Podcast
Sum IT Up: CMMC News Roundup
Hosted by Summit 7 · EN
It's difficult to keep up with all of the moving parts that make up the Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Program. It's even more difficult to keep up with the relevant bits and bites that influence CMMC. This weekly podcast sums up the news and developments relevant to CMMC; DFARS and other regulations; and NIST standards such as SP 800-171, SP 800-53, the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and others.
68episodes
Episodes
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The DoD's "Basic" Cybersecurity Isn't Basic at All
4d ago00:24:45Summary readyThe DoD says it's reducing cybersecurity burden on the Defense Industrial Base. At the same time, the first recommendation in the new "Brilliant at the Basics" campaign calls for phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication, a capability that goes well beyond today's NIST SP 800-171 requirements. In this episode we break down replay resistance vs. phishing resistance, explain why they are different security properties, and explore where phishing-resistant authentication fits into the NIST standards lifecycle. We also ask a simple question: If this is now considered "basic," why isn't it in the NIST control catalog yet? 800-63: https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/sp/800/63/b/4/final Brilliant at the Basics: https://dowcio.war.gov/BrilliantBasics/
SummaryThe DoD Said This Was "Out of Scope"... Now They're Asking About It
2w ago00:21:16Summary readyThe DoD's CMMC Reform Task Force wants public feedback on how to reduce cost, complexity, and compliance burdens. There's just one problem. Many of the questions in the new RFI focus on topics the DoD previously said were outside the scope of the CMMC program, including NIST requirements, CUI policy, DFARS, FedRAMP, and other regulations. In this episode, we walk through each RFI question, explain what's actually part of CMMC, and discuss what realistic reform could look like under the rulemaking process. The RFI: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/89ef9bfb0834473791e991c712698d94/view Out of Scope comments: https://youtu.be/cqNpO2_PWiw?si=jyt5QVF_-4PqMuKP
SummaryCMMC Phase 2 Is Suspended... So Why Is the DoD Still Assessing Contractors?
3w ago00:17:07Summary readyEveryone saw the headline that CMMC Phase 2 was suspended. Almost nobody read the part that says government-led assessments are still happening. In this episode we look at what the DoD actually said, how DIBCAC decides who gets assessed, why the LogZone False Claims Act case matters, and why today's approach looks surprisingly similar to the original CMMC 1.0 phased rollout. If you think the suspension means nobody is verifying cybersecurity anymore, you may want to read the Phase 2 suspension memo one more time. Phase 2 Suspension: https://youtu.be/TfdwAc5tdMA?si=H8Dtz6Z1UbG_aYpX LogZone FCA: https://youtu.be/T5wJYnQzWws?si=ME3p2C8Sx_jhXTGJ DFARS 7020: https://youtu.be/D4JLkfvB-Ws?si=rG-4enAdaj0InsfY DoD Critical Tech: https://www.cto.mil/osc/critical-technologies/ CIO Interview: https://defensescoop.com/2026/07/17/pentagon-task-force-to-review-cmmc-hits-the-ground-running/ Suspension Memo (PDF): https://dodcio.defense.gov/Portals/0/Documents/Library/CMMC-ReformMemo.pdf
SummaryCMMC Phase 2 Is Suspended... But Contractor Liability Just Went UP
4w ago00:23:35Summary readyMiss the CUI Hotline Telethon? Watch it on-demand: https://summit7.us/event/secure-the-dib-telethon The DoD has suspended the November 2026 transition to Phase 2 of CMMC implementation, but that doesn't mean cybersecurity requirements have been relaxed. In this episode, we explain what actually changed, what didn't, why Level 2 self-assessments now matter more than ever, and how contractors could expose themselves to significant False Claims Act liability if they misunderstand the news. We also discuss the 60-day CMMC program review, the DoD's Request for Information, and what defense contractors should focus on moving forward. Phase 2 Announcement: https://www.war.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4542329/forging-the-arsenal-of-freedom-department-of-war-suspends-cmmc-phase-ii-require/ Phase 2 Blog: https://summit7.us/blog/cmmc-phase-2-suspended-with-60-day-review-what-happens-next 32 CFR 170.16: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/section-170.16 32 CFR 170.22: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-A/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-170/subpart-D/section-170.22 False Claims Act: https://youtu.be/T5wJYnQzWws?si=pn8iwA7_8Ys_wvdq
SummaryLast Chance to Influence the FAR CUI Rule
Jul 900:17:16Summary readyRegister for Secure The DIB: https://summit7.us/event/secure-the-dib-telethon The public comment period for the proposed FAR CUI rule closes on July 23, making this your last opportunity to influence one of the biggest cybersecurity changes coming to federal contracting. Simply supporting or opposing the rule isn't enough. In this episode, we break down the Government's own guidance for writing effective public comments and explain the seven principles that make comments persuasive. You'll learn the common mistakes to avoid, how to build evidence-based arguments, and how to give regulators constructive recommendations they can actually use. Whether you're planning to comment on the FAR CUI rule or want to better understand how federal rulemaking works, this episode will help you make your comment count before the deadline. Register for Summit 7 Live: https://www.summit7.us/s7live FAR CUI Rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/06/23/2026-12559/federal-acquisition-regulation-revolutionary-federal-acquisition-regulation-overhaul-parts-1-2-4-33 GSA Comment Guidance: https://www.regulations.gov/commenting-guidance
