CMMC consultants love selling you $50K software packages. Enterprise security suites with 47 features you'll never use.
Here's what you actually need: 7 tools for under $500/month that'll get you 90% of the way to compliant.
I tested these on real machine shops (5-20 employees). They work. They're affordable. And they don't require a PhD in cybersecurity.
The 7 Tools You Actually Need
What it does: Stores all passwords in an encrypted vault. Generates strong passwords. Enforces MFA.
Why you need it:
- CMMC requires unique passwords for every system
- No more "password123" on sticky notes
- Easy to share shop floor credentials without texting passwords
Cost:
- 1Password: $8/user/month
- Bitwarden: $3/user/month
For a 10-person shop: $30-$80/month
Setup time: 2 hours (create vault, add passwords, train team)
Pro tip: Start with Bitwarden if you're budget-conscious. Upgrade to 1Password if you need better support.
What it does: Adds a second login step (phone code, app notification) after your password.
Why you need it:
- CMMC requires MFA on all systems accessing CUI
- Stops 99% of password-based attacks
- Even if someone steals your password, they can't log in without your phone
Cost:
- Duo: $3/user/month
- Microsoft Authenticator: Free (if you have Microsoft 365)
For a 10-person shop: $0-$30/month
Setup time: 4 hours (configure MFA on all accounts, train team)
Pro tip: If you're already using Microsoft 365, use their built-in MFA (free). Otherwise, Duo is bulletproof.
What it does: Automatically backs up all files to the cloud. Lets you restore if ransomware hits.
Why you need it:
- CMMC requires regular backups (tested quarterly)
- Ransomware is the #1 threat to small shops
- You need offsite backups (not just a USB drive in the office)
Cost:
- Backblaze: $7/computer/month (unlimited storage)
- Veeam: $10/workstation/month (enterprise-grade)
For a 10-person shop: $70-$100/month
Setup time: 1 day (install software, configure automatic backups, test restore)
Pro tip: Backblaze is dirt cheap and works great for file servers. Veeam if you need to back up virtual machines.
4. Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) — SentinelOne or CrowdStrike
What it does: Detects malware, ransomware, and suspicious activity on every computer. Auto-blocks threats.
Why you need it:
- Regular antivirus is dead (it only catches known threats)
- CMMC requires "continuous monitoring" of endpoints
- EDR catches zero-day attacks and suspicious behavior
Cost:
- SentinelOne: $5-$8/endpoint/month
- CrowdStrike: $8-$12/endpoint/month
For a 10-person shop: $50-$120/month
Setup time: 2 hours (deploy agents to all computers)
Pro tip: SentinelOne is easier to manage for non-IT staff. CrowdStrike if you want the Cadillac.
What it does: Tracks every computer, laptop, phone, and device in your shop. Documents serial numbers, software, and who's using it.
Why you need it:
- CMMC requires a full inventory of all devices
- You need to know what has access to CUI
- Auditors will ask for your asset list
Cost:
- Snipe-IT: Free (self-hosted) or $50/month (cloud)
- Asset Panda: $120/month
For a 10-person shop: $0-$120/month
Setup time: 4 hours (enter all devices, assign to users)
Pro tip: Start with Snipe-IT (free). It's ugly but functional. Upgrade to Asset Panda if you want mobile scanning and pretty reports.
6. Network Monitoring — Auvik or Domotz
What it does: Maps your entire network. Shows what devices are connected. Alerts you to suspicious activity.
Why you need it:
- CMMC requires network segmentation (CUI isolated from guest WiFi)
- You need to know if someone plugs in a rogue device
- Helps catch data exfiltration attempts
Cost:
- Domotz: $19/month (small networks)
- Auvik: $100-$200/month (larger networks)
For a 10-person shop: $19-$100/month
Setup time: 2 hours (deploy agent, map network)
Pro tip: Domotz is perfect for small shops. Auvik if you have multiple locations or complex networks.
7. Security Awareness Training — KnowBe4 or NINJIO
What it does: Sends fake phishing emails to employees. Trains them to spot scams. Tracks who clicks on dangerous links.
Why you need it:
- CMMC requires annual security training for all staff
- Your biggest vulnerability isn't technology — it's people
- Phishing is how most breaches start
Cost:
- NINJIO: $10/user/year
- KnowBe4: $25/user/year
For a 10-person shop: $100-$250/year ($8-$21/month)
Setup time: 1 hour (enroll users, launch first training module)
Pro tip: NINJIO has short 3-4 minute videos (perfect for shop floor staff who won't sit through 45-minute courses). KnowBe4 if you want deep analytics.
