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Defense Supply Chain Manufacturer
 Case Study

Enabling CMMC Readiness for a Defense Supply Chain Manufacturer

Guiding a defense supply-chain manufacturer toward CMMC readiness by scoping CUI environments, identifying compliance gaps, and coordinating MSP support.

The Challenge

As a manufacturer supporting the defense industrial base, the client was required to achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) to continue producing components for Department of Defense programs. While the organization had established manufacturing and quality controls, cybersecurity and compliance requirements, particularly around the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), introduced new operational and technical complexity.

The manufacturer relied on a combination of on-premises systems, production networks, and outsourced IT services that were not originally designed to meet CMMC requirements. Leadership needed a clear, defensible path to CMMC readiness that would not disrupt production operations or create unnecessary certification risk.

The Fellsway Approach

Fellsway partnered with executive leadership to provide CMMC readiness support throughout the process.

Our approach focused on practical readiness, risk reduction, and sustainable compliance:

  • CUI Scoping and Manufacturing Environment Definition
    Fellsway worked with engineering, operations, and IT teams to identify where CUI was created, processed, or stored, defining a defensible system boundary that balanced compliance with manufacturing realities.
  • CMMC Readiness and Gap Assessment
    Fellsway evaluated the manufacturer’s current cybersecurity posture against applicable CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 requirements, identifying gaps and prioritizing remediation activities.
  • MSP Identification and Enablement
    Recognizing the importance of compliant operational support, Fellsway assisted the client in identifying a certified Managed Service Provider (MSP) capable of meeting CMMC-related requirements. Fellsway supported alignment between the client and the MSP to ensure roles, responsibilities, and control ownership were clearly defined.
  • Remediation Planning and Governance Support
    Fellsway supported the development of a phased remediation roadmap, aligning technical controls, policies, and operational processes to CMMC expectations without disrupting production schedules.

The Results

With Fellsway’s guidance, the manufacturer made meaningful progress toward CMMC readiness:

  • Clear understanding of CMMC scope and requirements specific to manufacturing environments.
  • Reduced compliance risk through effective CUI scoping and control alignment.
  • Increased confidence in MSP support for ongoing cybersecurity operations.
  • A structured, sustainable approach to preparing for CMMC certification.

As the CIO shared:

“Fellsway brought clarity to a complex CMMC requirement while respecting the realities of our manufacturing environment. Their guidance on scoping, readiness, and identifying the right MSP gave us confidence that we are building a sustainable compliance model without disrupting operations.”

The Takeaway

For manufacturers in the defense supply chain, CMMC readiness must align with both cybersecurity requirements and production realities.

Fellsway helps manufacturing organizations prepare for CMMC certification by delivering practical readiness guidance and connecting clients with trusted partners, enabling compliant, resilient operations across the defense industrial base.