Guide # CMMC 2.0 for Wisconsin Manufacturers: A Plain-English Guide What CMMC 2.0 means for Wisconsin machine shops, fabricators and suppliers in the defense supply chain: levels, what is required, where to start and how long it takes. By the Wisconsin Tech Shop team · Updated October 31, 2026 **Short answer:** CMMC is the Defense Department's cybersecurity requirement for its suppliers, and it began phasing into contracts in late 2025. If you only handle basic contract information, you will typically need Level 1 (basic safeguards with a yearly self-assessment). If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information, such as many defense drawings and specs, you will typically need Level 2, which follows the security requirements in NIST SP 800-171. Start by finding exactly where that information lives. ## The levels in brief | Level | Who it is for | What it involves | | --- | --- | --- | | Level 1 | Suppliers handling Federal Contract Information | Basic safeguards, annual self-assessment | | Level 2 | Suppliers handling Controlled Unclassified Information | NIST SP 800-171 requirements, self-assessment or third-party assessment depending on the contract | | Level 3 | A small number of the most sensitive programs | Additional requirements, government assessment | ## Where to start - **Find the controlled information.** Which drawings, specs and emails are covered, and where do they live today? - **Shrink the scope.** Keep covered information in as few systems as possible, sometimes a dedicated enclave. - **Run a gap assessment** against the required practices. - **Close the big gaps first:** multi-factor sign-in, access control, endpoint protection, logging and backups. - **Document it:** a system security plan and a plan of action for anything still open. ## How long it takes Small shops with a focused scope can often get ready in a few months. Larger or more spread-out environments take longer, which is why starting early protects your contracts. We help Wisconsin suppliers get ready. See [CMMC 2.0 compliance for defense suppliers](https://wisconsintechshop.com/cybersecurity/cmmc-compliance/). ## Frequently asked questions ### Does CMMC apply to subcontractors? Yes. Requirements flow down the supply chain to subcontractors who handle covered information. ### Can we use Microsoft 365 for controlled information? Covered information has specific requirements for cloud services. Many suppliers use government-grade cloud offerings or a separate enclave. A gap assessment will tell you what fits your situation. ### What happens if we are not ready? You may not be eligible for contracts that require a CMMC level, so prime contractors may start asking suppliers for their status well before a contract is awarded. ## Related services - [CMMC 2.0 Compliance for Defense Suppliers](https://wisconsintechshop.com/cybersecurity/cmmc-compliance/): Keep winning defense work: we help Wisconsin manufacturers and suppliers understand CMMC, close the gaps and get ready for self-assessment or certification. (From $1,500) - [Cybersecurity Risk Assessment](https://wisconsintechshop.com/cybersecurity/cybersecurity-assessment/): A clear picture of your real security risks, ranked by what matters most, with a plain-English plan and price to fix them. (From $500) - [Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Rollout](https://wisconsintechshop.com/cybersecurity/mfa-rollout/): The single best defense against stolen passwords: multi-factor sign-in on email, banking, remote access and key apps, rolled out without chaos. (From $250) - [Endpoint Protection & EDR Setup](https://wisconsintechshop.com/cybersecurity/endpoint-protection/): Modern protection on every computer and server that stops ransomware and suspicious behavior, not just known viruses, with alerts someone actually reads. (From $300) ## Tell us what you need Get a free, no-pressure quote from a Wisconsin development team. Tell us a little about your business and we'll reply within one business day with next steps, rough pricing and honest advice. - Big projects and small ones are all welcome - Fixed-price quotes, no surprise invoices - You own your code, data and accounts - A client portal to track progress, invoices and payments - Rooted in Wisconsin, serving businesses nationwide --- Source: https://wisconsintechshop.com/guides/cmmc-guide-for-wisconsin-manufacturers/ Contact: hello@wisconsintechshop.com · https://wisconsintechshop.com/contact/