Avoiding the Top 5 Pitfalls in CMMC Readiness

Author:

James Rogers

Last Updated:

October 17, 2025

Introduction

The path to CMMC 2.0 compliance is rarely smooth. For many defense contractors, the journey is filled with false starts, misunderstood requirements, and costly delays. The stakes are high: without certification, you may lose eligibility for DoD contracts.

At Argo Cyber, we’ve seen the same mistakes repeated across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Here are the five most common pitfalls—and how to avoid them.

Pitfall 1: Treating CMMC Like an IT-Only Problem

CMMC compliance is not just about firewalls and antivirus software. It’s about aligning people, processes, and technology to safeguard CUI. Companies that delegate compliance solely to their IT department often overlook policy, governance, and training requirements.

How to Avoid It: Form a cross-functional compliance team. Involve leadership, HR, operations, and legal alongside IT.

Pitfall 2: Incomplete SSPs and POA&Ms

The System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) are central to CMMC audits. Many companies either skip them or produce documents so vague they’re useless.

How to Avoid It: Treat your SSP as a living document. Be specific—map each NIST 800-171 control to your environment. For gaps, create realistic POA&Ms with timelines.

Pitfall 3: Ignoring Supply Chain Risks

You may lock down your environment, but what about your subcontractors? The DIB is interconnected, and supply chain risks are a key DoD concern.

How to Avoid It: Flow down CMMC requirements to suppliers. Require attestations of compliance. Monitor vendors handling sensitive data.

Pitfall 4: Over-Reliance on Self-Assessments

Self-assessments are useful, but they are not sufficient for higher-level certifications. Contractors often underestimate how rigorous third-party assessments can be.

How to Avoid It: Conduct mock assessments with an external partner like Argo Cyber. Identify weak points before the official audit.

Pitfall 5: Failing to Document Policies and Procedures

You can have excellent security practices, but if they’re not documented, you’ll fail the audit.

How to Avoid It: Maintain written policies for access control, incident response, media protection, and more. Train employees on these policies and keep records of compliance activities.

Conclusion

Avoiding these pitfalls saves time, money, and stress. With proactive planning and the right partner, CMMC readiness can become a manageable process that strengthens—not burdens—your business.

Argo Cyber helps DIB contractors build solid compliance programs and avoid common missteps. Schedule a CMMC gap assessment today.

TOPICS:

Government, Cybersecurity Trends, Compliance

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