CMMC 2.0 Compliance: A Critical Guide for Aerospace Manufacturers in the Defense Industrial Base

Aerospace manufacturers represent a critical segment of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), producing everything from tactical aircraft and transport planes to advanced aerospace systems and components. As the Department of Defense (DoD) implements the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0, these manufacturers face unique compliance challenges that directly affect their ability to participate in defense contracts.

Need to comply with CMMC? Here is your complete CMMC compliance checklist.

The stakes for aerospace manufacturers are exceptionally high. Their operations involve highly sensitive technical data, from propulsion system specifications to stealth technology designs and advanced materials compositions. The industry routinely handles substantial volumes of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI). A security breach could not only compromise critical defense capabilities but also endanger decades of research and development investment.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the CMMC regulation as it pertains to aerospace manufacturers, key CMMC 2.0 components that aerospace manufacturers must be especially aware of and, finally, best practices aerospace manufacturers should strongly consider to accelerate their CMMC compliance efforts.

CMMC 2.0 Overview and Implications for Aircraft Manufacturers

CMMC 2.0’s streamlined approach to cybersecurity presents specific challenges for the aerospace sector. While the framework has been simplified from five levels to three, the requirements remain rigorous, particularly for organizations handling sophisticated aerospace technologies. For aircraft manufacturers, noncompliance means more than lost contracts – it represents a serious national security risk.

The certification process affects every aspect of aerospace manufacturing operations. Companies must ensure compliance across complex international supply chains, protecting sensitive data while maintaining the collaboration necessary for aircraft development and production. Most aerospace manufacturers will require Level 2 certification, demanding third-party assessment and implementation of 110 security practices across their operations.

Special Considerations for Aerospace Manufacturers

The aerospace industry’s unique operating environment demands special attention to several key areas under CMMC 2.0. Advanced design systems require extraordinary protection, as they contain detailed specifications for military aircraft capabilities. These systems must remain secure while supporting collaboration among geographically dispersed design teams and manufacturing facilities.

The CMMC certification process is arduous but our CMMC 2.0 compliance roadmap can help.

Supply chain security takes on added complexity in aerospace manufacturing. Companies must secure communications with a global network of specialized component manufacturers while protecting proprietary designs and specifications. This includes managing technical data exchange with suppliers of critical systems like avionics, propulsion, and advanced materials.

Research and development data protection presents another crucial challenge. Aerospace manufacturers must safeguard decades of accumulated intellectual property while maintaining efficient access for authorized personnel. This includes protecting test flight data, performance specifications, and manufacturing processes that could reveal sensitive military capabilities.

The integration of digital technologies in modern aircraft adds another layer of security considerations. Manufacturers must protect not only physical manufacturing processes but also the increasingly sophisticated software and electronic systems that control modern military aircraft. This includes securing firmware development processes and protecting against potential vulnerabilities in aircraft control systems.

Best Practices for CMMC Compliance in Aerospace Manufacturing

For aerospace manufacturers in the DIB, achieving CMMC compliance requires a systematic approach that addresses the industry’s unique security challenges. The following best practices provide a framework for protecting sensitive aerospace data while maintaining the operational efficiency demanded by modern aircraft production.

Secure Advanced Design Environments

Aerospace manufacturing begins with sophisticated design systems that require exceptional protection. Organizations must implement comprehensive security measures for their Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) environments. This includes securing complex aerodynamic modeling data, structural analysis systems, and integrated design tools while enabling collaboration among authorized engineering teams across multiple facilities and time zones.

Implement Multi-layer Access Controls

The complexity of aircraft manufacturing demands sophisticated access management systems. Organizations must establish granular controls that account for various user types, from design engineers and production specialists to quality control teams and military liaisons. These controls should incorporate strong authentication measures while maintaining efficient workflows necessary for aircraft production timelines.

Establish Secure International Communications

Aircraft manufacturing often involves international collaboration and supply chain partnerships. Organizations must implement robust secure communication channels that protect technical data exchange across borders while complying with export control regulations. This includes securing video conferencing systems, technical documentation sharing, and real-time collaboration tools used in aircraft development.

Protect Manufacturing Operations

Modern aerospace manufacturing facilities require comprehensive security measures that bridge physical and digital domains. This includes protecting automated manufacturing systems, composite material production processes, and quality control data. Security measures must account for the integration of legacy systems with modern digital technologies while maintaining strict control over sensitive manufacturing processes.

