Imagine one of your longest-standing clients reaching out with some great news: they’ve just landed a contract with the US Department of Defence. It’s a biggie, and they want you to handle a portion of the work. Amazing!
But then comes the caveat – you’ll need to be “CMMC compliant” before they can share any project details.
You’re left scratching your head. CMMC? Never heard of it. You start Googling, and before long you’re well and truly overwhelmed. It all seems way out of your depth. You’re just a family-run accounting firm from Yorkshire; this DoD stuff can’t possibly apply to you… can it?
For UK businesses, CMMC matters more than you think – even if government contracts aren’t currently on your radar. Let’s talk about why.
CMMC for UK Businesses: Who Needs to Be Compliant?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a US Department of Defence (DoD) framework that’s gaining recognition worldwide, including here in the UK. But who actually needs to comply?
In short: Any business that’s part of the defence supply chain handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This includes:
- Direct contractors to the US DoD
- Subcontractors working with primary DoD contractors
- UK businesses with US defence contracts or subcontracts
- Companies in the supply chain that handle sensitive but unclassified information
While this might seem limited, the ripple effect is substantial. Just as one client’s financial decisions can affect your entire portfolio, CMMC compliance requirements are spreading through global supply chains, including those in the UK.
Breaking Down CMMC Compliance Levels
If CMMC for UK businesses seems abstract, let’s think of it in terms more familiar to financial professionals.
As of April 2025, CMMC operates on a three-tiered system. If you tilt your head and squint a bit, they sort of resemble how financial services are structured.
Just as financial maturity evolves from basic budgeting to sophisticated wealth management, CMMC compliance requirements progress from fundamental safeguards to comprehensive security architecture:
- Level 1: Basic: This level includes 17 security controls focused on protecting Federal Contract Information (FCI). Think of it as maintaining a basic personal budget. You’re tracking expenses, avoiding obvious risks, and following fundamental best practices like enabling MFA on your Microsoft suite. It’s more than the average person might be doing to protect their finances, but still a far cry from ironclad safeguarding.
- Level 2: Advanced: Level 2 encompasses 110 practices designed to protect CUI, including all Level 1 requirements, plus additional safeguards. It’s somewhat akin to sophisticated personal financial planning – retirement accounts, investment diversification, and tax optimisation.
- Level 3: Expert: Level 3 adds 24 enhanced security practices focused on reducing the risk of Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Consider it the equivalent of institutional-grade financial management, with advanced hedging strategies, complex risk models, and proactive threat assessment.
Does Becoming CMMC Compliant Require an All-Out IT Overhaul?
Nope – and that’s a common CMMC mistake businesses make. Depending on how and where your organisation handles CUI, it’s likely that you’ll be able to create IT siloes for the systems that need to be CMMC compliant. Scope is a tricky part of CMMC compliance, but don’t let it intimidate you.
Think of this like segregating client accounts. Not every financial system in your firm needs the same level of security – you apply appropriate controls based on the sensitivity of the information involved.
Your trusted IT support in Yorkshire (aka the Singularitee team) can usually help you identify exactly which systems fall within your compliance scope, potentially saving you significant implementation costs.
Should I Implement CMMC Compliance Requirements Even If My Business Doesn’t Need to Be CMMC Compliant?
CMMCs are based on NIST 800-171 criteria, an internationally recognised cyber security framework. So, while it’s not necessary for every business to be CMMC compliant, it is a good idea for every business to implement some of the foundational measures – they’ll help protect you regardless of regulatory requirements.
Besides, if you ever do decide to bid on DoD government contracts (or become a subcontractor for a business that handles CUI), you’ll have less work to do when it comes to implementing cyber security policies for compliance. On that note…
Five CMMC-Compliant Practices Every Business Should Adopt
Even if full certification isn’t on your roadmap, these five CMMC practices should be part of every UK business’s security strategy:
1. Access Control
Limit system access to authorised users and processes. Just as you wouldn’t give everyone in your office access to client financial records, not everyone needs access to all digital resources.
2. Identification and Authentication
Verify the identities of users, processes, or devices before allowing access to your systems. This is the cyber equivalent of requiring proper ID before discussing sensitive client information.
3. Incident Response
Like having a clear process for handling financial discrepancies, you need protocols for cyber incidents. Establish procedures to detect, report, and respond to security incidents.
4. Security Assessment
Regularly evaluate your in-office and remote security controls to ensure they’re working as intended. Think of this as the cyber version of financial audits – essential for maintaining integrity.
5. System and Information Integrity
Just as you’d monitor regulatory changes in financial services to ensure ongoing compliance, it’s important to identify and manage information system flaws, monitor system security alerts, and implement security directives.
Streamline Your CMMC Journey with IT Support in Yorkshire
Implementing robust cyber security policies for compliance (or just for a stronger security posture) doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Working with experienced IT support in Yorkshire can make it straightforward.
Local IT partners who understand both the regulatory landscape and the unique challenges of Yorkshire businesses can provide:
- Gap assessments to identify your current compliance position
- Scoping guidance to minimise implementation costs
- Practical roadmaps for achieving desired security levels
- Ongoing management of security controls
Or guide you towards reputable professionals who can.
Ready to Get Started?
At Singularitee, we specialise in helping Yorkshire businesses implement practical, effective cyber security solutions that align with both regulatory requirements and business objectives. Whether you’re pursuing CMMC certification or simply want to enhance your security resilience, we’re here to help.
It all starts with a conversation. Let’s chat.
