Why IT Companies Are Missing Out on CMMC Revenue

by Jacob Acker | Mar 13, 2025 | Compliance, Cybersecurity Maturity Model Compliance

The demand for CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) compliance is growing rapidly as defense contractors and suppliers scramble to meet the Department of Defense (DoD) requirements. Yet, many IT service providers—especially MSPs (Managed Service Providers) and MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers)—are missing out on a major revenue stream because they haven’t developed the capability to offer CMMC compliance services.

The Growing Market for CMMC Compliance

CMMC compliance is now a must-have for companies working with the DoD. Thousands of businesses in the defense supply chain must meet CMMC requirements, and they need IT providers who can help them navigate the complex process.

The issue? Many IT companies don’t have the knowledge, resources, or personnel to deliver these compliance services. Instead of capturing this lucrative market, they are referring clients elsewhere—or worse, losing business to competitors who have adapted.

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Why IT Companies Are Missing Out

1. Lack of In-House CMMC Expertise

CMMC compliance isn’t just about cybersecurity—it’s about understanding a structured compliance framework. Many IT service providers are well-versed in cybersecurity best practices but lack knowledge of CMMC’s specific controls, documentation requirements, and assessment processes.

Without an in-house compliance expert, IT companies struggle to provide CMMC assessments, gap analyses, or readiness plans.
Building a CMMC compliance practice from scratch requires training, hiring, and certification costs—resources many IT providers are hesitant to allocate.

2. Losing Clients Who Need Compliance Solutions

Companies in the DoD supply chain need both IT services and CMMC compliance. If your IT company doesn’t provide CMMC services, your competitors will—and once a client finds an all-in-one provider, they may move all of their business there, including standard IT support.

IT firms that fail to offer CMMC compliance alongside cybersecurity services risk losing long-term clients.
Competitors who bundle compliance with IT services are securing multi-year contracts while others are left behind.

3. Assuming CMMC is Too Complicated to Offer

Many IT companies assume that offering CMMC services is too complex or that they must become a C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization) to enter the market. This misconception leads to IT providers avoiding the opportunity altogether.

The reality? You don’t need to become a C3PAO to generate revenue from CMMC.
IT companies can partner with a specialized CMMC compliance provider like ICS Data (i.e. Cyber Harbor) to offer CMMC services without the need to build an in-house compliance team.

How IT Companies Can Capture CMMC Revenue

If your IT company isn’t offering CMMC solutions, you’re leaving money on the table. The good news? You don’t need to develop a CMMC practice from scratch.

1. Partner with a CMMC Compliance Provider

Instead of turning away CMMC opportunities, team up with a dedicated compliance provider. A partner like Cyber Harbor can handle CMMC assessments, documentation, and certification prep under your brand, allowing you to offer CMMC services without the overhead.

2. Offer CMMC Compliance as a Service (CaaS)

By bundling CMMC compliance with your IT services, you can offer a recurring revenue model where clients pay for continuous monitoring, policy updates, and compliance management.

3. Target the Right Clients

IT companies should proactively market CMMC services to:

Existing clients in the DoD supply chain who must meet CMMC requirements.
New prospects in manufacturing, aerospace, and government contracting who need compliance solutions.

Don’t Let CMMC Revenue Slip Away

CMMC compliance is a high-growth market, and IT providers that adapt will win bigger contracts, strengthen client relationships, and grow revenue.

If you don’t have the internal expertise to offer CMMC, ICS Data (i.e. Cyber Harbor) can help. Partner with us and start monetizing CMMC compliance today—without the complexity.

Contact us to learn how to add CMMC compliance to your service offerings today!

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Multi-Factor Authentication Best Practices and Step-by-Step Implementation

by Jacob Acker | Jan 25, 2025 | Multi-Factor Authentication

Best Practices and Step-by-Step Implementation

MFA enhances security by requiring multiple factors to verify user identity, such as passwords, hardware keys, or biometrics. By blocking 99.9% of automated attacks, MFA safeguards sensitive data, ensures compliance with standards like GDPR and HIPAA, and protects against threats like phishing and brute-force attacks.

