PODCAST | Beyond the Horizon: Decoding CMMC—What You Need to Know Now to Stay Compliant and Competitive

After 15 years of development and delays, CMMC has transitioned from regulatory uncertainty to enforceable reality. This comprehensive compliance framework now carries the full weight of federal law, creating both significant challenges and substantial opportunities for organizations in the defense supply chain.

The numbers tell a compelling story: 80,000 companies need certification with only 337 qualified assessors available to handle the workload. Real assessments are underway, producing mixed results as companies navigate the rigorous requirements. While some organizations are discovering that compliance costs exceed their contract values, others are leveraging CMMC mastery to command premium rates and establish strong competitive positions.

In this episode of the Beyond The Horizon podcast, N‑able’s Lewis Pope and Prescott’s Mark Pardee provide essential insights into this transformation, examining real-world scenarios, the precision required in technical assessments, and why MSPs now shoulder responsibility for 50-60% of CMMC controls. Whether you’re an MSP supporting defense contractors or a company directly involved in federal contracting, understanding this shift is crucial for strategic planning.

Why This Episode Matters

This conversation provides critical insights for navigating one of the most significant regulatory changes in federal contracting. With implementation timelines accelerating, organizations need clear guidance on compliance requirements, strategic options, and business implications.

For MSPs, CMMC represents a fundamental shift in client relationships and service delivery models. Those who understand and adapt to these requirements early will be positioned to capture significant market opportunities. For defense contractors, compliance is becoming a competitive differentiator that affects contract eligibility and business viability.

The episode offers practical frameworks for decision-making, real-world examples of implementation challenges, and insights into the evolving compliance landscape that affects hundreds of thousands of organizations.

Download  CMMC: A Guide to the What, When, Why, and How – a comprehensive resource for understanding CMMC requirements and building your compliance strategy. Whether you’re just beginning to explore CMMC or refining your implementation approach, this guide provides the foundation for informed decision-making.

Key Areas Covered

Understanding CMMC’s Evolution

• The journey from concept to enforceable regulation
• Current enforcement mechanisms and compliance expectations
• Real-world case studies of assessment outcomes and business decisions

Strategic Implications for Businesses and IT Service Providers

• How compliance responsibilities shift to MSP
• Business model opportunities including premium service offerings
• The operational transformation from traditional IT support to compliance-focused delivery

Requirements and Implementation

• Detailed breakdown of CMMC Levels 1, 2, and 3
• The 320 assessment objectives and evidence requirements
• Common implementation challenges and how to avoid them

Making Strategic Decisions

• Evaluating MSP certification versus client scope inclusion
• Cost-benefit analysis frameworks for compliance investment
• Professional development opportunities in the growing compliance sector

N‑able has partnered with Prescott a trusted CMMC and NIST 800-171 compliance partner, helping organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) meet and sustain federal cybersecurity requirements with confidence. As a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO), Prescott specializes in guiding contractors through the complexities of DFARS, NIST SP 800-171, and the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Our experienced team delivers tailored gap assessments, remediation planning, and compliance readiness services to align each client’s environment with strict DoD standards. Prescott’s proven process supports organizations from initial scoping through final assessment, ensuring not just compliance—but resilience. We help clients build a sustainable cybersecurity program that supports both contract eligibility and long-term risk reduction.

Disclaimer: This podcast provides educational information about issues that may be relevant to information technology service providers. Nothing in the podcast should be construed as any recommendation or endorsement by N‑able, or as legal or any other advice. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the podcast does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by N‑able employees are those of the employees and do not necessarily reflect the view of N‑able or its officers and directors. The podcast may also contain forward-looking statements regarding future product plans, functionality, or development efforts that should not be interpreted as a commitment from N‑able related to any deliverables or timeframe. All content is based on information available at the time of recording, and N‑able has no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.