Let's be real: cybersecurity compliance feels like a never-ending chore list. If you're a defense supplier in 2026, you've probably got a sticky note (or ten) reminding you about CMMC, NIST controls, continuous monitoring, and a bunch of other acronyms that keep you up at night.
Here's the good news: you don't have to do it all yourself.
CPE Level 2 from Planet Security Inc. was built to handle the heavy lifting. Think of it as your cybersecurity assistant that never calls in sick, never forgets a task, and actually knows what it's doing.
Let's break down the 2026 cybersecurity to-do list for defense suppliers: and show you exactly how CPE Level 2 checks off each item.
The 2026 Cybersecurity To-Do List
1. Achieve CMMC Level 2 Compliance
The Chore: CMMC 2.0 Level 2 is now the baseline for any defense supplier handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). That means 110 security requirements and 320 objectives you need to meet. Miss one? You could lose your contracts.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
CPE Level 2 delivers 100% coverage of every single CMMC 2.0 Level 2 requirement and objective. Not 90%. Not "most of them." Every. Single. One.
No guesswork. No gaps. No sleepless nights wondering if you missed something.
2. Implement All 110 NIST SP 800-171r2 Controls
The Chore: CMMC Level 2 is built on NIST SP 800-171r2. That's 110 controls spanning access control, incident response, system integrity, and more. Each control has specific assessment objectives you need to document and prove.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
The enclave comes pre-configured with all 110 controls baked right in. CPE Level 2 isn't just compliant: it's built for compliance from the ground up. You don't implement controls; they're already there waiting for you.
3. Set Up Continuous Monitoring
The Chore: Gone are the days of "set it and forget it" security. The DoD now expects continuous monitoring that provides real-time visibility into your security posture. You need to detect threats as they happen, not weeks later.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
CPE Level 2 includes continuous CMMC technical compliance monitoring and continuous technical security monitoring. Version 4.0 (launching February 2026) adds global dynamic threat blacklisting and AI-powered threat detection with over 1,500 use cases.
Your security posture is monitored 24/7: automatically.
4. Protect CUI From Leaving Your Environment
The Chore: CUI is sensitive. It needs to stay protected within your environment. Cloud solutions? They introduce risk: data travels, outages happen, and you're trusting someone else's infrastructure.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
With CPE Level 2, CUI never leaves your enclave. Period. Your data stays on-premises, protected by integrated security management. No cloud dependency. No data traveling across the internet. No outage risk from a provider having a bad day.
Key advantages over cloud solutions:
- Faster transfer speeds
- No outage risk
- Strong insider threat resistance
- EMP-hardened options available
- Robust confidentiality, integrity, and availability
5. Segment Your Network
The Chore: Network segmentation is a core requirement. You need to separate your CUI environment from your regular business network. This limits blast radius if something goes wrong and keeps sensitive data isolated.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
CPE Level 2 includes integrated network segmentation right out of the box. Your CUI environment is isolated and protected without you having to architect complex network topologies yourself.
Learn more about our security reference architecture-enabled firewalls.
6. Create and Maintain a System Security Plan (SSP)
The Chore: Your SSP documents how your organization meets each security requirement. It's a living document that assessors will scrutinize. Writing one from scratch? That's weeks of work.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
CPE Level 2 comes with audit support and documentation assistance. We help you get your SSP right, so you're not scrambling before your assessment.
7. Develop an Incident Response Plan
The Chore: When (not if) something happens, you need a plan. Who do you call? What steps do you take? How do you report to the DoD? This needs to be documented and tested.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
Incident response is built into the CPE Level 2 framework. You get guidance, procedures, and support so you're not figuring it out during a crisis.
8. Implement Access Controls
The Chore: Who can access what? You need role-based access controls, multi-factor authentication, and audit trails showing who accessed CUI and when.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
Zero-trust methodology is at the core of CPE Level 2. Access controls are pre-configured and enforced automatically. Every access is verified. Every action is logged.
9. Back Up Your Data
The Chore: Backups aren't optional. You need reliable, secure backups of your CUI that can be restored quickly if disaster strikes.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
Integrated backup is included with CPE Level 2. No extra tools to buy. No separate systems to manage. Your data is protected and recoverable.
10. Get Audit-Ready
The Chore: CMMC assessments are coming. You need to prove your compliance to a certified third-party assessor (C3PAO). That means documentation, evidence, and demonstrated implementation of every requirement.
How CPE Level 2 Handles It:
CPE Level 2 gets you audit-ready in as little as 4 weeks. Not months. Not "sometime next year." Four weeks.
We provide vCISO sessions and audit support to make sure you're prepared and confident when assessment day arrives.
The Bottom Line: One Solution, Every Requirement
Here's what makes CPE Level 2 different from cobbling together a dozen different tools and hoping they work:
| Your To-Do Item | CPE Level 2 Solution |
|---|---|
| CMMC Level 2 Compliance | 100% requirement coverage |
| 110 NIST Controls | Pre-configured and ready |
| Continuous Monitoring | 24/7 automated monitoring |
| CUI Protection | Never leaves the enclave |
| Network Segmentation | Integrated and included |
| System Security Plan | Documentation support |
| Incident Response | Built-in framework |
| Access Controls | Zero-trust methodology |
| Data Backup | Integrated backup included |
| Audit Readiness | Ready in 4 weeks |
There simply isn't a more comprehensive offering on the market.
What's Included (No Hidden Costs)
With CPE Level 2, you get:
- ✅ Full CMMC Level 2 compliance coverage
- ✅ No extra hardware costs
- ✅ No extra licensing fees
- ✅ No surprise managed services charges
- ✅ Integrated backup
- ✅ Network segmentation
- ✅ vCISO sessions
- ✅ Audit support
- ✅ Next business day service
Starting at $1,099 monthly for up to 20 users.
Stop Doing Cybersecurity the Hard Way
You became a defense supplier to support the warfighter: not to become a cybersecurity expert. Protecting CUI protects the American warfighter, and CPE Level 2 makes that protection achievable without turning your business upside down.
Ready to check off your entire cybersecurity to-do list?
Contact us today at CMMC@PLANETSECURITY.NET or call 702-508-2338.
planetsecurity.net |