally lower for Level 1. Spyderweb scopes every engagement fixed-fee after the gap assessment so you know the full price upfront — pricing varies by the size and complexity of your environment.

Ready to Secure Your Business?

Get a free consultation with our Tacoma-based team. We've been securing Puget Sound businesses since 2003.

(253) 495-8000Contact Us