Let's be real for a second. If you're running a small defense contracting shop, maybe 5, 10, or 20 people, you didn't get into this business to become a cybersecurity expert. You got into it because you're great at what you do, whether that's precision manufacturing, engineering services, or supplying critical components to the DoD.

But here's the thing: CMMC 2.0 Level 2 compliance isn't optional anymore. And for small teams, trying to tackle 110 security requirements and 320 objectives can feel like being handed a second full-time job that nobody asked for.

That's exactly why the "just works" philosophy behind CPE Level 2 is such a game-changer for small defense contractors.

The Reality Check: Small Teams Can't Afford the Traditional Compliance Path

Here's what the traditional path to CMMC 2.0 Level 2 compliance looks like:

  • Hiring consultants who charge anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000+ just to assess your gaps
  • Endless meetings with IT providers trying to piece together a solution
  • Buying hardware you don't fully understand
  • Managing software licenses that multiply faster than rabbits
  • Training your team on complex security protocols
  • Documenting everything in System Security Plans that rival War and Peace in length
  • Hoping you didn't miss something when the C3PAO assessor shows up

For a company with 200 employees and a dedicated IT department? Maybe manageable. For a shop with 8 people where the owner also handles HR, sales, and occasionally sweeps the floor? Absolutely brutal.

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What "Just Works" Actually Means

When we say CPE Level 2 "just works," we're not throwing around marketing fluff. We're talking about a fundamental shift in how small defense contractors approach compliance.

"Just works" means:

  • You don't need to become a cybersecurity expert to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
  • You don't need a room full of consultants telling you what's wrong without fixing it
  • You don't need weekly meetings about firewall configurations and access control policies
  • You don't need to track POA&Ms (Plans of Action and Milestones) because there aren't any gaps to track
  • You plug it in, and it works. Period.

This isn't about dumbing down security. It's about engineering complexity out of the equation so you can focus on what you're actually good at, running your business and serving your defense contracts.

The Small Team Advantage Nobody Talks About

Here's something interesting: small defense contractors actually have a massive advantage when it comes to implementing a solution like CPE Level 2.

Why? Because you can move fast.

Large organizations have bureaucracy. They have procurement processes that take 6 months. They have competing departments with different priorities. They have legacy systems that "absolutely cannot be touched" for reasons nobody remembers.

Small teams? You can make a decision on Monday and be compliant by the end of the month.

With CPE Level 2, we're talking about audit readiness in as little as 4 weeks. Not 4 months. Not "sometime next year when we get around to it." Four weeks.

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What's Actually Included (Because Details Matter)

Let's get specific because vague promises don't help anyone. When you implement CPE Level 2, here's what "just works" right out of the box:

Complete CMMC 2.0 Level 2 Coverage:

  • All 110 requirements? Covered.
  • All 320 objectives? Covered.
  • Documentation for assessors? Included.

Infrastructure That's Actually Managed:

  • Integrated backup systems
  • Network segmentation (so your CUI stays separate from general business operations)
  • Security monitoring and threat detection
  • Next business day service support

The Stuff That Usually Costs Extra (But Doesn't Here):

  • Hardware? Included.
  • Licensing? Included.
  • Managed services? Included.
  • vCISO sessions? Included.
  • Audit support? You guessed it, included.

Starting at $1,099 monthly for up to 20 users. No surprise fees. No "oh, you wanted THAT feature? That's extra."

Why "Managed" Beats "DIY" Every Single Time

Some small business owners have that independent streak. "I can figure this out myself. How hard can it be?"

Look, we respect the hustle. But here's the math that nobody wants to do:

The DIY approach:

  • 200+ hours of research and implementation (conservatively)
  • $30,000-$50,000 in hardware and software
  • Ongoing maintenance that steals 10-15 hours per month from productive work
  • The constant anxiety of wondering if you missed something that'll tank your assessment

The CPE Level 2 approach:

  • 4 weeks to audit readiness
  • Predictable monthly cost
  • 900+ CPE-specific cybersecurity features already configured
  • Someone else worrying about updates, patches, and emerging threats

For small teams, time is literally money. Every hour your most valuable people spend wrestling with firewall rules is an hour they're not spending on billable work or growing the business.

Planet Security's Cybersecurity Protected Enclave Level 2

The "No Consultants Needed" Promise

We need to talk about the consultant industrial complex that's grown up around CMMC compliance.

There are some excellent consultants out there. But there's also an entire ecosystem of people who will happily take your money to tell you everything that's wrong with your security posture: and then charge you more to help fix it.

With CPE Level 2, you're not paying someone to identify problems. You're getting a solution that already solves them.

No gap assessments needed. No remediation roadmaps. No "Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3" implementation plans that stretch into next year.

The enclave is the solution. It's pre-configured. It's pre-hardened. It's ready.

Real Talk: What About Cloud Solutions?

Fair question. There are cloud-based approaches to CMMC compliance. Some of them are even pretty good.

But here's what CPE Level 2 offers that cloud solutions struggle to match:

  • Faster transfer speeds for large files (critical for engineering and manufacturing firms)
  • No outage risk from third-party cloud providers having a bad day
  • CUI never leaves the enclave: it stays on your premises, under your control
  • Stronger insider threat resistance with integrated security management
  • EMP-hardened options for organizations that need maximum resilience

For small defense contractors handling sensitive data, keeping that data local while still meeting every compliance requirement is a significant advantage.

The Bottom Line for Small Defense Contractors

You have contracts to fulfill. You have customers counting on you. You have employees depending on their paychecks. You have a business to run.

Compliance shouldn't be a second job. It should be infrastructure that works in the background, keeps you protected, and passes assessments without drama.

That's what the "just works" philosophy delivers.

CPE Level 2 gives small defense contractors:

  • Full CMMC 2.0 Level 2 compliance
  • A verified SPRS score of 110
  • Audit readiness in 4 weeks
  • Zero POA&Ms to track
  • Predictable costs with everything included
  • The freedom to focus on what you actually do best

No endless meetings. No consultant carousel. No piecing together 15 different tools and hoping they play nice together.

It just works. And for small teams trying to compete in the defense industrial base, that makes all the difference.

Ready to see how CPE Level 2 can work for your organization? Learn more about our complete solution or reach out to our team directly.

Protecting CUI Protects the American Warfighter.

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