Best Practices for MFA

Enable MFA Everywhere: Start with critical accounts (e.g., admin credentials) and gradually expand to all users.
Choose Secure Methods: Use hardware keys (e.g., YubiKey) for phishing-resistant authentication.
Integrate with SSO: Combine MFA with single sign-on to simplify logins and enhance user experience.
Educate Users: Provide clear training and ongoing support to reduce friction during adoption.
Monitor and Adapt: Regularly review access logs and update policies to counter evolving threats.

Secure your systems—implement MFA today!

How to Implement MFA

1. For Windows Logins:

Use Windows Hello for Business:
- Enable biometrics like fingerprints or facial recognition in Windows Settings > Accounts > Sign-in Options.
- Ensure devices have compatible hardware, such as fingerprint scanners or IR cameras.
Integrate with Azure Active Directory (Azure AD):
- Go to the Azure AD Admin Center and configure MFA policies under Security > Multi-Factor Authentication.
- Apply conditional access rules to enforce MFA for specific users or devices.
Add Hardware Keys:
- Deploy FIDO2-compliant devices like YubiKey for phishing-resistant logins.
- Set up hardware keys in Windows Hello settings for seamless integration.

2. For Cloud Services:

Microsoft 365:
- Enable MFA in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center and configure conditional access policies via Azure AD.
Google Workspace:
- In the Admin Console, navigate to Security > Authentication and enable 2-Step Verification.
- Choose between app-based tokens, SMS codes, or hardware keys for additional layers of security.
AWS:
- Use the IAM Console to enable MFA for user accounts, selecting virtual tokens or hardware devices for authentication.

3. For Single Sign-On (SSO):

Centralize authentication using SSO providers like Okta, Ping Identity, or OneLogin.
Pair SSO with MFA by configuring SSO portals to require MFA during login.
Use Azure AD to integrate SSO across cloud services and enforce MFA seamlessly.

MFA Options

Hardware Keys (e.g., YubiKey): Offer the highest level of security, resistant to phishing and easy to use with Windows Hello and cloud services.
Touch Devices: Hardware tokens with touch functionality provide secure and user-friendly verification.
Biometrics: Fast and convenient options like fingerprints or facial recognition offer strong security but may raise privacy concerns.

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Top 5 Cybersecurity Tips for West Michigan Businesses

by Jacob Acker | Feb 6, 2024 | Cyberattacks, Backups, Cybersecurity, Cybersecurity Insurance, Cybersecurity Training, Multi-Factor Authentication, Security Services, Vulnerability Scanning

Our top five tips for your safety…

If you own or work for a small-to-medium sized business in West Michigan, you need to read this article.

It shows you our top 5 cybersecurity tips.

…and you’re going to want to understand what they are and why they’re important for your own peace of mind.

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) enhances account security by requiring users to verify their identity using multiple methods
Verification methods include passwords, fingerprints, or one-time codes sent to mobile devices
Enabling MFA can greatly decrease the risk of unauthorized access, even if login details are compromised
We recommend that Michigan businesses implement MFA, particularly for critical systems and sensitive accounts

2. Implement Vulnerability Scanning and Management

Regular vulnerability scans are crucial for finding weaknesses in network and software
However, scanning alone isn’t sufficient
Implement a comprehensive vulnerability management system (we can help!)
Go beyond identification to proactive management and resolution
Continuous monitoring and addressing vulnerabilities help stay ahead of cyber threats
Prevent potential breaches before they happen

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3. Prioritize Cybersecurity Training and Awareness

Employees are a major vulnerability in organizations
Human errors like clicking on malicious (bad) links or falling for phishing scams can lead to cyber attacks
To reduce this risk, we stress the importance of cybersecurity training for all employees
Training educates staff about common threats, data security best practices, and recognizing suspicious activity
Empowering employees turns them into the first line of defense

4. Implement Immutable Backups

Data backup is crucial, but having backups alone might not be enough against advanced cyber threats
We suggest using immutable backups, stored on a computer inaccessible via the network (we refer to this as “air-gapped”)
This ensures that if your network is compromised, your backups stay secure and intact
It’s essential to store backups in multiple locations, including local and cloud storage, for redundancy and accessibility during emergencies

5. Invest in Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance is vital for reducing the financial impact of cyber attacks
It covers expenses like legal fees, notification costs, and damages to third parties resulting from data breaches
Small businesses can transfer some risk to the insurance provider by investing in cyber insurance
This provides peace of mind and financial protection in case of a breach

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