You Have All the Right Technology. So Why Did You Fail?
Your company invested in the security tools every consultant recommended:
- Strong passwords and multi-factor authentication
- Encryption for sensitive data
- Monitoring systems to catch threats
- Access controls and firewalls
Your IT team worked hard to get everything in place. They assured you the technical controls were ready. So why did your CMMC assessment fail?
You're Not Alone
This scenario plays out at defense contractors across the country. They check every technical box, follow the implementation roadmap, and still fail certification. The frustration is real—you did everything you were told to do.
The problem isn't your technology. It's the capability gap.
What Is the Capability Gap?
The capability gap is the space between having good technology and being truly ready for compliance. It's what separates companies that pass assessments from those that don't.
This is where certifications fail, budgets spiral, and timelines stretch out for months. Understanding this gap—and how to close it, is the key to passing your assessment the first time.
More Than Just Technology
Here's what many defense contractors miss: Most CMMC requirements are about people and processes, not just technology.
Yes, you need security tools. Firewalls, encryption, and access controls matter. But CMMC assessors look beyond your technology. They want to see if your company can keep doing things right over time.
Why Companies Fail (Even with Great Technology)
Missing documentation
- Policies aren't complete
- Procedures aren't written down
- Can't prove you've been following the rules
Untrained staff
- IT team can use the tools but can't explain why they matter
- Employees don't know how to protect sensitive information
Inconsistent processes
- Security works differently in each department
- What happens depends on who's working that day
No company-wide buy-in
- People think compliance is "IT's job"
- Not everyone takes responsibility
The Real Cost of Failing
When assessors find these problems, your great technology doesn't help:
- 6-12 months of delays
- Extra costs for fixes
- Competitors winning contracts while you wait
- Endless cycle of paying consultants because you never learned to do it yourself
The Good News About Building Capability
The capability gap is actually a chance to get ahead. While other contractors rush to buy technology and hope it works, companies that build real capabilities gain lasting advantages.
What You Gain
Peace of mind
- No worries about passing the next assessment
- Your team knows what to do and why
- Things run smoothly without constant help
- You can adapt when rules change
Lower long-term costs
- Less dependence on consultants
- Pass assessments the first time
- Easier recertification
Team independence
- Your people maintain compliance themselves
- No relying on outside experts
- Skills stay in your company
The Four Building Blocks of Compliance
You don't need more technology. You need to build capability in four key areas:
1. Written Documentation
Your compliance roadmap that guides daily decisions:
- Complete policies that help people make choices
- Procedures that match how work actually gets done
- Records that prove you're doing things right
- Documents your team uses every day, not just for audits
2. Trained People
Everyone understands both what to do and why:
- Employees know how their work protects important information
- IT staff understand why each security control matters
- Better decisions happen naturally
- Compliance becomes part of the job, not extra work
3. Consistent Processes
Work happens the same way every time:
- Security built into daily operations
- Not extra tasks—part of how work gets done
- Same process no matter who's doing it
- Reliable results you can count on
4. Company Culture
Everyone takes ownership:
- Leaders show commitment
- Managers reinforce good practices
- Employees protect information as part of their role
- "This is how we do things here"
- Everyone's responsibility, not just IT's problem
How Prescott Helps Build These Capabilities
We focus on teaching your team rather than just doing the work for you.
Our Approach
We teach, not just do
- Work with your team to build lasting skills
- Your people learn to maintain compliance on their own
- Knowledge stays in your company
We know multiple standards
- CMMC, HIPAA, and ISO 27001/002
- Understand compliance across different frameworks
- See the whole picture, not just technical requirements
We work as your silent partner
- Quietly in the background
- You're the star with assessors and customers
- We ensure you have what you need to succeed
What You Get
Companies that work with us don't just pass certification. They gain:
- Ability to maintain compliance over time
- Skills to adapt when requirements change
- Confidence to win new business
Technology Alone Isn't Enough
Technology is necessary but not enough. Companies that only invest in technical controls will keep struggling.
Ask Yourself These Questions
Beyond "Do we have the right tools?" ask:
- Can our team explain why each security control matters?
- Are our processes written down so people can follow them consistently?
- Would our security practices continue if key people left tomorrow?
- Does everyone understand their role in compliance?
If you're not sure about these questions, you have capability gaps that technology can't fix.
The Time to Act Is Now
Phase 1 CMMC is now live. Here's what that means:
- Assessment slots filling up fast
- Contractors rushing to get certified
- Success goes to companies with real capability, not just technology
The capability gap won't fix itself. It takes:
- Strategic work
- Knowledge transfer
- Culture change
But companies that invest now will enter 2025 ready for lasting success.
Ready to Get Started?
Prescott offers readiness assessments that find gaps in:
- Documentation
- People training
- Processes
- Culture
Let's map your path from just having technology to building real capability.
Contact Prescott today to start building compliance capability that lasts.
