Alabama · Southeastern US
Alabama cybersecurity grants for defense contractors
Alabama is one of the most defense-dense states in the Southeast, anchored by Redstone Arsenal. If you hold or pursue DoD work, a CMMC gap assessment shows exactly where you stand, and the Cyber Grants Alliance grant can cover it.
CMMC Phase 2 status: under DoD review. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party certification requirement in July 2026 pending a program review. Phase 1 self-assessment against NIST SP 800-171 remains mandatory now, and self-certified compliance carries more liability with third-party verification on hold.
Why it matters here
Where does Alabama's defense work come from?
Alabama's defense economy centers on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville and reaches across the state, creating significant contracting opportunities, and CMMC obligations, for local businesses.
Huntsville
Redstone Arsenal
The Army's missile defense and aviation hub, home to NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, the Missile Defense Agency, the FBI, and 75+ tenant organizations, with a 36,000-person daily workforce.
Montgomery
Maxwell Air Force Base
Air University's professional military education center, generating education-technology and administrative-system contracts across the region.
Mobile
Alabama Shipyard
US Navy repair and construction work, with contracts in shipboard systems, logistics, and maritime engineering.
Your local partner
Who is Alabama's CMMC and manufacturing partner?
The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) is Alabama's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. It provides technology adoption, cybersecurity readiness, and manufacturing-improvement services to small and mid-sized Alabama businesses.
Cybersecurity readiness
ATN offers NIST-based assessments that help identify the gaps relevant to CMMC Level 2 requirements.
Federal contracting support
ATN assists with SAM.gov registration and DoD subcontracting through the Alabama PTAC.
More resources
What other cybersecurity support can Alabama businesses use?
Beyond the grant, Alabama businesses can tap additional support through state programs and federal resources.
Alabama OIT
Coordinates statewide cybersecurity strategy and partners with CISA on critical-infrastructure protection for Alabama organizations.
CISA Region 4
Serves Alabama through CISA's Atlanta regional office, providing no-cost advisories and incident-response support.
Alabama PTAC
The Procurement Technical Assistance Center helps small businesses navigate federal contracting, from registration to subcontracting.
The grant
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Alabama?
Through the CMMC gap assessment grant, it is a $5,000 in-kind award, no cash changes hands. You receive the assessment itself, delivered by a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
Confirm you qualify
Open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the supply chain that hold or pursue DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment.
Get assessed against NIST 800-171
A certified partner reviews your current controls and produces a scored gap report showing what stands between you and CMMC Level 2.
Leave with a remediation plan
You receive a prioritized action list and the resources that can fund the fixes, so compliance becomes a budget line, not a guess.
Questions
Frequently asked questions — Alabama CMMC grants
Who qualifies for the CMMC gap assessment grant in Alabama?
The grant is open to U.S. defense contractors and manufacturers in the DoD supply chain that hold or are pursuing DoD contracts and have not yet completed a CMMC assessment. Alabama businesses supporting Redstone Arsenal, Maxwell Air Force Base, or Alabama Shipyard are typical candidates.
How much does a CMMC gap assessment cost in Alabama?
Through the Cyber Grants Alliance program, the assessment is delivered as a $5,000 in-kind grant, no cash award. You receive the assessment itself from a certified partner. 100 grants are available.
What is Alabama's MEP center?
The Alabama Technology Network (ATN) is Alabama's Manufacturing Extension Partnership center. It provides NIST-based cybersecurity readiness assessments and federal contracting support, including SAM.gov registration and DoD subcontracting help through the Alabama PTAC.
Is CMMC Level 2 enforcement still happening on November 10, 2026?
No. DoD suspended the CMMC Phase 2 third-party (C3PAO) certification requirement on July 13, 2026, pending a program review, so there is no confirmed enforcement date at this time. Phase 1 self-assessment against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls remains mandatory now, and self-certified SPRS scores carry more liability while third-party verification is paused. A gap assessment is still the essential first step.
Do subcontractors in Alabama need CMMC?
If your contract or a prime's contract involves Controlled Unclassified Information, CMMC requirements generally flow down to subcontractors that handle that information. A gap assessment is the fastest way to confirm what applies to you.
Ready when you are
Apply for your CMMC gap assessment grant
100 in-kind awards, $5,000 each. Confirm eligibility and submit in minutes.