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CMMC COMPLIANCE FOR CNC MACHINING

CMMC Compliance for CNC Machining

CNC machine shops sit at the heart of the defense supply chain, handling G-code files, CAD/CAM models, and toolpath programs that qualify as Controlled Unclassified Information. We get your shop floor and IT network to CMMC Level 2 without disrupting production.

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Why CNC Machining Companies Need CMMC Compliance

CNC machining shops produce the precision components that keep the defense industrial base running, and they do it from technical data packages (TDPs) that are some of the most sensitive unclassified information in the DoD ecosystem. Every drawing, G-code file, CAD/CAM model, and toolpath program delivered by a prime contractor is almost always marked or flow-down treated as Controlled Unclassified Information under NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012.

The challenge for machine shops is unique: your shop floor runs legacy Fanuc, Siemens, Haas, Mazak, and Okuma controllers that were never designed with cybersecurity in mind. DNC servers, USB sticks, post-processors, and CAM seats move files freely between engineering and the production floor. Most shops also carry ITAR and EAR obligations on top of CMMC, which turns a single unsecured workstation into a potential export violation.

Primes like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and General Dynamics are already flowing CMMC Level 2 requirements down in subcontracts. A shop that cannot demonstrate a current SPRS score, an SSP, and a POA&M will lose eligibility to bid. Worse, a breach of TDP data can trigger both a DFARS 7012 reporting requirement and an ITAR violation investigation.

We specialize in CMMC for CNC shops. We know how to protect machine networks without taking controllers offline, how to scope the CUI enclave so you are not rebuilding the whole business, and how to document the controls in a way that will hold up to a C3PAO assessment.

$4.2M
average cost of a manufacturing IP theft incident involving defense technical data packages

Our CMMC Services for CNC Machining

End-to-end CMMC consulting tailored to CNC shops. Whether you are starting from scratch or preparing for your C3PAO assessment, we meet you where you are.

CNC Shop Gap Assessment

A full review of your engineering network, DNC servers, CAM seats, and machine controllers against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, with a documented SPRS score and a clear picture of your CUI enclave.

Readiness Assessment

A mock C3PAO assessment that mirrors the official methodology, including objective evidence collection for G-code handling, TDP access control, and removable-media restrictions on the shop floor.

Policy & Documentation

SSP, POA&M, incident response plan, and shop-floor policies covering G-code file transfer, USB restrictions on CNC controllers, visitor access to the production area, and TDP destruction.

Technical Controls Implementation

OT/IT segmentation for Fanuc, Siemens, Haas, and Mazak networks; FIPS-validated encryption for TDP shares; MFA for CAM engineers; audit logging on DNC servers; and endpoint hardening for machinists.

Managed Compliance

Ongoing log review, vulnerability scanning of shop-floor assets, quarterly evidence refresh, and annual SSP updates so your CMMC status holds between assessments and contract reviews.

C3PAO Certification Support

Scoping, scheduling, interview coaching for machinists and CAM leads, and on-site support during your C3PAO assessment so your shop passes the first time.

Which CMMC Level Do You Need?

The CMMC level you need is dictated by the information you handle under your DoD contracts. Here is how CMMC 2.0 breaks down for CNC shops.

Level 1

Foundational

  • 17 basic safeguarding practices from FAR 52.204-21
  • For contractors that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) only
  • Annual self-assessment with senior-official affirmation in SPRS
  • No CUI in scope
Level 2 — Most Common for CNC Machining

Advanced

  • All 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2
  • Required for any contractor that stores, processes, or transmits CUI
  • Third-party C3PAO assessment every three years
  • The level most CNC shops will need
Level 3

Expert

  • All Level 2 controls plus selected NIST SP 800-172 enhanced requirements
  • Required for contractors on the DoD's highest-priority programs
  • Government-led DIBCAC assessment every three years
  • Applies to a narrow set of contractors

Most CNC shops working defense contracts handle CUI and will need Level 2. Shops producing only commercial parts or purely FCI-level work may qualify for Level 1. We will review your contracts and DFARS clauses with you at no cost to confirm.

Controlled Unclassified Information We Protect in CNC Machining

Under NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS 252.204-7012, every one of these artifacts is typically CUI when tied to a DoD contract. Each one is in scope for CMMC Level 2.

G-Code & Post-Processed NC Files

Machine-ready G-code generated from government-furnished TDPs. Often export-controlled when tied to defense components.

