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If you sell to the federal government — or plan to — CMMC 2.0 is no longer a future problem. It’s a right-now one.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is the U.S. government’s framework for ensuring contractors properly protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). And for companies in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), it’s becoming a hard gate to revenue.
What’s changed recently isn’t just the framework itself — it’s the urgency.
Let’s break down the three biggest pain points we’re seeing as companies race toward compliance.
1. CMMC Level 2 Is a Real Barrier to Entry
For most serious government contractors, Level 2 is the bar. That means implementing ~110 security controls aligned with NIST 800-171 and proving you’ve done it.
Not planning to do it.
Not working toward it.
Proving it.
And this is where many teams hit friction:
- Security controls span IT, HR, legal, and operations
- Evidence collection is manual and time-consuming
- Policies alone aren’t enough — auditors expect real technical implementation
Historically, companies could self-attest and move on. That era is ending.
Starting later this year, Level 2 will require a formal third-party assessment conducted by an authorized C3PAO. If you can’t pass that audit, you don’t just lose deals — you’re effectively locked out of government contracts.
2. The Legal Risk Is Bigger Than Most Founders Realize
CMMC compliance is a legal attestation that carries real accountability.
Every year, contractors must formally certify that their cybersecurity claims are accurate. If they’re not, companies can face exposure under federal law — including massive financial penalties and reputational damage that’s almost impossible to recover from.
This is what makes “close enough” compliance dangerous.
By pursuing CMMC, you are formally attesting that every statement you make about your security posture is accurate and truthful.
For many founders, this is the moment CMMC shifts from “IT project” to “board-level risk.”
3. Cost + Deadlines Are Colliding Fast
CMMC 2.0 is rolling out in phases:
- Phase 1: Self-assessments (already underway)
- Phase 2 (expected November 2026): Level 2 certifications require third-party audits
That second phase is the real inflection point.
Once Phase 2 lands:
- Level 2 contracts will require certified compliance
- Auditors will be in short supply
- Late starters will face long queues
- Prices for assessments and remediation will rise
Industry estimates suggest nearly 30% of DIB contractors won’t meet the initial Level 2 deadline.
Compliance timelines can slip because the process takes longer than expected, especially when organizations try to manage everything internally.
Many teams underestimate:
- How much documentation is required
- How many systems are in scope
- How long evidence collection takes
- How difficult remediation can be once gaps are discovered
Waiting until the deadline is visible in your pipeline is already too late.
How Koop Helps You Get CMMC 2.0 Ready — Before the Deadline
CMMC 2.0 doesn’t have to derail your government pipeline.
At Koop, we help companies move from uncertainty to certification — fast.
Here’s what makes us different:
- Preferred access to C3PAOs. While many contractors are bracing for audit backlogs, Koop customers get prioritized introductions to certified third-party assessors — a major edge as demand spikes ahead of Phase 2.
- End-to-end CMMC Level 2 support. We guide you through readiness, gap remediation, evidence collection, and audit prep — not just policy templates.
- Built for speed. Our platform and hands-on experts help you implement controls efficiently so you’re not stuck piecing together spreadsheets, consultants, and disconnected tools.
- Revenue-first compliance. The goal isn’t just “being compliant.” It’s helping you meet the deadline, pass your audit, and keep selling into the government.
With Phase 2 approaching and third-party assessments becoming mandatory, waiting puts your contracts — and your reputation — at risk.
Koop helps you get CMMC 2.0 compliant with confidence, connect with trusted C3PAOs, and stay eligible for government work while others scramble.
CMMC 2.0 is becoming a hard gate to revenue.
We’re here to help you clear it.
