Cybersecurity Grants for Tier 2/3 Subcontractors
Professional-grade cybersecurity assessments, training, and certification — delivered as in-kind grants to qualifying Tier 2/3 Subcontractors organizations. Apply today to secure your place for $5,000 pen testing, CMMC or GSA gap assessments, employee training, and CyberCert certification.
Why Tier 2/3 Subcontractors Need Cybersecurity Grants
Defense contractors — whether primes, subcontractors, or program-support vendors — are top-tier targets for nation-state adversaries seeking access to controlled information, weapon systems data, and federal supply chains.
CMMC Level 2 enforcement is here. Contractors handling CUI must demonstrate compliance with NIST SP 800-171 to remain eligible for DoD awards. A single failed audit or publicly disclosed breach can mean lost contracts, lost clearances, and lost reputation.
Defense contractors of every size operate under unique pressure: adversaries want their data, primes demand compliance flow-down, and the DoD is actively enforcing CMMC and DFARS obligations. The cost of a cyber incident for a defense contractor is measured not just in recovery dollars, but in contract eligibility, clearance status, and the ability to compete for future DoD programs.
Cyber Grants Alliance partners with industry sponsors to make professional cybersecurity services accessible to Tier 2/3 Subcontractors through five in-kind grant programs — covering penetration testing, compliance assessments, employee training, and official certification. Learn more about our mission, browse grant programs, or see the state-level support available in your area.
Cybersecurity Challenges Facing Tier 2/3 Subcontractors
The Defense Contractors sector faces layered cybersecurity risks that cut across operations, compliance, and workforce security. Cyber Grants Alliance grants are designed to address each of these challenges head-on.
CMMC Level 2 Readiness
- Completing SSPs that accurately scope CUI environments
- Closing the 110 NIST SP 800-171 control gaps
- Maintaining evidence and continuous monitoring
- Selecting and preparing for a C3PAO assessment
Protection of CUI & Controlled Technical Data
- Encryption at rest and in transit (FIPS 140-2/3)
- Tightly controlled access and least-privilege enforcement
- Strong DLP controls on email and endpoints
- Secure collaboration tooling for CUI workloads
Advanced Persistent Threat Defense
- Behavioral detection beyond signature-based AV
- Threat hunting across endpoints, network, and cloud
- Segmentation of program networks from corporate IT
- Integration with DIB CS Program for threat intel
Personnel & Clearance Management
- Onboarding/offboarding with clearance implications
- Insider threat programs aligned with NISPOM/32 CFR 117
- Continuous evaluation of cleared personnel access
- Social-engineering awareness for cleared staff
Incident Reporting & Response
- 72-hour reporting to DIBNet under DFARS 252.204-7012
- Preserved forensic imaging and artifacts for DoD review
- Coordination with DCSA, FBI, and contracting officers
- Lessons-learned integration into the security program
Supply-Chain Risk Management
- Flow-down to subcontractors of DFARS/CMMC obligations
- Vendor cyber risk assessments and monitoring
- Counterfeit-part and SBOM awareness in hardware supply
- SCRM plans aligned with NIST SP 800-161
Tier 2/3 Subcontractors — By the Numbers
Common Cybersecurity Risks in the Defense Contractors Sector
Every Tier 2/3 Subcontractors organization we work with faces some combination of these threats. Our grants give you the resources to find, fix, and defend against them.
- Advanced persistent threats (APTs) and state-sponsored intrusions
- Insider exfiltration of CUI and controlled technical data
- CMMC Level 2 audit gaps (policies, SSPs, POA&Ms, evidence)
- Unmanaged laptops, remote workers, and BYOD in scoped environments
- Legacy program-support systems without MFA or logging
- Flow-down compliance failures from upstream primes
Compliance Frameworks That Apply to Tier 2/3 Subcontractors
The regulatory and compliance landscape for Tier 2/3 Subcontractors is complex and evolving. Here are the frameworks most commonly referenced in our engagements — click through for official documentation from the relevant authorities.
- NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3↗
- CMMC Program (DoD CIO)↗
- CMMC Final Rule (32 CFR 170)↗
- DFARS 252.204-7012↗
- DIB Cybersecurity Program (DIBNet)↗
- Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency↗
Additional resources: CISA Small Business Cybersecurity, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Grants Available for Tier 2/3 Subcontractors
Every grant below is open to qualifying Tier 2/3 Subcontractors organizations. Each is delivered in-kind by a partner — no cash changes hands — with Cyber Grants Alliance coordinating eligibility and matching.
Pen Testing Grant
A complete security assessment package that detects vulnerabilities before attackers do — planning, testing, reporting, remediation guidance, and post-engagement consultation.
- Reconnaissance & scanning
- Exploitation & reporting phases
- Executive summary report
- Remediation guidance
CMMC Gap Assessment Grant
A comprehensive CMMC / NIST SP 800-171 gap assessment. Evaluates your organization against all 110 controls, identifies compliance gaps, and gives you a clear picture of where you stand.
- All 110 NIST 800-171 controls
- 14 control families assessed
- Gap identification & severity
- Prioritized findings
GSA Gap Assessment Grant
NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3 readiness for GSA schedule contractors. All 97 controls evaluated across 17 control families, with focus on the 9 GSA showstopper controls. Opens June 1st, 2026.
- 97 NIST 800-171 Rev 3 controls
- 17 control families
- 9 GSA showstopper focus
- Detailed findings report
Employees Cyber Training Grant
Annual security awareness and phishing-simulation program for your team — the single highest-ROI control for most small and mid-sized organizations.
- Security training modules
- Phishing simulations
- Incident response training
- Performance metrics tracking
CyberCert Grant (Silver / Gold)
An affordable, structured certification pathway — demonstrate your cybersecurity maturity with a recognized credential valued by customers, insurers, and regulators.
- Guided self-assessment
- Remediation support
- Official certification
- Insurance-ready documentation
How the Grant Process Works
From application to delivery, we've designed the grant process to fit the way Tier 2/3 Subcontractors actually operate — minimal paperwork, fast decisions, and real work by real sponsors.
- Apply Online. Complete a short grant application. Eligibility is based on organization size, industry, and cybersecurity needs.
- Eligibility Review. Our team reviews your application, verifies eligibility, and matches you with the appropriate sponsor partner.
- Sponsor Engagement. The sponsoring firm reaches out directly to schedule the assessment, training, or certification engagement.
- Delivery & Results. You receive the in-kind service, a clear findings or completion report, and guidance on next steps — all at no cost to your organization.
Have questions? See our FAQ or contact us directly.
Related Defense Contractors Industries
Other Defense Contractors organizations we also serve. Cybersecurity risks and grant eligibility tend to be similar across the sector.
Ready to protect your Tier 2/3 Subcontractors business?
Apply today for in-kind cybersecurity grants designed for organizations like yours. Most applications take less than 5 minutes to complete.