Enhance Supply Chain Integration

The aerospace supply chain requires sophisticated security measures that protect intellectual property while enabling necessary collaboration. Manufacturers must implement secure systems for sharing technical specifications with suppliers, managing component certification data, and tracking parts through the production process. This includes protecting both digital assets and physical components throughout the supply chain.

Strengthen Testing and Certification Protocols

Aircraft certification generates substantial amounts of sensitive data requiring protection. Organizations must secure test flight data, performance measurements, and certification documentation while maintaining accessibility for regulatory compliance. This includes protecting both digital test results and physical testing environments from unauthorized access or observation.

Deploy Comprehensive Data Protection

The long lifecycle of aircraft development and support requires robust data protection strategies. Manufacturers must implement systems that secure technical data throughout its lifecycle, from initial design through long-term maintenance support. This includes protecting historical design data that could reveal military capabilities while maintaining access for authorized maintenance and upgrade activities.

Maintain Continuous Security Monitoring

The complexity of aerospace manufacturing demands sophisticated monitoring systems. Organizations must implement continuous monitoring of both IT and OT environments, detecting potential security incidents while maintaining production efficiency. This includes monitoring design system access, manufacturing operations, and supply chain communications for potential security threats.

Kiteworks Helps Aerospace Manufacturers in the DIB Demonstrate CMMC Compliance with a Private Content Network

For aerospace manufacturers in the DIB, achieving and maintaining CMMC compliance requires a sophisticated approach to securing sensitive data across highly complex design and manufacturing environments. Kiteworks offers a comprehensive solution specifically suited for the unique challenges faced by aerospace manufacturers.

The platform’s secure technical data exchange capabilities address the fundamental needs of aerospace manufacturing. Through end-to-end encryption, Kiteworks enables the secure sharing of large-scale technical files, including complex CAD models, aerodynamic simulation data, and detailed manufacturing specifications. This security extends across the entire data lifecycle, ensuring that sensitive aerospace designs and technical documentation remain protected whether at rest or in transit.

International supply chain communication, a critical concern for aerospace manufacturers, is strengthened through Kiteworks’ comprehensive security features. The platform enables controlled access to technical documentation while automatically enforcing security policies across global operations. The secure web forms and encrypted file transfer capabilities support the complex data exchange requirements of international aerospace supply chains while maintaining strict security controls.

Compliance documentation, particularly challenging in the aerospace sector due to extensive certification requirements, is streamlined through Kiteworks’ centralized audit logging system. The platform maintains detailed records of all data access and transfer activities, simplifying the CMMC audit process while integrating seamlessly with existing aerospace development and manufacturing systems. This comprehensive tracking capability proves particularly valuable when demonstrating compliance across international operations.

Kiteworks’ FedRAMP Moderate Authorization and support for nearly 90% of Level 2 CMMC requirements provides aerospace manufacturers with a proven platform for protecting sensitive defense-related information. The platform’s architecture supports the sophisticated security needs of modern aerospace manufacturing, from protecting proprietary design data to securing international supply chain communications.

For aerospace manufacturers committed to maintaining their position in the defense industrial base, implementing robust cybersecurity measures represents more than a compliance requirement—it’s a strategic imperative. By leveraging comprehensive security solutions like Kiteworks, manufacturers can confidently protect sensitive aerospace technologies while maintaining the efficient collaboration necessary for modern aircraft development and production.

Kiteworks’ ability to integrate with existing manufacturing and design systems, coupled with its strong encryption and access control capabilities, makes it an ideal solution for aerospace manufacturers navigating CMMC compliance. The platform’s comprehensive approach to security enables manufacturers to protect critical aerospace technologies while maintaining the operational efficiency demanded by modern defense programs.

In an industry where protection of intellectual property and sensitive military capabilities is paramount, Kiteworks provides the robust security framework necessary for successful CMMC compliance. This enables aerospace manufacturers to focus on their core mission of developing and producing advanced aircraft systems while maintaining the highest levels of data security required by defense contracts.

To learn more about Kiteworks, schedule a custom demo today.

Additional Resources

• Blog Post A Roadmap for CMMC 2.0 Compliance for DoD Contractors
• Video How CMMC-compliant Content Communications Can Grow Your DoD Business
• White Paper Securing Content Communications for CMMC 2.0
• Webinar Making the Journey to CMMC 2.0 by Protecting FCI and CUI
• Video CMMC 2.0 and Its Impact on the Defense Industrial Base