CAD/CAM Models & Drawings

STEP, IGES, SolidWorks, NX, and Mastercam files received from primes; almost always CUI//SP-EXPT or CUI//DCRIT.

Toolpaths & Fixture Designs

Process-specific toolpaths and custom fixture drawings that reveal how a defense part is produced.

Material Certifications & Lot Data

DFARS specialty metals traceability, mill certs, and lot histories tied to defense part numbers.

Inspection Reports & FAIRs

CMM data, First Article Inspection Reports (AS9102), and SPC data linked to CUI drawings.

Purchase Orders & Statement of Work

Prime contractor POs and SOWs that reference DFARS 7012, 7019, 7020, and 7021 flow-downs.

78%
of machine shops run flat networks with no OT/IT segmentation between CNC controllers and the business LAN
$4.2M
average cost of a manufacturing IP theft incident involving defense technical data
6 Mo
typical timeline for a mid-size CNC shop to reach CMMC Level 2 readiness
110
NIST SP 800-171 controls that apply to every shop handling CUI

Our 5-Step CMMC Process for CNC Machining

1

Initial Consultation

We review your prime contracts, DFARS clauses, and the types of TDPs you receive to confirm your required CMMC level and define the boundary of your CUI enclave.

2

Gap Analysis

A detailed review of all 110 controls across your engineering network, CAM seats, DNC servers, and shop-floor controllers, with technical testing and machinist interviews.

3

Remediation Planning

A prioritized roadmap that sequences fixes by C3PAO weighting and production impact so we never shut a machine down to fix a policy gap.

4

Implementation

We deploy segmentation at the OT/IT boundary, lock down USB on CNC controllers, encrypt TDP shares, and author every policy your SSP requires.

5

Assessment Support

Mock assessments, evidence walkthroughs, machinist interview prep, and on-site support during your C3PAO assessment.

Why Telco United for CNC Machining CMMC

Shop Floor Experience

We have worked with Fanuc, Siemens, Haas, Mazak, and Okuma controllers. We know what can be patched, what cannot, and how to compensate.

Fixed-Price Engagements

Scoped, capped deliverables with no open-ended hourly billing so you can commit to a CMMC budget and defend it to ownership.

ITAR & EAR Awareness

We understand that a CMMC control that accidentally exposes TDPs to a foreign-person employee is also an ITAR violation. We design around both.

24/7 Managed SOC

If you need continuous monitoring to satisfy the 3.6 and 3.14 control families, we provide it in-house on US-person staff.

AS9100 Alignment

Our policies map cleanly to AS9100 quality requirements so your CMMC work does not collide with your quality system.

End-to-End Delivery

We do not stop at advice. We implement the controls, author the policies, train the machinists, and stand next to you through the C3PAO audit.

CNC Machining CMMC FAQ

When do CNC machining shops need to be CMMC compliant?
If you hold DoD subcontracts through a prime or a higher-tier sub, CMMC requirements are being flowed down on new awards right now under Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the DoD final rule. If you plan to bid in the next 12-24 months, you should be working toward Level 2 today.
What CUI does my CNC shop actually handle?
Almost every technical data package a prime sends you is CUI: drawings, STEP/IGES models, G-code, toolpaths, inspection instructions, and material specs. Purchase orders that cite DFARS 252.204-7012 are a strong indicator that the work package contains CUI.
How long does CMMC certification take for a machine shop?
Most shops with 20-100 employees need six to nine months to reach Level 2 readiness. The biggest time sinks are OT/IT segmentation of the shop floor and building the evidence package for TDP handling.
What CMMC level does a CNC shop typically need?
Level 2 is standard for any shop handling CUI. Level 1 applies to shops that handle only FCI. Level 3 is rare for machine shops unless you support a named Priority Program.
How much does CMMC cost a CNC shop?
Most 25-100 employee shops spend $60,000-$150,000 on initial Level 2 readiness, plus ongoing managed security costs of $2,000-$6,000 per month, plus the C3PAO assessment fee. We quote fixed price so you know the number up front.
Do I have to put my CNC controllers on MFA?
No. NIST 800-171 is risk-based. In most cases we segment the controllers into an OT enclave and apply compensating controls at the enclave boundary rather than on the controllers themselves, which the C3PAO community has consistently accepted.

Start Your CMMC Journey Today

Get a free consultation with our CMMC experts. No commitment, just clear next steps tailored to your contracts, your environment, and your timeline.

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