Winning a defense contract is a big achievement. However, keeping it, or going after more, means dealing with the complex world of federal cybersecurity compliance.
For emerging contractors, the process can feel overwhelming. You’re trying to grow your business, meet tight deadlines, and now you’re expected to implement frameworks like NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, and possibly even pursue an Authority to Operate (ATO).
At Black Rock Engineering & Technology, we help new and growing defense contractors take control of their compliance journey, without getting buried in jargon, guesswork, or bureaucracy.
Here’s how we streamline the process, step by step.
1. We Start with Where You Are
Most of our clients come to us unsure of what they need. Some know they need CMMC Level 2. Others are responding to DFARS clauses in a subcontract. Some just got asked for a System Security Plan (SSP) and don’t know where to start.
We begin with a readiness assessment tailored to your contract, environment, and risk level. You’ll get clarity fast. What’s required, what you already have, and what’s missing.
No pressure. No panic. Just answers.
2. We Build You a Clear Compliance Roadmap
Once we understand your current state, we build a custom roadmap that outlines:
- Precisely which controls you need
- What documents or systems are required
- The order in which to do it (so you don’t waste time or money)
- How long should it take
- What will it cost to implement
Think of it as your compliance GPS. Whether you’re aiming for NIST 800-171 alignment, a CMMC audit, or future ATO approval, we map out the fastest route to get you there.
3. We Write the Documentation You Need
Most contractors stumble when it comes to documentation. This is where Black Rock shines.
We help you create (or clean up) the core compliance documents federal reviewers expect:
- System Security Plan (SSP)
- Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
- Incident Response Plan
- Access Control and Media Protection policies
- Change management, audit logging, and more
You won’t get a giant template dump. You’ll get tailored, audit-ready documents built around
your systems, not generic boilerplate.
4. We Guide Implementation with Your Team or Ours
Compliance isn’t just paperwork. It’s an action. We help you put the proper controls in place:
- Secure configurations for laptops, cloud services, and internal networks.
- User training for phishing, password hygiene, and media handling.
- Multi-factor authentication, logging, and encryption.
- Backup and recovery systems aligned with your risk level.
Whether your IT team leads the work or we do it for you, we stay involved to ensure nothing gets dropped.
5. We Prepare You for What’s Next
Compliance isn’t a one-and-done. You’ll need to:
- Submit your SPRS score
- Prepare for future CMMC Level 2 assessments
- Maintain your documentation
- Keep users trained and systems patched.
We offer ongoing support and monitoring to help you stay compliant, reduce risk, and avoid fire drills when contract officers come knocking.
Why It Works for Emerging Contractors
Most defense contractors aren’t starting from a mature cybersecurity program. You’re juggling growth, hiring, and real-world delivery deadlines. You don’t need fluff or fear.
You need:
- A clear plan
- Lean, adequate controls
- Just enough help. not too much
- Partners who speak both security and government contracting
That’s what we do at Black Rock.
Final Thought
Compliance isn’t just a checklist. It’s a competitive edge. If your business can demonstrate strong cybersecurity practices, you’ll win more contracts, build trust with primes, and stand out in a crowded market.
Whether you’re just entering the defense space or trying to grow, we’ll help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and compliance.
Want to know what your compliance roadmap would look like?
