Initial state
The client was preparing for SBIR Phase II growth while navigating increasing cybersecurity expectations from federal customers and defense partners.
The organization needed:
- A practical path toward CMMC-aligned operations
- Support aligning cybersecurity planning with SBIR Phase II objectives
- Guidance leveraging available TABA cybersecurity funding
- A compliance strategy that would not slow engineering execution or product development
Like many early-stage defense startups, the company had limited internal compliance bandwidth and needed an approach that balanced speed, cost, and operational reality.
Intervention
Worked directly with leadership to align cybersecurity planning with both near-term SBIR objectives and long-term defense contracting requirements.
Key activities included:
- Supported cybersecurity strategy development tied to the client’s SBIR Phase II application efforts
- Helped position and structure TABA cybersecurity funding utilization
- Defined a scoped compliance boundary to avoid unnecessary operational overhead
- Prioritized foundational controls including identity management, endpoint security, documentation, and evidence retention
- Built SSP and POA&M artifacts alongside remediation planning
- Established an execution roadmap aligned to realistic startup operating constraints
- Created a repeatable cadence between leadership, engineering, and compliance stakeholders
Business impact
- Delivered a structured cybersecurity execution roadmap in under 30 days
- Improved evidence maturity from fragmented documentation to review-ready artifacts
- Helped leadership translate cybersecurity requirements into actionable funding and execution decisions
- Reduced uncertainty during procurement and partnership conversations through documented planning
- Positioned the company for more scalable CMMC progression as federal engagement expanded
Related article: SBIR cybersecurity funding, CMMC, and TABA