We are on the Fast Track to Achieving Level 2 CMMC Certification, with our Internal Audit Scoring Reaching the Full 110 points Required. Paragon D&E is in the final stages, thanks to the hard work and commitment of our IT team.
The Big Picture:
Cyber threats targeting the defense sector are on the rise. CMMC compliance helps prevent data breaches, protect national security, and ensures only secure, reliable partners work with the DoD.
Benefits of CMMC Certification:
🔐 Prevents Cyberattacks
🛡️ Protects Contract Eligibility
📈 Builds Trust with Partners
💼 Demonstrates Cybersecurity Maturity
Paragon is Proud to be Leading the Charge in Cybersecurity — and We Are Almost There!
Why CMMC Matters ?
CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. It’s a new standard from the DoD that ensures companies like ours are doing everything we can to protect sensitive government data, specifically, what’s called Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). In plain terms: if you help build anything for the military, they want to make sure you keep information safe from cyber threats. It’s not just another government requirement. It’s about trust, accountability, and national security.
Without CMMC, companies risk losing contract eligibility. With CMMC, companies demonstrate strong cybersecurity practices, safeguard sensitive data and build trust with government partners.
If you’ve never heard of CMMC, don’t worry, most people haven’t.
But at Paragon D&E, it’s front and center. As we work toward our Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2, we’re preparing to meet the future of government contracting head-on. If your business works with the Department of Defense, or plans to, this is something you’ll want to understand. And fast.
CMMC, Digging Deeper
The government isn’t just looking for a box checked. They want real, proven security. That’s why CMMC requires a third-party audit, someone independent verifying that you’re doing what you say you are.
CMMC has three certification levels, each building on the last to match the sensitivity of the work a company does with the government:
- Level 1 is the most basic. It includes 17 cybersecurity practices and is self-assessed. It’s meant for companies that handle only Federal Contract Information (FCI), not sensitive or classified data.
- Level 2 is a big step up. It requires implementing 110 security controls from the NIST SP 800-171 framework and passing third-party assessment. This level is for companies, like us, that work with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) data that isn’t classified but still needs serious protection.
- Level 3 is the most advanced. It includes everything in Level 2 plus additional controls and enhanced monitoring. It’s designed for companies involved in the most critical national security work, often alongside classified contracts.
Why Should Anyone Care?
CMMC is quickly becoming the cost of entry for working on federal defense contracts. Without it, you won’t even be considered. With it, the door opens to new business opportunities that were previously out of reach.
At Paragon D&E, we view this as more than just compliance. It’s a strategic advantage. That’s why we’re anticipating being CMMC certified by late 2025, well ahead of the full rollout in 2026. We’re not just preparing; we’re positioning ourselves and our partners for continued success in the defense sector.
When Does This All Take Effect?
The change is imminent. According to a Department of Defense announcement, CMMC compliance will be mandatory for many DoD contracts by the end of October 2025. Businesses that do not comply will be left behind when full adoption is anticipated by October 2026.
We first took the initiative to pursue CMMC certification back in 2019, recognizing early on how critical cybersecurity would become in the defense industry. Fast forward to today, and we’re counting down the days until we are officially certified.
This journey has been a true team effort, spanning nearly six years of planning, investment, and continuous improvement. From upgrading our infrastructure and refining our internal processes, to training staff and implementing robust security protocols, every step has brought us closer to our goal.
At Paragon D&E, we didn’t wait for the mandate, we saw the value early and took action. Because for us, this isn’t just about meeting requirements, it’s about protecting our partners, strengthening our capabilities, and staying ahead in a competitive industry.
Our Commitment at Paragon D&E
Paragon D&E is committed to protecting the warfighter and understands the importance of safeguarding your information. We are heavily invested in our CMMC compliance program and have implemented all 110 NIST cybersecurity controls. Paragon will be going through a 3rd party CMMC assessment at the end of the summer and on track to be certified by late 2025. We are excited to assure you Paragon D&E will always be your partner of choice when it comes to Aerospace tooling.
We’re not just ticking boxes when it comes to security, we’re taking real action. CMMC is a huge challenge, but it’s also an opportunity to improve, to build trust, and to stand out as a partner who takes security just as seriously as the mission itself.