Total Cost Breakdown
| Tool | Monthly Cost (10 users) |
|---|
| Password Manager (Bitwarden) | $30 |
| MFA (Microsoft Authenticator) | $0 |
| Backups (Backblaze) | $70 |
| EDR (SentinelOne) | $60 |
| Asset Management (Snipe-IT) | $0 |
| Network Monitoring (Domotz) | $19 |
| Security Training (NINJIO) | $10 |
| TOTAL | $189/month |
Annual cost: $2,268
That's way less than losing a single DoD contract.
What About "All-in-One" Solutions?
You'll hear vendors pitch "complete CMMC platforms" that do everything.
They exist. They cost $20K-$50K/year.
Are they worth it? Only if you're lazy or have money to burn.
The 7 tools above are best-of-breed. Each one does its job better than any all-in-one suite.
Mix-and-match is cheaper and more effective.
DIY vs. Managed Services
You have two options:
Option 1: DIY (You Manage Everything)
- Cost: $189/month for tools + your time
- Pros: Cheaper, full control
- Cons: You need to configure, monitor, and maintain everything
- Best for: Shops with an IT-savvy person on staff
Option 2: Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP)
- Cost: $500-$1,500/month (includes tools + monitoring + support)
- Pros: Someone else handles alerts, updates, and incident response
- Cons: More expensive, less control
- Best for: Shops with zero IT staff or no time to babysit tools
If your shop manager is also running the CNC lathe, go with an MSSP. If you have a dedicated IT person, DIY is fine.
What Tools Do You NOT Need?
Here's what consultants will try to sell you that you don't actually need:
❌ SIEM (Security Information & Event Management)
What it is: Centralized log collection and analysis (Splunk, LogRhythm).
Why you don't need it: Overkill for small shops. Your EDR and network monitoring already handle this.
Cost you'll save: $10K-$30K/year
❌ Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
What it is: Blocks sensitive files from leaving your network.
Why you don't need it (yet): CMMC Level 2 doesn't explicitly require DLP. Save this for Level 3 or if your prime demands it.
Cost you'll save: $5K-$15K/year
❌ Vulnerability Scanning Tools
What it is: Automated scans to find software flaws (Nessus, Qualys).
Why you don't need it (sort of): CMMC requires vulnerability scanning, BUT most MSSPs include it in their service. Don't buy a separate tool unless you're doing DIY everything.
Cost you'll save: $2K-$5K/year
How to Roll This Out Without Breaking Your Shop
Don't try to implement all 7 tools in one weekend. You'll overwhelm your team and screw something up.
Here's a sane rollout plan:
Week 1-2: Passwords & MFA
- Deploy password manager
- Enable MFA on all accounts
- Train team (2-hour session)
Week 3-4: Backups & Asset Tracking
- Set up automated backups
- Build asset inventory
- Test a backup restore
Week 5-6: Endpoint Security
- Deploy EDR to all computers
- Configure network monitoring
- Review alerts daily for first week
Week 7-8: Training & Documentation
- Launch security awareness training
- Document all policies
- Run first phishing test
Total rollout: 8 weeks
What If You're Already Using Some of These?
Great! Don't rip out what's working.
Check if your current tools meet CMMC requirements:
- Does your backup solution do offsite backups? (Not just a NAS in the office)
- Does your antivirus include EDR capabilities? (Not just signature-based scanning)
- Is your MFA enabled on all accounts? (Not just email)
Most shops have some pieces but not all. Fill the gaps.
Where Do You Start?
Priority order (do these first):
- MFA — Easiest, fastest, biggest impact
- Backups — Protects you from ransomware today
- Password Manager — Stops password reuse and sticky notes
- EDR — Catches threats your current antivirus misses
- Asset Management — Boring paperwork, but auditors check this
- Network Monitoring — Nice to have, not urgent
- Security Training — Do this quarterly, not a rush
Knock out #1-3 in the first month. You'll be 70% of the way there.
Can These Tools Actually Get You CMMC Certified?
Yes. But tools alone won't pass the audit.
C3PAOs (the auditors) check three things:
- Technical controls — Do you have the right tools? (These 7 cover it)
- Policies & procedures — Are they documented? (You need to write these)
- Evidence of use — Can you prove you're actually using the tools? (Logs, training records, test results)
Tools handle #1. You handle #2 and #3.
Most shops hire a consultant to help with policies and evidence. Budget $10K-$20K for that part.
Bottom Line
CMMC compliance doesn't require a $100K enterprise security stack.
7 tools. $189/month. 8-week rollout.
That gets you:
- Secure passwords with MFA
- Encrypted offsite backups
- Advanced threat detection
- Full asset inventory
- Network visibility
- Trained employees
Everything else is nice-to-have or consultant upsell.
Start with these 7. Pass your audit. Keep your DoD contracts.
Next step: Take the free quiz to see which tools you're missing. It'll give you a custom checklist based on your current setup.
