Third-party assessment firms are experiencing layoffs and contract cancellations following the Pentagon's 60-day pause of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification program. This suspension, intended for reassessment, has created uncertainty and financial strain for these organizations. Representatives from assessment firms pushed back on high cost estimates for certification, distinguishing implementation expenses from assessment fees. Despite the pause, experts advise small and medium-sized businesses to continue pursuing certification due to prime contractor demands. The situation highlights the complex financial and operational challenges faced by businesses in the defense industrial base.
Augusta, Georgia
https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2026/8/17/assessors-report-contract-cancellations-layoffs-after-cmmc-pause