SummaryThere Are Enough CMMC Assessors, Contractors Just Aren't Ready
Jul 200:10:24Summary readyAnother 279 companies achieved CMMC Level 2 certification in June 2026, bringing the total to 1,717 certified organizations. That's a record month and far ahead of DoD's original projections. But the data also shows something surprising: the industry still isn't using all of its available assessment capacity. In this episode, we break down the latest Cyber AB numbers, explain our assessment capacity methodology, and discuss why contractor readiness, not assessor availability, remains the biggest constraint on CMMC adoption. Topics covered: • June 2026 CMMC Level 2 certification numbers • Available CMMC assessment capacity • Why the assessor shortage narrative doesn't match the data • The connection between CMMC readiness and DFARS 252.204-7012 compliance • What these trends could mean for the rest of the phased rollout Have questions? Contact us: https://summit7.us/ Register for Secure The DIB: https://summit7.us/event/secure-the-dib-telethon Monthly Cyber AB Town Hall: https://cyberab.org/News-Events/Town-Halls/pager/7916/page/2
SummaryA Perfect SPRS Score Turned Into a $507K Settlement
Jun 2500:13:24Summary readyThe DOJ has announced its first cybersecurity False Claims Act settlement of 2026, and the details should get every defense contractor's attention. In this episode, we break down the LOGZONE settlement, the difference between DFARS 252.204-7012 and CMMC, how a perfect SPRS score became a DIBCAC assessment score of -170, and why this case may be a preview of additional enforcement actions still working their way through the system. Topics covered: • LOGZONE FCA settlement details • DFARS 252.204-7012, 7019, and 7020 • SPRS self-assessment scores • DIBCAC medium assessments • Why no whistleblower was required • What this means for defense contractors moving forward Settlement and source documents linked below. Register for Secure The DIB: http://summit7.us/event/secure-the-dib-telethon Register for Summit 7 Live: https://www.summit7.us/s7live DOJ Settlement: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/alabama-defense-contractor-agrees-pay-507144-resolve-false-claims-act-liability-relating DoD IG + DOJ (2023): https://youtu.be/_3GLX6ele_E?t=448 FCA pod w/ Alexander Canizares: https://youtu.be/Tga0krfIrEk?si=i6E2FuLY7QLNGmos FCA pod w/ Stephanie Siegmann: https://youtu.be/d1yweDy2wV4?si=drOwbWxBm9GAlh38 FCA w/ Bruce Judge: https://youtu.be/tqT_5yQBlOk?si=xgmqev-87KTKpxUJ
SummaryWhat 2,005 Votes Revealed About Why Organizations Struggle With CMMC
Jun 1800:20:47Summary readyRegister for Secure The DIB: https://www.summit7.us/secure-the-dib-telethon Over the last two months, we ran the CMMC Challenge Bracket. Eight matchups, 907 participants, 2,005 votes. The winner? Leadership Buy-In. But the final standings were only part of the story. In this episode, we break down the voting trends, coalition shifts, and comment analysis to understand what the community actually believes is holding organizations back from CMMC success.
SummaryWe Predicted 2026. Here's What We Got Right (and Wrong) About CMMC
Jun 1100:19:54Summary readyBack in January, we made seven predictions about where the CMMC ecosystem would be by the end of 2026. Now that we're halfway through the year, we're checking the scoreboard. In this episode: • Level 2 certification growth • False Claims Act enforcement trends • Funding and compliance assistance programs • The FAR CUI rule • CMMC 3.0 and NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3 • Early Level 3 activity • What the GAO report actually found Some predictions are looking strong. Others are too close to call. And at least one is trending in the wrong direction. Here's our mid-year reality check on CMMC in 2026. Register for Summit 7 Live: https://www.summit7.us/s7live 2026 Predictions (January): https://youtu.be/WxgGtKpF3_s?si=I9MfjmkBDojCRThv GAO Report podcast: https://youtu.be/U0VhiN3qpdE?si=lD-Pbl3vyfbIMPw7 NCODE for SMBs: https://www.summit7.us/blog/ncode-contract-award Assessment Capacity podcast: https://youtu.be/e_1FztgNCHM?si=PdpkkVk3SSa1V4-2 CIRCIA update: https://youtu.be/bvwnNSpDZgU?si=bS0ARRUfvvzLemmK
SummaryThe Cyber Rule Everyone Forgot About Just Came Back
Jun 400:22:42Summary readyRemember CIRCIA? The proposed rule would create mandatory cyber incident reporting requirements for more than 300,000 organizations across 16 critical infrastructure sectors, including the Defense Industrial Base. Now CISA is holding a new round of town halls to gather feedback before issuing a final rule. In this episode, we explain why CIRCIA isn't just another version of DFARS 252.204-7012, the seven biggest differences defense contractors need to understand, and why the upcoming town halls may be the DIB's best opportunity to influence the final rule. Registration links for the CIRCIA Town Halls are included below. Register for Summit 7 Live: https://www.summit7.us/s7live CIRCIA Town Halls: https://www.cisa.gov/topics/cyber-threats-and-advisories/information-sharing/cyber-incident-reporting-critical-infrastructure-act-2022-circia CIRCIA Proposed Rule Pod (2024): https://youtu.be/ngYSaO5fg5Y?si=VoVW54QvAzKe6r-r Proposed Rule: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/04/04/2024-06526/cyber-incident-reporting-for-critical-infrastructure-act-circia-reporting-requirements Congressional Research Service Report (PDF): https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R48025 CIRCIA Hearing: https://homeland.house.gov/hearing/surveying-circia-sector-perspectives-on-the-notice-of-proposed-rulemaking/
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