What Is CMMC Level 1 and Why Should You Care?
If you're a small business working with the Department of Defense—or hoping to—you've probably heard whispers about CMMC. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is the DoD's framework for ensuring contractors protect sensitive information. And as of 2025, it's no longer optional.
CMMC Level 1 is the entry point, designed for contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI). The good news? It's achievable for small businesses without a massive security budget. The challenge? Knowing exactly what's required and proving you've done it.
The 17 Practices You Need to Master
CMMC Level 1 maps directly to 17 practices from NIST SP 800-171. These aren't exotic security measures—they're foundational hygiene that every business should implement anyway. Here's what you're working with:
Access Control - Limit system access to authorized users - Limit system access to the types of transactions and functions authorized users are permitted to execute
Identification and Authentication - Identify system users and processes acting on behalf of users - Authenticate identities before allowing access
Media Protection - Sanitize or destroy media containing FCI before disposal or reuse
Physical Protection - Limit physical access to systems and equipment - Escort visitors and monitor visitor activity
System and Communications Protection - Monitor, control, and protect communications at system boundaries - Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components
System and Information Integrity - Identify, report, and correct system flaws in a timely manner - Provide protection from malicious code - Update malicious code protection mechanisms - Perform periodic scans and real-time scans of files from external sources
Notice a pattern? Many of these practices revolve around knowing what's on your network, keeping it updated, and scanning for problems before they become breaches.
The Self-Assessment Reality
Unlike higher CMMC levels, Level 1 allows for annual self-assessment. This sounds easier than third-party certification, but it comes with responsibility. You're affirming to the DoD that you've implemented these controls. False claims can trigger the False Claims Act—and that's territory no small business wants to enter.
Your self-assessment needs to be documented and defensible. This means:
- Creating a System Security Plan (SSP) that describes your environment and how each practice is implemented
- Maintaining evidence that controls are actually working (logs, scan reports, policy documents)
- Conducting regular reviews to ensure nothing has drifted out of compliance
Where Small Businesses Struggle
After talking with dozens of contractors navigating CMMC, the same pain points emerge:
"I don't know what I don't know." Many small businesses lack visibility into their own systems. They can't protect assets they haven't inventoried, and they can't fix vulnerabilities they haven't discovered. Regular vulnerability scanning becomes essential here—not as a checkbox exercise, but as a genuine window into your security posture.
"We can't afford enterprise security tools." The perception that compliance requires six-figure security investments keeps many contractors from even starting. The reality is that Level 1 can often be achieved with a combination of built-in OS security features, affordable scanning tools, and documented policies.
"Our IT person left and took all the knowledge." Documentation isn't glamorous, but it's what separates compliant organizations from those scrambling during an audit. Every security decision should be written down somewhere accessible.
A Practical Starting Point
If CMMC Level 1 feels overwhelming, start with these three actions this week:
1. Inventory everything. You cannot secure what you don't know exists. List every device, every user account, every system that touches FCI. This becomes the foundation of your SSP.
2. Scan for vulnerabilities. Automated vulnerability scanning gives you an immediate picture of where your systems stand. Missing patches, misconfigurations, and known vulnerabilities will surface quickly. Many affordable options exist for small businesses—the key is running scans consistently, not just once.
3. Document as you go. Every time you fix something, write it down. Every policy decision, document it. This habit transforms compliance from a painful annual exercise into an ongoing practice.
The Bigger Picture
CMMC Level 1 isn't just about keeping your government contracts. It's about building security practices that protect your business, your employees, and your customers. The 17 practices aren't bureaucratic hurdles—they're the minimum standard for operating safely in a threat landscape that doesn't care how small your business is.
Small businesses are increasingly targeted precisely because attackers assume they lack proper defenses. Achieving CMMC Level 1 compliance means you've closed the most common attack vectors. That's valuable whether you're chasing DoD contracts or just trying to avoid becoming a headline.
The contractors who thrive in this new environment won't be those with the biggest security budgets. They'll be the ones who treat basic security hygiene—access control, regular scanning, timely patching—as non-negotiable business operations rather than compliance theater.
Start small. Document everything. Scan regularly. The path to CMMC Level 1 is more accessible than you think.