Your Roadmap to CMMC Success: DataSure24’s 12-Month Readiness Program

Your Roadmap to CMMC Success: DataSure24's 12-Month Readiness Program

The clock is ticking for defense contractors. With CMMC requirements becoming mandatory in DoD contracts, the question isn’t whether you need to achieve compliance—it’s how quickly and efficiently you can get there.

Many organizations look at CMMC’s 110 practices (and 320 assessment objectives) and feel overwhelmed. Where do you start? What comes first? How do you ensure nothing falls through the cracks?

That’s exactly why DataSure24 developed our structured 12-Month CMMC Readiness Program—a proven roadmap that transforms the complex journey to certification into a manageable, milestone-based process.

Why a 12-Month Roadmap Matters

CMMC compliance isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about building a mature cybersecurity program that genuinely protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) while meeting DoD requirements. This transformation doesn’t happen overnight.

Consider what’s at stake: Organizations that can’t demonstrate CMMC compliance won’t be eligible for DoD contracts. As Mike Turpin from EC First emphasized in a recent webinar, “You cannot be awarded a contract without the certification in hand.” No certification means watching contracts go to your competitors.

But here’s the challenge: Most organizations need 9-12 months of preparation before they’re ready for assessment. Add the 8-week assessment process itself, and you’re looking at a significant timeline. Starting today isn’t early—it’s essential.

A structured roadmap ensures you:

  • Address requirements in logical order, building on each milestone
  • Avoid costly rework from implementing controls out of sequence
  • Maintain momentum with clear monthly objectives
  • Have evidence and documentation ready when assessors arrive
  • Transform compliance from a sprint into a sustainable program

Your Month-by-Month Journey to CMMC Certification

Our 12-month program breaks down CMMC readiness into 20 manageable milestones, each building upon the last. Here’s how your transformation unfolds:

Month 1: Foundation (Milestones 1-2)

Define CUI & Define Scope

Everything starts here. You can’t protect what you haven’t identified. This critical first month focuses on:

  • Identifying exactly what constitutes CUI in your environment based on contracts
  • Creating comprehensive data flow diagrams showing where CUI travels
  • Inventorying all assets and applications (both in-scope and out)
  • Developing network diagrams for CUI storage, transmission, and processing
  • Identifying third-party service providers handling your CUI


Without proper scoping, you risk either over-engineering (wasting resources) or under-protecting (failing assessment).

Month 2: Documentation Framework (Milestone 3)

Documentation Development

With scope defined, we build your documentation foundation:

  • Creating policies and standards addressing all CMMC Level 2 requirements
  • Beginning your System Security Plan (SSP)—the “card catalog” for your entire program
  • Establishing your Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) to track remediation


Remember: Draft policies won’t pass assessment. Every document needs formal approval and specific, actionable language.

Month 3: Architecture & Network (Milestones 4-5)

Secure Architecture & Network Security

Now we fortify your technical foundation:

  • Implementing network architecture based on secure engineering principles
  • Creating protective enclaves for sensitive information
  • Developing and implementing comprehensive network security practices
  • Documenting all procedures and tracking deficiencies in your POA&M

Month 4: Configuration Management (Milestones 6-7)

Baseline Security Configurations & Centralized Controls

Standardization is key to maintainable security:

  • Building secure baseline configurations for all technology platforms
  • Implementing hardening standards across your environment
  • Developing Group Policy Objects (GPOs) for Active Directory
  • Ensuring consistent security controls across all systems

Month 5: Access & Change Control (Milestones 8-9)

Identity Management & Change Management

Controlling who can do what—and when changes happen:

  • Implementing Identity & Access Management (IAM) with least privilege
  • Establishing Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) across systems
  • Creating formal change control processes
  • Establishing a Change Control Board (CCB) for governance

Month 6: System Protection (Milestones 10-11)

Maintenance & Endpoint Protection

Keeping systems secure requires ongoing attention:

  • Developing proactive maintenance practices and procedures
  • Deploying endpoint protection to all in-scope assets
  • Configuring protection according to organizational policies
  • Ensuring comprehensive coverage without gaps

