Zero Trust Without the Buzzwords: A Practical Small-Business Checklist How to use this guide: Two audiences live here. If you’re the business owner or decision-maker, read the plain-English summaries under each pillar heading — they tell you what and why. If you’re the IT person or MSP tech doing the work, the checklists and tool callouts are yours. Both audiences should read Where to Start before diving in. What Is Zero Trust, Actually?

A practical guide to understanding CMMC compliance and building a System Security Plan with limited IT staff and budget. Why CMMC Matters for Small Business What is CMMC? Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the Department of Defense’s way of verifying that contractors protecting sensitive defense information have their security house in order. It’s not optional if you work with the DoD—it’s a requirement. If your small business: Sells to the Department of Defense Works as a subcontractor on DoD projects Handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Competes for federal contracts over $150,000 …you need CMMC compliance.