by Scott Jack
Content Contributor, E-N Computers
7+ years experience in healthcare IT and tech support.
Updated April 7, 2026
As you may be aware, companies that want work from the Department of Defense must now meet stricter cybersecurity requirements under CMMC 2.0.
CMMC is no longer theoretical—requirements began appearing in DoD solicitations in late 2025, and will continue phasing into contracts over the next several years.
Many companies are asking:
- Is CMMC compliance worth it?
- Do we actually need to be compliant?
- How expensive is it really?
Here’s the short answer: most small businesses will need to significantly increase their IT and compliance budget, often by 50-100%, to meet CMMC requirements.
We’ll explain why it costs so much, and whether it actually makes sense for your business.
E-N Computers is a Virginia-based IT managed services provider supporting defense contractors nationwide. Two of our veteran engineers are CMMC Registered Practitioners with The Cyber AB. ENC is a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO). We help small and mid-sized contractors navigate CMMC readiness every day.
QUICK ANSWER:
Is CMMC compliance worth the cost?
Most small businesses will need to significantly increase their IT and compliance budget to meet CMMC requirements.
- If you don’t handle defense contracts, we don’t recommend pursuing certification.
- If you depend on DoD contracts, CMMC is not optional. It will be required to win and maintain contracts.
One of the biggest drivers of that increase is not obvious at first:
A major driver of that cost is your cloud environment decision (Commercial vs GCC vs GCC High), which can significantly impact both licensing and implementation costs.
What is the value of CMMC certification?
In November 2021, the Department of Defense announced CMMC 2.0 to align it with existing standards like NIST SP 800-171. As of 2026, CMMC 2.0 is in the final stages of rulemaking and is actively being included in new DoD contracts.
CMMC certification demonstrates your organization:
- Implements required cybersecurity controls
- Can protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
- Operates security as an ongoing process—not a one-time project
With increasing cyber threats targeting the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), the DoD is enforcing accountability across all contractors—not just primes.
Unlike earlier years, contractors are now seeing real consequences for non-compliance, including lost bids, delayed awards, and increased scrutiny from primes.
Do you need to be CMMC certified?
Whether you should pursue CMMC depends on your business model.
- If you do not handle defense contracts, certification is likely unnecessary.
- If you plan to pursue or maintain DoD work, CMMC will be required.
The level of certification depends on the type of information you handle.
The three levels of CMMC 2.0
Level One
Applies to companies handling Federal Contract Information (FCI).
- 15 basic security controls
- Annual self-assessment
Level 1 remains relatively low-cost and achievable with basic IT security practices.
Level Two
Applies to companies handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
- 110 controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171
- Most contractors fall into this category
- Requires:
- Third-party assessment every 3 years (for most)
- Annual self-affirmation
Level 2 is where costs increase significantly due to tooling, documentation, and ongoing operational requirements—not just initial setup.
Level Three
Applies to high-priority contractors handling sensitive CUI.
- Based on NIST SP 800-172
- Government-led assessments
Still limited to a small subset of contractors and not relevant to most small businesses.
How much does it cost to get certified?
There are two major cost categories:
- IT and compliance program costs
- Assessment (audit) costs
IT budget
If you already follow strong security practices, Level 1 may be achievable with minimal changes.
However, most companies targeting Level 2 will see significant increases.
Based on current 2025-2026 projects, organizations should expect:
- 50–100% increase in IT/security spend
- Additional one-time implementation costs ($30K–$100K+)
- Ongoing compliance overhead (10–20% increase in IT operations)
Real-world example (small contractor):
A 20–25 user defense contractor implementing CMMC Level 2 with GCC High can expect:
- ~$25K/year in licensing
- $35K–$55K migration and implementation
- ~$45K compliance documentation and preparation
Total first-year investment: ~$100K–$120K
This is where the “50–100% increase in IT budget” (or more) becomes very real for small businesses.
The three major cost drivers are:
- Consulting and compliance support
More frequent engagement is required (monthly or weekly).
- Security tools and platforms
Examples include:
- Multi-factor authentication
- Endpoint detection and response
- Logging/SIEM
- Encryption
- Access control systems
Cloud environments are now a major cost driver—not just a technical decision. Many contractors must move from commercial Microsoft 365 to GCC or GCC High depending on the type of data they handle.
- GCC typically adds ~10–15% over commercial licensing
- GCC High typically adds 40–70% and may be required for ITAR or certain CUI
For example, in the scenario above, licensing alone accounts for ~$25,000/year, making cloud decisions one of the largest ongoing cost drivers.
Learn more: What is Microsoft 365 GCC High and do I need it?
- Internal time and operational effort
Compliance requires:
- Documentation (SSP, policies)
- Continuous monitoring
- Staff training
- Audit preparation
Most organizations underestimate this cost—compliance is an ongoing operational function, not a one-time project.
Audit fee
The cost for a Level 2 third-party assessment is typically $30,000–$60,000+ per environment, based on current industry estimates.
Pricing continues to evolve as the CMMC ecosystem matures, so organizations should confirm current rates directly with a certified C3PAO before budgeting.
Pricing variability disclaimer
Actual costs vary significantly based on:
- Organization size
- Existing cybersecurity maturity
- Whether a dedicated CUI enclave is used
- Cloud environment (Commercial vs GCC vs GCC High)
- Complexity of integrations and workflows
Additional real-world cost risks
Many organizations underestimate the cost of getting CMMC wrong:
- Rebuilding environments after failed audits
- Emergency migrations (often 2–3× planned cost)
- Lost contracts or delayed awards
- Prime contractor requirements forcing upgrades (e.g., GCC High)
Roughly 15–25% of organizations end up reworking their environment within 1–2 years due to poor initial decisions.
Learn more about CMMC compliance
To get a complete picture of CMMC 2.0, check out our Ultimate Guide to CMMC. We delve into more detail about what CMMC is and how to prepare for it.
If you are thinking about trying to meet the requirements on your own, please remember:
Most Level 2 contractors require both technical expertise and compliance guidance. Projects without experienced support frequently stall or fail assessments. E-N Computers is already helping clients:
- Define scope (including CUI enclaves)
- Implement required controls
- Prepare documentation and evidence
- Navigate assessments
CMMC is worth the cost only if defense contracting is part of your business strategy.
- If DoD work is not important → avoid the investment
- If DoD work is core to your revenue or growth → CMMC is the cost of doing business
The real decision is not whether to invest—
It’s how to meet requirements without overspending, overbuilding, or creating compliance gaps that cost you later.
The videos linked below are examples of how we use two tools to implement important security measures like least privilege and user authentication. If you would like to discuss specifics about how you can prepare for CMMC, please schedule a free CMMC strategy session with a certified CMMC practitioner with nearly 30 years experience in IT. In just 30 minutes, we will go over what your next steps should be to quickly move toward certification.
WATCH: CMMC Compliance – Securing shared user accounts with DUO
WATCH: CMMC Compliance – Least privilege made simple with AutoElevate
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Related articles:
- Are you looking for CMMC Consulting Services for Your Small Business?
- If you want to learn about Gap Analysis:
- CMMC controls, FCI and CUI
- CMMC compliance deadlines: Key dates and what they mean
- How long does CMMC compliance really take?
- If you’re looking for CMMC tools and training:
- If you’re looking for a CMMC consultant or Registered Practitioner Organization:
- If you’re looking for a CMMC assessor:
- If you’re looking for information about CMMC that is targeted toward smaller businesses:
