Preparing Your Team for CMMC: Key Roles and Responsibilities

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is a mandatory framework designed to enhance the cybersecurity posture of contractors and suppliers in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). With increasing cyber threats targeting sensitive defense-related information, the Department of Defense (DoD) has reinforced the importance of proper security practices, clear role assignments, and structured compliance management. 

But where do you start? One of the most common pitfalls in CMMC compliance is unclear roles and responsibilities within an organization. Companies risk falling behind deadlines, failing assessments, and losing valuable contracts without a structured approach. 

This blog will walk you through: 

• The key roles needed for CMMC compliance 
• How to assign responsibilities effectively 
• Common challenges teams face and how to overcome them 
• Best practices for streamlining compliance efforts 

Why Clearly Defined Roles Matter in CMMC Compliance 

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT concern—it’s an organizational-wide effort. From executive leadership to frontline employees, everyone is responsible for securing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and meeting NIST SP 800-171 requirements. 

Without defined roles, organizations often face: 

• Confusion – Who is responsible for what? Lack of clarity leads to missed tasks, audit failures, and compliance gaps. 
• Inefficiency – Overlapping responsibilities or redundant efforts waste time and resources. 
• Increased risk – Cybersecurity gaps caused by a lack of accountability can result in breaches, penalties, or contract loss. 

Businesses can create an efficient and audit-ready compliance process by assigning clear roles and implementing structured compliance workflows. 

Key Roles in a CMMC Compliance Team 

To ensure success, organizations should define critical roles in their compliance framework: 

Executive Leadership / Compliance Sponsor 

Who: C-suite executives (CIO, CISO, CEO) or senior management. 

Responsibilities: 

• Championing cybersecurity initiatives to ensure organization-wide adoption. 
• Allocating budget and resources for compliance efforts. 
• Ensuring compliance aligns with business objectives and contract requirements. 
• Holding teams accountable for security and compliance performance. 

Compliance efforts often stall without executive buy-in due to resource limitations or lack of priority. 

Compliance Manager / CMMC Program Lead 

Who: A dedicated compliance officer, risk manager, or cybersecurity lead. 

Responsibilities: 

• Oversees the entire CMMC compliance process, ensuring alignment with NIST SP 800-171. 
• Coordinates across departments to assign compliance-related tasks. 
• Manages assessments and documentation (SSP, POA&M, and SPRS scoring) 
• Keeps up with evolving CMMC regulations and prepares the organization for audits. 

A Compliance Manager is the backbone of CMMC readiness—ensuring deadlines are met, and compliance remains a continuous effort. 

IT & Security Team 

Who: IT administrators, security engineers, system architects, or a managed service provider (MSP). 

Responsibilities: 

• Implement security controls required by CMMC levels. 
• Manage access control, encryption, and endpoint protection for CUI. 
• Monitor security logs and incident response plans. 
• Ensure compliance with NIST security practices and cyber hygiene policies. 

IT teams provide the technical backbone of compliance—ensuring secure systems, networks, and access management. 

HR & Training Coordinators 

Who: HR managers, compliance trainers, or security awareness leads. 

Responsibilities: 

• Develop security awareness training programs for employees. 
• Ensure all personnel understand their cybersecurity responsibilities. 
• Conduct phishing simulations and role-based training for compliance. 
• Monitor employee compliance with security policies. 

Human error is one of the biggest causes of compliance failures. A strong training program can reduce security risks and strengthen organizational awareness. 

Operations & Business Unit Leads 

Who: Department heads responsible for handling CUI (engineering, procurement, supply chain, etc.). 

Responsibilities: 

• Ensure security policies are followed within their teams. 
• Identify compliance gaps in everyday workflows. 
• Collaborate with IT and compliance teams to implement security improvements. 
• Provide documentation for audit preparation. 

Operational leaders help bridge the gap between cybersecurity policies and real-world business processes. 

Third-Party Vendors & Consultants 

Who: CMMC consultants, security auditors, or managed compliance service providers. 

Responsibilities: 

• Conduct gap assessments and readiness evaluations. 
• Provide expert guidance on CMMC control implementation. 
• Assist with SSP and POA&M documentation. 
• Help organizations achieve compliance efficiently. 

Many organizations lack the internal resources for CMMC compliance and rely on trusted partners to navigate complex requirements. 

How Sikich’s STARS Program Simplifies CMMC Compliance 

Many organizations lack the resources and expertise to manage compliance internally. That’s where Sikich’s Secure Trust Assessment & Readiness Services (STARS) Program comes in. 

What is the STARS Program? 

Sikich’s STARS Program is a structured, expert-led compliance framework designed to help organizations achieve CMMC certification faster and more efficiently. 

It follows a phased approach to: 

• Eliminate uncertainty with expert guidance on CMMC requirements. 
• Reduce compliance risk with proactive security assessments. 
• Save time by streamlining documentation, security policies, and assessments. 
• Maintain compliance with ongoing monitoring and advisory services. 

Who Does the STARS Program Help? 

• Defense Contractors—Who lack in-house compliance teams but need to meet DFARS & CMMC requirements 
• Enterprises Handling CUI—Who require a structured compliance program to maintain DoD contracts 
• IT & Security Leaders—Who need expert-driven cybersecurity and risk management solutions 

If your business needs support with CMMC compliance, Sikich provides hands-on support to help organizations navigate CMMC 2.0 quickly and efficiently. 

How STARS Aligns with Preparing Your Team for CMMC 

The STARS Program directly supports organizations in defining roles, assigning responsibilities, and implementing security policies—the steps necessary for CMMC readiness. 

1. Scope: Defines compliance requirements and identifies team roles. 
2. Train: Educate teams on CMMC responsibilities. 
3. Assess: Conducts self-assessments to evaluate compliance readiness. 
4. Remediate: Develop a plan to fix compliance gaps. 
5. Support: Provides ongoing monitoring and compliance updates. 

Without structured guidance, organizations can waste months trying to decipher compliance requirements. The STARS Program saves over three months of effort, ensuring teams stay on track and achieve certification faster. 

Best Practices for Preparing Your Team for CMMC 

• Start Early: Compliance isn’t a one-time effort—begin assessments and role assignments now to stay ahead of deadlines. 
• Define Clear Roles & Responsibilities: Assign accountability at every level—from leadership to frontline employees. 
• Invest in Training: Regular security awareness programs ensure that employees stay compliant and alert to risks. 
• Automate Documentation & Monitoring: Reduce errors and improve efficiency by using compliance management platforms. 
• Conduct Internal Audits: Routine compliance check-ins help catch gaps before formal CMMC assessments. 

Conclusion 

CMMC 2.0 compliance is a team effort—and success starts with clearly defined roles, structured workflows, and expert guidance. Organizations that take a proactive approach will achieve compliance faster, reduce risk, and strengthen cybersecurity posture. 

If you’re preparing for CMMC certification, now is the time to assess your team’s readiness and streamline your approach.