Month 7: Vulnerability Management (Milestones 12-13)

Vulnerability/Patch Management & Personnel Security

Addressing both technical and human vulnerabilities:

  • Building a vulnerability management program for identification and remediation
  • Establishing patch management procedures and timelines
  • Working with HR to integrate personnel security requirements
  • Ensuring background checks and security awareness are embedded in operations

Month 8: Data Protection (Milestones 14-15)

Encryption & Physical Security

Protecting CUI requires multiple layers:

  • Implementing cryptographic key management systems
  • Deploying data encryption for CUI at rest and in transit
  • Establishing physical security controls for facilities and media
  • Documenting all protective measures and procedures

Month 9: Monitoring & Media (Milestones 16-17)

Situational Awareness & System Media Handling

Visibility and control over your environment:

  • Implementing log collection and analysis capabilities (SIEM)
  • Establishing situational awareness through continuous monitoring
  • Creating secure procedures for media containing CUI
  • Managing everything from USB drives to backup tapes to printed documents

Month 10: Response & Training (Milestones 18-19)

Incident Response & Security Awareness

Preparing your people and processes:

  • Developing incident response capabilities to detect, respond, and recover
  • Creating incident response plans and playbooks
  • Building security awareness training programs
  • Ensuring your workforce understands their role in protecting CUI

Month 11 & 12: Validation (Milestone 20)

Internal Audit & Risk Assessment

The final push to certification readiness:

  • Conducting comprehensive security assessments
  • Performing risk assessments of all controls
  • Validating evidence and documentation
  • Ensuring your SPRS score accurately reflects your security posture
  • Addressing any remaining POA&M items

The Benefits of Following a Structured Plan

This milestone-based approach delivers several critical advantages:

  • Logical Progression: Each milestone builds on previous achievements. You won’t find yourself implementing advanced controls before basic foundations are in place.
  • Resource Optimization: By following a proven sequence, you avoid costly rework and redundant efforts. Your team knows exactly what to focus on each month.
  • Continuous Validation: Regular milestones mean regular validation. You’ll catch issues early when they’re easier and less expensive to fix.
  • Evidence Development: Documentation and evidence collection happen throughout the journey, not in a last-minute scramble before assessment.
  • Sustainable Compliance: This isn’t about passing a test—it’s about building a security program that protects your business and maintains compliance long-term.

How DataSure24 Accelerates Your Success

While the roadmap provides structure, success requires expertise. DataSure24’s approach includes:

  • Bi-weekly Joint Security Meetings (JSMs): Regular touchpoints ensure consistent progress and rapid issue resolution. These aren’t just status updates—they’re working sessions where we tackle challenges together.
  • Expert Guidance: Our team includes CMMC Certified Professionals (CCPs) and Lead Assessors who know exactly what assessors look for. We’ve seen what passes and what fails.
  • Hands-On Support: We don’t just tell you what to do—we help you do it. From policy templates to technical implementation guidance, we’re actively involved in your success.
  • Evidence Repository Development: We help you build a comprehensive Body of Evidence (BOE) that makes assessment day straightforward rather than stressful.
  • Flexible Engagement Options: Whether you need 20 or 30 hours per month of support, we scale to match your needs and timeline.

Start Your Journey Today

The path to CMMC certification is clear, but time is not on your side. With new contracts requiring certification and assessment capacity limited, organizations that start now position themselves for success. Those that wait risk watching opportunities pass to certified competitors.

Our 12-Month CMMC Readiness Program transforms an overwhelming challenge into a series of achievable monthly goals. You’ll know exactly where you are, where you’re going, and what comes next—every step of the way.

Ready to begin your structured journey to CMMC certification?

Download our complete CMMC 12-Month Readiness Timeline to see all 20 milestones in detail, or schedule a consultation with our CMMC experts to discuss how we can accelerate your path to compliance.

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Don’t let CMMC complexity delay your certification. With the right roadmap and expert guidance, you can achieve compliance efficiently and confidently—securing both your data and your future DoD contracts.