Challenge

A mid-sized defense contractor was awarded new work that required handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), but lacked the documentation and controls required under NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 2. The organization had no formal System Security Plan (SSP), no defined Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), and limited visibility into their current compliance posture. Leadership needed a clear path forward to meet requirements and reduce risk of contract impact.

Approach

Cleared Systems conducted a structured NIST 800-171 gap assessment to evaluate the organization’s existing controls and identify deficiencies. We developed a comprehensive SSP outlining how each control was implemented, along with a POA&M to track remediation efforts. Our team provided guidance on access controls, data handling procedures, and policy development while supporting SPRS scoring and evidence collection. Throughout the process, we worked directly with leadership to ensure alignment between technical controls and compliance requirements.

Outcome

The organization gained a clear understanding of its compliance gaps and a prioritized roadmap to address them. With a fully developed SSP, actionable POA&M, and improved SPRS score, the contractor was positioned for CMMC readiness and better prepared for future assessments. Most importantly, they reduced compliance risk and strengthened their ability to securely handle CUI in support of DoD contracts.