With the Phase 2 Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) deadline arriving Nov. 10, 2026, defense contractors that haven’t started preparing face a shrinking window to get certified before third-party assessments become mandatory. The most recent State of the DIB Report, conducted by Merrill Research, found that only 1% of defense contractors felt fully prepared for CMMC assessments, and 69% rated achieving and maintaining compliance at 7 out of 10 or higher in difficulty.

Now entering its fifth year, CyberSheath’s free Defense Contractor Cybersecurity Compliance Training program is designed to help contractors cut through the complexity and accelerate their path to certification. Now open for registration through July 17, the program walks contractors through the compliance process using CyberSheath’s AIM methodology across three intensive courses.

Participants work through the three phases that determine compliance success:

• White Belt — Assess: Evaluating your current security posture and identifying compliance gaps
• Blue Belt — Implement: Building and deploying the security controls required for certification
• Black Belt — Manage: Maintaining ongoing compliance and staying assessment-ready

Master the Assess, Implement, and Manage phases to earn your status as a compliance ninja. Participants who complete all three courses will be recognized on the CMMC CON Ninja Wall of Fame at CMMC CON 2026, Sept. 23–24.

This year's program also features a special session led by Fernando Machado, Managing Principal and Chief Information Security Officer at Cybersec Investments and one of the industry's most experienced CMMC assessors, who will provide practical guidance on the assessment lifecycle, evidence calibration, common pitfalls contractors should avoid, and best practices for engaging with assessors. Courses launch on July 20, with participants earning belts by completing practical assessments and exercises.

"We are seeing a growing divide between organizations that started preparing 12 to 18 months ago and those that are just beginning now," said Emil Sayegh, CEO of CyberSheath. "Companies that start late often underestimate the time required to scope controlled unclassified information, migrate to GCC High, remediate findings, and prepare evidence for assessment. The good news is that it is not too late, but the window is narrowing. We are reopening our free training program to help organizations get certified faster, with less risk, less complexity, and lower overall cost."

Registration for both CMMC CON 2026 and the Defense Contractor Cybersecurity Compliance Training program is now open. Organizations interested in participating are encouraged to register early, as the Phase 2 deadline continues to drive increased demand for CMMC education, readiness services, and assessment preparation.

About CyberSheath
Established in 2012, CyberSheath is one of the most experienced and trusted IT security services partners for the U.S. defense industrial base. From CMMC compliance to strategic security planning to managed security services, CyberSheath offers a comprehensive suite of offerings tailored to clients’ information security and regulatory compliance needs. Learn more at cybersheath.com.

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