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Cybersecurity Resources & Blog

Plain-language guidance on cybersecurity grants, CMMC compliance, pen testing, employee training, and certifications for small businesses and defense contractors.

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CMMC Compliance

Cyber Hygiene When Nobody On Staff Owns IT

August 1, 2026 8 min read

No IT staff? Here is an ordered, plain-language starting point for cyber hygiene, plus how to read this week’s CMMC Level 2 news without panicking.

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CMMC Compliance

CMMC Is Paused. Small Contractors Still Need Help.

July 28, 2026 6 min read

The Department of War paused CMMC Phase 2, and the SBA backed the decision because small contractors were being squeezed out. Here is what changes.

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CMMC Compliance

Gap Assessment vs Vulnerability Scan: What Each Tells You

July 27, 2026 6 min read

A scan finds technical weaknesses. A gap assessment tells you whether your program meets a control set. Here is what each one can and cannot prove -- and why the CMMC Phase II pause is not a reason to stop.

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Grant Programs

Why Phishing Is the #1 Threat for Defense Industry Employees and How to Fight It

July 24, 2026 5 min read

Phishing is still the top breach vector -- and defense suppliers are prime targets. Here is how modern attacks work and how a funded training program builds the defense your filters cannot.

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CMMC Compliance

What DoD Construction Contractors Need to Know About CMMC in 2026

July 20, 2026 5 min read

CMMC applies to construction firms building on DoD sites -- and many are landing at Level 2 without realizing it. Here is what CUI looks like in construction and how to get your assessment funded.

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Cybersecurity Grants

Why Aerospace Parts Manufacturers Are Prime Ransomware Targets in 2026

July 17, 2026 5 min read

Ransomware groups including Qilin and LockBit are targeting aerospace parts suppliers in 2026. Here is why your shop is in the crosshairs and how a funded pen test helps you respond.

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Cybersecurity Grants

The True Cost of a Ransomware Attack on a US Small Manufacturing Business

July 13, 2026 5 min read

Manufacturing absorbed nearly one in five global ransomware attacks in Q1 2026. Here is what an attack actually costs a small shop and the single most cost-effective step to avoid one.

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CMMC Compliance

CMMC Rule Status: Phase 1 Self-Assessment Still Holds, C3PAO Certification Begins November 10, 2026

July 10, 2026 5 min read

No new CMMC rule changes this week. Phase 1 self-assessment still holds, but C3PAO Level 2 certification becomes mandatory November 10, 2026. Here is what to do.

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CMMC Compliance

Staffing Firms Supporting Defense Programs: Do You Need CMMC Compliance?

July 6, 2026 5 min read

Staffing agencies placing workers on defense programs may need CMMC compliance. Learn when it applies, which level you need, and how to fund your assessment.

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Grant Programs

Free Employee Cybersecurity Training for Federal Construction Contractors

July 3, 2026 4 min read

Federal construction contractors can get free employee cybersecurity training through a CGA grant. Phishing simulations, security awareness modules, and incident response basics at no cost.

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Grant Funding

State Cybersecurity Grants for Defense Manufacturers: What Is Available in Your State

June 29, 2026 3 min read

Most DIB manufacturers do not know state cybersecurity grants exist. This guide covers Michigan, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Georgia, and Virginia programs.

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CMMC Compliance

Your CMMC Gap Assessment Results Are In: Here Is What to Do Next

June 26, 2026 3 min read

Got your CMMC gap assessment results? Here is a clear, step-by-step guide to triaging findings, building your POA&M, funding remediation, and getting certified.

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CMMC Compliance

What Is CUI? A Plain-Language Guide for Manufacturers Who Handle Defense Data

June 22, 2026 3 min read

CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) determines whether you need CMMC Level 2. This plain-language guide explains what CUI is in a manufacturing context.

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CMMC Compliance

CMMC Subcontractor Guide: What Flow-Down Requirements Actually Mean for Your Business

June 19, 2026 3 min read

If you are a subcontractor in the defense supply chain, CMMC almost certainly applies to you. Learn what flow-down requirements mean and where to start.

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Grant Programs

We Paid for Your Pen Test: How the CGA Pen Testing Grant Works

June 15, 2026 3 min read

Cyber Grants Alliance funds professional penetration testing for qualifying DIB manufacturers at no cost. Learn how the grant works and how to apply.

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Grant Funding

How to Pay for CMMC Compliance: Grants, MEP Programs, and State Funding Options

June 12, 2026 3 min read

CMMC Level 2 certification typically costs $100,000 or more. Here is how to use CGA grants, MEP center programs, and state funding to cover it.

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CMMC Deadline

The November 2026 CMMC Deadline: What Small Manufacturers Need to Do Right Now

June 8, 2026 4 min read

CMMC Phase 2 takes effect November 10, 2026. With fewer than 1,000 contractors certified and C3PAO backlogs growing, here is the four-step action plan.

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CMMC Compliance

CMMC Level 1 vs. Level 2: Which One Applies to Your DoD Contract?

June 5, 2026 3 min read

A plain-language guide to the difference between CMMC Level 1 and Level 2, how to find out which applies to your contracts, and what to do next.

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CMMC Compliance

What Is a CMMC Gap Assessment and Can You Get One for Free?

June 1, 2026 3 min read

What a CMMC gap assessment is, why you need one before the November 2026 deadline, and how to get one fully funded through Cyber Grants Alliance.

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