Written By Gerson Pacheco
If you’re a DoD contractor, you already know the CMMC certification race is on. Many organizations want to push preparation aside for “later,” but delaying creates serious risks. With deadlines approaching and competition increasing, waiting to begin is like showing up for a marathon without training. You may not just fall behind; you may never make it to the starting line. The number of assessors is limited, demand is growing, and moving early gives you a major advantage.
Why the CMMC Certification Race Is Heating Up
The pressure to achieve certification grows every day as the DoD tightens cybersecurity expectations for anyone handling CUI. More contracts require CMMC, and without certification, you lose opportunities that competitors will quickly take. Waiting puts you in a crowded pack of contractors trying to prepare at the same time.
Every company is chasing the same goal, and those who start early create a lead that latecomers struggle to overcome. The contractors preparing now secure better timelines, clearer strategies, and more predictable budgets.
For background directly from the DoD, you can review this public resource:
https://www.acq.osd.mil/cmmc/
The Assessor Shortage Makes Delaying Dangerous
One of the biggest reasons to act now is the limited number of certified CMMC assessors. These professionals perform your audit and sign off on compliance. There are not enough of them to match the surge in demand. Contractors who wait often find themselves stuck behind long scheduling delays.
Some organizations already report that assessor availability is booked months in advance. Beginning early helps you secure a spot long before demand becomes overwhelming.
Why Early Preparation Creates an Advantage
Starting now gives your team time to build a plan. CMMC requirements cannot be completed in a rush. If your IT staff already manages daily operations, layering CMMC on top of existing responsibilities becomes stressful and expensive when attempted under tight deadlines.
Preparing early allows you to run a gap assessment, identify weaknesses, organize your CUI environment, and prioritize fixes. It spreads the workload across manageable phases rather than forcing everything into a last-minute scramble. Rushing increases cost, raises the risk of audit failures, and puts your contracts at risk.
For internal help, you can review our CMMC Resource Center on our site.
Certification Isn’t the Finish Line
Getting certified is only the beginning of the CMMC certification race. Compliance requires continuous monitoring, ongoing system updates, and regular staff training. Falling behind after certification weakens your security posture and opens the door to breaches that threaten your standing in the Defense Industrial Base.
Staying compliant is like maintaining conditioning after a race. You can’t stop and expect to remain secure. Strong processes, updated documentation, and consistent patching keep your environment prepared year-round.
How to Start Your CMMC Certification Race
Begin with a gap assessment to see where your organization stands today. Identify which CMMC level applies to your contracts. Map your CUI environment and document how information flows through your systems.
If your team is already stretched thin, a managed service provider familiar with CMMC can help you prepare without overwhelming your staff. Taking action now gives you a huge advantage in the race.
Don’t be the contractor sprinting at the last minute. Start early, move step by step, and position your organization to reach certification with confidence and momentum.