Let's be real for a second. If you're a small or mid-sized defense contractor trying to get CMMC Level 2 compliant, you've probably had this thought: "We need serious security leadership, but we can't afford a full-time CISO."

You're not alone. In fact, most defense suppliers are in the exact same boat. The Department of Defense doesn't care if you have 15 employees or 1,500: the compliance requirements are the same. And those requirements demand the kind of strategic oversight that typically comes from a Chief Information Security Officer.

Here's the good news: you don't need to hire a $250,000+ executive to get executive-level security guidance. Fractional roles are changing the game, and Planet Security has built them directly into our CPE Level 2 solution.

The Reality Check: Why Most Defense Contractors Don't Have a CISO

Let's talk numbers. A full-time Chief Information Security Officer typically commands a salary of $250,000 or more per year: and that's before you factor in benefits, bonuses, and overhead. For a Fortune 500 company? No problem. For a machine shop in Ohio with 30 employees and a DoD subcontract? That's a non-starter.

But here's the catch: CMMC Level 2 compliance requires exactly the kind of strategic security thinking a CISO provides. You need someone who can:

  • Design and implement cybersecurity strategies aligned with your business goals
  • Conduct thorough risk assessments and manage ongoing mitigation
  • Ensure compliance with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC requirements
  • Establish policies, governance frameworks, and security procedures
  • Coordinate incident response and disaster recovery planning
  • Bridge the gap between technical teams and executive leadership

Without this expertise, you're flying blind. And flying blind in the defense industrial base is a recipe for losing contracts: or worse.

Planet Security's Cybersecurity Protected Enclave

Enter the Fractional CISO: Executive Expertise Without the Executive Price Tag

A fractional CISO (sometimes called a vCISO or virtual CISO) is exactly what it sounds like: a part-time or contract-based security executive who provides high-level cybersecurity leadership without the full-time commitment or cost.

Think of it like this: you get the same caliber of expertise that large defense primes have access to, but you only pay for what you actually need. It's strategic, it's cost-effective, and honestly? It just makes sense for small to mid-sized businesses.

Here's what a fractional CISO brings to the table:

  • Strategic security planning tailored to your specific risk profile
  • Compliance guidance for CMMC, NIST, DFARS, and other regulatory frameworks
  • Policy development that actually works for your organization
  • Board-level reporting and executive communication
  • Incident response coordination when things go sideways
  • Objective perspective that identifies blind spots your internal team might miss

The best part? You're not hiring a generalist consultant who reads from a script. You're getting ongoing, strategic security leadership from someone who understands the defense supply chain.

How Planet Security Builds Fractional Roles Into CPE Level 2

Here's where things get interesting. At Planet Security, we didn't just slap "vCISO services" onto our offering as an afterthought. We built fractional security and technology roles directly into our CPE Level 2 solution from the ground up.

When you deploy CPE Level 2, you're not just getting hardware and software. You're getting a complete ecosystem that includes:

  • vCISO services for strategic security leadership
  • MSP/MSSP support for day-to-day managed security operations
  • Security patching and updates handled automatically
  • Network segmentation configured for CUI protection
  • Backup and disaster recovery built in
  • Audit support when it's time for your C3PAO assessment

Starting at $1,299/month for up to 20 users with no up-front cost, you're getting the kind of comprehensive security coverage that would cost six figures to replicate internally.

Planet Security Inc. Data Center Professional

Why This Model Works for Defense Contractors

Let's break down why fractional security roles are particularly powerful for companies in the defense industrial base:

1. Flexibility When You Need It Most

Your security needs aren't static. Maybe you're ramping up for a new contract, going through an audit, or responding to an incident. A fractional CISO scales with your needs: you get more support when things heat up and can dial back during quieter periods.

2. Speed of Execution

Traditional hiring takes months. Background checks, interviews, negotiations, onboarding: by the time your new CISO is up to speed, you might have already missed a deadline. Fractional CISOs hit the ground running because they're already experts in the compliance frameworks you need.

3. No Single Point of Failure

When your entire security strategy lives in one person's head, you've got a problem. What happens when they take vacation? Get sick? Leave for another opportunity? With Planet Security's CPE Level 2, you're backed by an entire team: not just one individual.

4. Objective Outside Perspective

Internal teams develop blind spots. It's human nature. An external fractional CISO brings fresh eyes to your security posture, often identifying under-resourced areas and outdated assumptions that insiders have become accustomed to.

5. Cost Efficiency That Actually Works

Let's do the math. A full-time CISO at $250,000/year plus 30% for benefits and overhead runs you about $325,000 annually. Meanwhile, CPE Level 2 gives you vCISO services, managed security operations, compliant infrastructure, and audit support for a fraction of that cost.

Planet Security CMMC 2.0 Level 2 Readiness Program Graphic

Is This Right for Your Organization?

The fractional model isn't for everyone. But if any of the following apply to you, it's probably exactly what you need:

  • You handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and need CMMC Level 2 compliance
  • You have fewer than 1,000 employees and can't justify a full-time security executive
  • You're a defense subcontractor who needs to meet the same requirements as the primes
  • You're facing increasing cyber threats but want to avoid massive hiring costs
  • You need board-level security reporting and strategic alignment
  • You're looking for interim leadership while you figure out your long-term security strategy

If you checked even one of those boxes, fractional security roles should be on your radar.

The Bottom Line: Expert Guidance Without Breaking the Bank

Here's the deal. The DoD isn't lowering the bar on CMMC compliance. If anything, requirements are only getting stricter. But that doesn't mean you need to bankrupt your company trying to meet them.

Fractional security and technology roles give you access to the expertise you need at a price point that makes sense. And when those roles are built into a comprehensive solution like CPE Level 2, you're not just checking a compliance box: you're building a genuinely secure operation that can protect CUI and win contracts.

Planet Security has been helping defense suppliers navigate CMMC compliance for years. We understand the unique challenges that small and mid-sized contractors face, and we've built our solutions specifically to address them.

You don't need a massive budget to get massive expertise. You just need the right partner.

Ready to see how CPE Level 2 can bring fractional security leadership to your organization? Let's talk.

planetsecurity.net [QR CODE]
Scroll to Top