Let's be real. CMMC compliance is tough. If you're a defense supplier trying to secure DoD contracts, you already know the stakes are high. One wrong move and you could lose your certification: or worse, never get it in the first place.
The good news? Most compliance failures come from the same handful of mistakes. Mistakes that are 100% avoidable.
Here's the deal: we've seen defense suppliers make these errors over and over again. So we're breaking down the 7 most common CMMC compliance mistakes and showing you exactly how to fix them: with a focus on how CPE Level 2 makes the whole process easier.
Mistake #1: Skipping the Readiness Assessment
The Problem:
Too many defense suppliers dive straight into compliance without knowing where they stand. They assume their current security setup is "good enough" and then get blindsided during the audit.
Why It Hurts:
Without a proper readiness assessment, you won't know your gaps until it's too late. That means scrambling to fix issues under pressure: or failing your certification altogether.
The Fix:
Conduct a comprehensive internal audit before anything else. Review your entire cybersecurity posture. Identify vulnerabilities. Give yourself time to address them.
How CPE Level 2 Helps:
CPE Level 2 comes with built-in compliance coverage for all 110 CMMC 2.0 Level 2 requirements. That means fewer gaps to find: and fewer surprises during your assessment.
Mistake #2: Poor Documentation Practices
The Problem:
Documentation isn't glamorous. But it's absolutely critical. Many suppliers have decent security practices but can't prove it because their documentation is incomplete, outdated, or just plain messy.
Why It Hurts:
Auditors need evidence. If you can't show detailed records of your security controls, policies, and implementations, you won't pass. Period.
The Fix:
Create and maintain detailed, current documentation for every security practice and control. Keep it organized and accessible.
How CPE Level 2 Helps:
CPE Level 2 includes System Security Plans and policy documentation as part of the package. You're not starting from scratch: you're starting from a position of strength.
Mistake #3: Ignoring Third-Party and Supply Chain Security
The Problem:
Your cybersecurity is only as strong as your weakest link. If you're working with vendors or subcontractors who aren't CMMC compliant, their vulnerability is your vulnerability.
Why It Hurts:
One non-compliant partner can tank your entire certification effort. And if they handle CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information), you're on the hook.
The Fix:
Assess every vendor and subcontractor for CMMC compliance. Include supply chain security in your risk management plan. Don't assume: verify.
How CPE Level 2 Helps:
With CPE Level 2, your CUI stays protected within a secure enclave. This isolation reduces your exposure to third-party risks and gives you stronger control over sensitive data.
Mistake #4: Overlooking Physical Security Controls
The Problem:
CMMC isn't just about firewalls and encryption. Physical security matters too. Many suppliers focus entirely on digital protections and forget about restricting access to sensitive areas, maintaining visitor logs, and securing physical assets.
Why It Hurts:
An auditor will check your physical controls. If someone can walk into your server room unchallenged, that's a compliance failure.
The Fix:
Implement comprehensive physical security measures. Restrict access to sensitive areas. Keep visitor logs. Develop plans that address both digital and physical risks.
How CPE Level 2 Helps:
CPE Level 2 is designed with integrated security management that considers the full picture: including guidance on physical security requirements to meet CMMC standards.
Mistake #5: Generic Security Awareness Training
The Problem:
You've got training. Great. But is it CMMC-specific? Generic security awareness programs don't cut it. If your team doesn't understand CUI handling procedures and their specific compliance responsibilities, you're exposed.
Why It Hurts:
Human error is one of the biggest security risks. Untrained employees are compliance liabilities.
The Fix:
Develop CMMC-tailored training programs. Include role-specific content for personnel with special security responsibilities. Keep detailed training records. Schedule regular refreshers.
How CPE Level 2 Helps:
Planet Security Inc. offers access to our Training Academy alongside CPE Level 2. Your team gets the knowledge they need to maintain compliance: not just check a box.
Mistake #6: Incomplete Asset Inventory Management
The Problem:
Do you know exactly which assets process, store, or transmit CUI? If you can't answer that question confidently, you've got a problem. Many defense suppliers struggle to maintain accurate, comprehensive asset inventories.
Why It Hurts:
You can't protect what you don't know you have. Incomplete inventories undermine every other security control you've implemented.
The Fix:
Implement automated asset discovery and management. Track physical and virtual assets. Include asset owners, locations, and security requirements. Conduct regular audits.
How CPE Level 2 Helps:
CPE Level 2 creates a defined, controlled environment for CUI. Your sensitive data lives in a specific place with clear boundaries: making asset management simpler and more effective.
Mistake #7: Weak Incident Response Planning
The Problem:
Having an incident response plan isn't enough. You need to test it, update it, and train on it. Many suppliers create a plan once and forget about it: until something goes wrong.
Why It Hurts:
During an actual security incident, a dusty, untested plan leads to chaos. And chaos leads to compliance violations and data breaches.
The Fix:
Develop a comprehensive incident response plan aligned with CMMC requirements. Run tabletop exercises. Conduct full-scale drills. Update based on lessons learned. Make sure everyone knows their role.
How CPE Level 2 Helps:
CPE Level 2 includes incident response coverage as part of the solution. You're not building from zero: you're starting with a framework designed for CMMC success.
The Bottom Line: CMMC Compliance Doesn't Have to Be This Hard
Here's the truth: most compliance mistakes happen because organizations try to piece together solutions themselves. They end up with gaps, inconsistencies, and headaches.
CPE Level 2 was built specifically to solve this problem. It's a complete, holistic solution that covers every CMMC 2.0 Level 2 requirement and objective. No guesswork. No scrambling. No nasty audit surprises.
What you get with CPE Level 2:
- Full CMMC 2.0 Level 2 compliance coverage
- Audit readiness in as little as 4 weeks
- 900+ CPE-specific cybersecurity hardening steps
- Integrated backup, network segmentation, and vCISO sessions
- Next business day service and ongoing audit support
For small to medium defense suppliers, there's simply not a more comprehensive offering on the market.
Ready to Fix Your Compliance Gaps?
Stop making the same mistakes everyone else makes. Get compliant the right way.
Learn more about CPE Level 2 and see how Planet Security Inc. can get you audit-ready: fast.
Protecting CUI Protects the American Warfighter.
planetsecurity.net