Cybersecurity for Defense Contractors

Companies supporting the Department of Defense operate in one of the most scrutinized and high-stakes sectors in the world. Whether you're machining parts for aerospace platforms, developing mission-critical software, or supporting classified operations through subcontracted services, you're expected to maintain a cybersecurity posture that aligns with national security interests.

At Gray Beard Cybersecurity, we work with organizations across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) to help them meet, and maintain, the technical, procedural, and regulatory standards expected of modern contractors. We focus on cybersecurity, compliance, and IT operations so you can focus on the work that supports the warfighter.

We don't just bring frameworks, we bring operational awareness.

Defense contracting is rarely straightforward. You may be managing a legacy IT environment while bidding on new contracts that require CMMC Level 2. You might be navigating DFARS flowdowns from a prime who's asking for documentation you've never had to produce before. And chances are, you're doing all of this while operating on a fixed-cost contract with razor-thin margins and shifting government deadlines.

We understand that reality. That's why we focus on aligning cybersecurity and compliance with the practical needs of your business, not just idealized standards.

• Helping small-to-midsize contractors build their first set of formal security policies and procedures
• Assisting manufacturers with segregated enclaves to protect CUI without disrupting legacy ERP and production systems
• Supporting software developers and engineering teams involved in SBIR/STTR projects, where early compliance is critical to contract continuity
• Guiding subcontractors through SPRS scoring, policy documentation, and basic hygiene necessary to meet CMMC Level 1
• Designing and managing secure enclaves for organizations needing to isolate and protect CUI while keeping day-to-day IT operations intact

We build scalable, defensible programs that help our clients retain eligibility for contracts and subcontracts without creating unnecessary overhead.

We specialize in guiding clients through:

• CMMC 2.0 Level 1 & Level 2 requirements, including all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls
• System Security Plans (SSPs), POA&Ms, and policy development
• SPR Score calculation and submission to SPRS
• DFARS 252.204-7012, -7019, -7020, and -7021 compliance
• ITAR awareness and data handling practices
• Audit preparation, including readiness assessments and evidence collection

Whether you're preparing for a C3PAO audit or simply trying to understand what your prime is asking for, we help translate compliance into clear, actionable steps.

For many small and mid-sized contractors, cybersecurity and compliance don't exist in isolation. They're intertwined with day-to-day IT operations.

That's why our managed IT services are designed with compliance in mind. From patching and backups to endpoint management and access control, every piece of our support aligns with the expectations of CMMC and NIST frameworks.

We also offer purpose-built environments like our CMMC Enclave, a FedRAMP-aligned, pre-configured secure environment that allows clients to handle CUI without needing to overhaul their legacy infrastructure. It's an ideal solution for contractors who need to isolate and protect sensitive workflows without starting from scratch.

• Aerospace & defense manufacturers
• Research & development teams with federal funding
• Software firms supporting DoD programs
• Professional services firms with access to sensitive data
• Facilities handling ITAR-regulated projects or classified support work

Whether you're a direct prime or deep in the supply chain, we help you remain a reliable and trusted part of the defense ecosystem.

Our role doesn't end once the documentation is delivered. We provide ongoing support to help you maintain your compliance posture, respond to evolving requirements, and prepare for future audits.

Gray Beard Cybersecurity offers defense contractors a rare combination: technical depth, regulatory fluency, and an understanding of how compliance impacts your actual business operations, from bidding through delivery.

We're not here to sell you tools. We're here to help you build a defensible, sustainable security program, one that supports your growth, protects your contracts, and aligns with the mission you serve.