Let's be real for a second. If you're running a small or mid-sized defense contracting shop, you probably don't have a full-time Chief Information Security Officer sitting in a corner office. You might not even have a dedicated IT team beyond "Dave who's pretty good with computers."
And yet, here comes the Department of Defense telling you that you need to meet CMMC 2.0 Level 2 requirements to keep handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). That's 110 security controls. Documented policies. Continuous monitoring. Incident response plans. The works.
How exactly are you supposed to pull that off without hiring an army of security professionals?
Here's the good news: You don't have to. When you implement CPE Level 2, you're not just getting hardware and software. You're getting world-class security expertise baked right in.
The Staffing Problem Nobody Talks About
Here's a number that'll make your head spin: the average salary for a CISO in the United States is somewhere between $200,000 and $350,000 per year. That's before benefits, bonuses, and the inevitable headhunters trying to poach them every six months.
For a lot of defense suppliers: especially those with 10, 20, or 50 employees: that kind of salary simply isn't in the budget. And it's not just the CISO role. You'd ideally want:
- Security analysts monitoring your systems
- Compliance specialists keeping documentation current
- IT administrators managing your infrastructure
- Incident responders ready when something goes sideways
Add it all up, and you're looking at hundreds of thousands of dollars annually just to staff up properly for CMMC compliance.
Most small and medium defense contractors are forced to make a tough choice: hire one generalist who's stretched thin, or hope nothing bad happens.
Neither option is great.
Enter Fractional Security Roles
This is where fractional security roles come into play, and honestly, it's one of the smartest trends in the industry right now.
The concept is simple: instead of hiring a full-time CISO (or security team), you share access to senior security professionals who work across multiple organizations. You get their expertise when you need it, without paying for a full-time seat.
Think of it like having a world-class attorney on retainer. You're not paying them to sit in your office 40 hours a week. But when you need them? They're there. Fully qualified. Fully capable. Ready to handle whatever comes up.
With CPE Level 2, this fractional model is built directly into the solution. You're not just buying a box of equipment and a software license. You're buying into an entire ecosystem of security expertise.
What's Actually Included with CPE Level 2?
Let's break down what you're really getting when it comes to the human expertise side of CPE Level 2:
Virtual CISO (vCISO) Services
This is the big one. A vCISO provides executive-level security leadership without the executive-level price tag. Your vCISO will:
- Develop and maintain your security strategy aligned with CMMC requirements
- Advise on risk management decisions so you're making informed choices
- Interface with auditors and assessors during your C3PAO assessment
- Keep you informed on emerging threats and regulatory changes
Having a vCISO in your corner means you're never flying blind on security decisions. You have an expert on speed dial.
Managed Security Services (MSP/MSSP)
Your CPE Level 2 package includes full managed services. That means:
- 24/7 monitoring of your enclave environment
- Security patching and updates handled automatically
- Backup management so your data is always protected
- Incident response when something needs immediate attention
You don't need to hire a night shift. You don't need to train someone on patch management. It's all covered.
Audit Support
CMMC assessments can be stressful. Having professionals who've been through dozens of audits on your side makes a massive difference. Your team will help you:
- Prepare documentation before the assessor arrives
- Walk through evidence collection so nothing gets missed
- Address assessor questions with confidence and accuracy
The Math Makes Sense
Let's run some quick numbers.
Option A: Build Your Own Team
| Role | Annual Cost (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Full-time CISO | $250,000 |
| Security Analyst | $85,000 |
| Compliance Specialist | $75,000 |
| IT Administrator | $70,000 |
| Total | $480,000/year |
And that's before tools, training, turnover costs, and benefits.
Option B: CPE Level 2
CPE Level 2 starts at $1,299/month for up to 20 users. That's $15,588 per year: with vCISO services, managed security, hardware, software, and audit support all included.
You're looking at roughly 3% of the cost of building an internal team, and you're getting expertise that would be nearly impossible to replicate in-house.
The value proposition here is undeniable.
Why Fractional Beats Full-Time (For Most Defense Suppliers)
Let's be honest: if you're Lockheed Martin or Raytheon, you absolutely need a full internal security operation. But if you're a machine shop with 30 employees making components for defense contracts? Fractional is the way to go.
Here's why:
1. You Get Depth of Experience
A fractional vCISO working with Planet Security has likely supported dozens of defense contractors through CMMC compliance. They've seen every edge case, every weird configuration, every auditor curveball. That experience is invaluable.
Compare that to hiring a single CISO who might be going through their first CMMC assessment right alongside you. Who would you rather have in your corner?
2. No Gaps in Coverage
When your one IT person takes a vacation or gets sick, who's watching the shop? With managed services built into CPE Level 2, there's always someone monitoring your environment. No gaps. No "we'll deal with it Monday."
3. Scalability Without Headaches
Win a big contract and need to add users? Easy. Slow season and want to scale back? No problem. You're not locked into headcount decisions that take months to adjust.
4. Focus on What You Do Best
You're in the defense supply chain because you're great at manufacturing, engineering, or whatever your core competency is. You shouldn't have to become a cybersecurity company just to keep your contracts.
Let the security experts handle security. You handle what you're best at.
Getting Started is Faster Than You Think
One of the biggest concerns we hear is: "This sounds great, but how long until we're actually compliant?"
With CPE Level 2, the answer is four weeks. That's not a typo.
In just one month, you can go from "we need to figure out CMMC" to "we're audit-ready with a verified SPRS score of 110."
The fractional security team handles the heavy lifting:
- Week 1: Client onboarding and CMMC training
- Week 2: Operational security rollout
- Week 3: CPE server installation and configuration
- Week 4: Verification and documentation finalization
By the end of the month, you're not just compliant on paper. You're operationally secure with experts backing you up.
The Bottom Line
CMMC compliance doesn't have to mean hiring a small army of security professionals. With CPE Level 2, you get fractional access to world-class security expertise: vCISO services, managed security operations, and audit support: all bundled into a solution that costs a fraction of building an internal team.
You get the experts. You skip the six-figure salaries. You stay focused on your business.
That's not just a hidden perk. That's a game-changer for small and medium defense suppliers.
Ready to put expert security pros on your speed dial? Learn more about CPE Level 2 and see how we can get you audit-ready in four weeks.
| planetsecurity.net | [QR CODE] |
|---|