CMMC Self-Attestation Is No Longer a Low-Risk Guess

Why You Should Choose Professional Preparation Over Self-Attestation

Many defense contractors are still treating CMMC as a paperwork project. This approach is becoming increasingly dangerous.

Recent Developments in Cybersecurity Compliance

The Department of Justice recently announced more than $6.8 billion in False Claims Act settlements and judgments for fiscal year 2025. The DOJ continues to pursue contractors that allegedly misrepresent cybersecurity compliance.

One recent case involved a precision machining subcontractor that agreed to pay $421,234 to resolve allegations tied to inadequate cybersecurity for DoD-related drawings.

The Implications of Non-Compliance

The message is clear: cybersecurity promises made to the government, prime contractors, or in SPRS are no longer just IT statements. They can become contract and enforcement issues.

The Real Danger

The real danger is not merely discovering gaps in your CMMC program. The bigger danger is claiming compliance before you can prove it.

Key Questions to Consider Before Self-Attesting

Before your company self-attests, updates an SPRS score, or signs a prime contractor flowdown, leadership should be able to answer the following questions:

• Can we prove where CUI is stored?

• Can we prove who has access to it?

• Can we prove each required control is implemented?

• Do our policies match our actual configurations?

• Is our POA&M realistic, current, and defensible?

How Cohort Shield Can Help

Cohort Shield helps defense contractors move from assumption-based compliance to evidence-backed readiness. We help identify scope, map gaps, organize artifacts, and prepare a defensible compliance story before you make claims you may later have to support.

Final Reminder

Before you self-attest, make sure your evidence can carry the weight of your certification.