In today’s fast-evolving threat landscape, cybersecurity isn’t just a best practice, it’s a contractual obligation for aerospace and defense manufacturers. Government contractors must comply with strict frameworks like the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and NIST SP 800-171 to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). For many small and mid-sized aerospace firms, meeting these requirements can be a major challenge, especially without dedicated IT and compliance teams.
That’s where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) step in. By partnering with an experienced MSP, aerospace companies can close security gaps, streamline compliance processes, and maintain audit readiness, without overburdening internal staff.
In this post, we’ll explore the key compliance hurdles aerospace firms face and how an MSP like Charles IT can help you confidently meet CMMC and NIST requirements.
Aerospace firms working with the Department of Defense (DoD) or handling government contracts are required to comply with:
Noncompliance can mean disqualification from contracts, loss of business, and reputational damage, not to mention increased vulnerability to cyberattacks. While these frameworks are essential to national security, implementing them can feel overwhelming for resource-strapped firms.
Aerospace manufacturers often face a range of IT compliance challenges:
These hurdles are particularly burdensome for smaller contractors who must meet the same security standards as much larger organizations, often with fewer in-house tools and support.
An MSP like Charles IT brings compliance expertise, advanced tools, and proactive support to help aerospace firms close the gap between current practices and regulatory requirements.
Here’s how:
The first step toward compliance is knowing where you stand. MSPs conduct thorough risk and gap assessments aligned with NIST 800-171 and CMMC requirements. These assessments identify vulnerabilities in your current IT environment and outline specific actions needed to close them, saving time and reducing uncertainty.
Meeting CMMC and NIST requirements involves more than just installing tools, it also requires formal documentation. MSPs help develop and maintain:
With expert guidance, your documentation won’t just check a box, it will serve as a practical foundation for long-term compliance.
From encryption and multifactor authentication to endpoint protection and secure remote access, MSPs deploy and manage the technical controls required by CMMC and NIST. Charles IT, for example, leverages best-in-class tools to ensure your environment meets or exceeds required standards, all while remaining efficient and user-friendly.
CMMC requires ongoing monitoring and regular auditing, not just a one-time compliance event. MSPs provide 24/7 monitoring, automated alerting, and rapid incident response capabilities. This ensures that threats are detected and addressed in real time, not after the damage is done.
Partnering with a compliance-focused MSP offers several benefits for aerospace and defense firms:
At Charles IT, we act as an extension of your team, helping you meet CMMC and NIST standards efficiently, without disrupting daily operations.
The journey to CMMC and NIST compliance may seem complex, but you don’t have to go it alone. With the right MSP by your side, you can protect sensitive data, stay ahead of regulatory changes, and position your business for long-term success in the aerospace and defense supply chain.
Ready to simplify your path to compliance? Connect with a Charles IT team member today to learn how our tailored IT solutions can help your aerospace firm meet regulatory requirements, strengthen cybersecurity, and stay mission-ready.