Eat the Frog: Why It’s Time to Tackle CMMC Head-On

If you’re part of the Department of Defense supply chain, there’s no easy way to say it: it’s “go time.” 

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) isn’t some distant regulatory cloud looming; it’s here, it’s real, and it’s already appearing in contract language. 

The ‘Eat the Frog’ Method (and Your CMMC Wake-Up Call)

Productivity expert Brian Tracy popularized the “Eat the Frog” approach: tackle your hardest, most important task first thing in the morning—the “frog”—and the rest of your day feels lighter.

For many organizations, CMMC is that frog. It’s complex, unglamorous, and easy to postpone. But once you dig in, you’ll find the process brings clarity, discipline, and confidence, and not just for compliance, but for strengthening your entire business foundation.

By 2026, certification will cover the entire defense industrial base. For leaders who’ve been meaning to “get to it soon,” that frog on your desk just grew fangs.

The CMMC Countdown

The Department of Defense is finalizing rulemaking for CMMC 2.0 rolling out in phases (which started this year):

• 2025: CMMC requirements started showing up in contracts; self-assessments begun
• 2026: Level 2 certifications required for certain contracts
• 2027–2028: Full enforcement across applicable contracts

If your business handles Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), CMMC applies to you—period. Waiting risks losing eligibility for new or renewal contracts. The stakes are high, but the payoff is long-term stability and opportunity.

People, Process, and Technology: The Three Frogs of CMMC

CMMC isn’t just a technical checklist. It’s a framework for leading a secure defense business, built on three pillars.

People: Leading Through the Resistance

CMMC isn’t the IT Teams problem. It’s an organizational mission. Leadership must drive the effort, aligning operations, HR, and finance. The first frog to eat is a mindset shift: cybersecurity is now a business imperative. Think of it like preventative healthcare—momentarily uncomfortable, but far better than emergency surgery when the audit arrives.

Process: Building Habits, Not Heroics

Compliance doesn’t come from last-minute scrambles; it comes from consistent processes. Policies, documentation, and governance may feel tedious, but they form the scaffolding that keeps compliance sustainable. Build habits now to avoid heroics later.

Technology: Tangible Investments

Technology covers most of the 110 required controls. While leaders often experience sticker shock, the ROI is clear: stronger security, reduced downtime, fewer breaches, and improved maturity. In an era of accelerating AI-powered cyber threats, controls like multi-factor authentication, encryption, and secure cloud configurations aren’t just smart investments; they’re the new baseline for responsible security.

What Happens If You Don’t Eat the Frog

Delaying CMMC may feel easier now, but the costs compound quickly. Without compliance, your business could:

• Lose existing or future DoD contracts
• Face penalties or disqualification at renewal
• Fall behind competitors who are already certified

Acting now turns a regulatory burden into a competitive and strategic advantage.

The Payoff: Why It’s Worth the Bite

Every business leader we’ve partnered with starts this journey with some hesitancy, but over time we work together to build a sustainable compliance program and empower our partners to lead their business through the process of achieving and then maintaining compliance. 

Achieving compliance isn’t merely passing an audit; it’s about building trust with clients, partners, and your team. And going forward it will be the difference between winning or missing out on contracts. When people, process, and technology align, you don’t just check a box; you build resilience. In a world where cyber incidents are the new normal, resilience is the ultimate ROI. 

How to Start Eating Your CMMC Frog

A practical, bite-sized plan:

1. Assess where you stand – Start with a compliance gap analysis and a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).
2. Define ownership – Assign clear roles; remember, CMMC is an organizational mission
3. Get expert help – Partner with a CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization™ like Mainstay Technologies
4. Start with the basics – Implement MFA, encryption, secure backups, and security awareness training.
5. Keep at it – CMMC isn’t a one-time meal; it’s a long-term commitment to continuous improvement.

The key is to start. The longer you stare at the frog, the bigger and slimier it looks. Take the first bite, and momentum builds naturally.

The Bottom Line

CMMC is an opportunity to build a stronger, smarter, and more secure organization. The businesses that act now will win contracts, earn trust, and sleep soundly. Those that don’t may find themselves watching from the sidelines.

Are you ready to eat the frog?

Learn More: https://www.mstech.com/cmmc/

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