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Top 7 CMMC Compliance Software Solutions for Small Defense Contractors

by Danielle Barbour updated February 2, 2026 CMMC Compliance

Reading Time: 7 minutes

Small defense contractors need CMMC compliance software to protect CUI, win and retain DoD contracts, and avoid costly audit delays. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the Department of Defense framework that standardizes cybersecurity practices among defense suppliers. It aligns with NIST 800-171 controls, requires third-party assessment at CMMC Level 2 for most CUI handlers, and mandates protection of CUI at rest and in transit across systems and workflows.

This post explains why CMMC compliance software matters, how it accelerates readiness for CMMC Level 2, and what to expect from leading platforms—from GRC automation to CUI-first security. Readers will learn how each vendor helps reduce manual effort, streamline audits, and safeguard CUI across workflows.

Table of Contents

Executive Summary

Main idea: Seven leading solutions help small defense contractors achieve CMMC Level 2 readiness by automating evidence collection, enabling assessor collaboration, and securing CUI during storage and transmission.
Why you should care: The right mix of GRC automation and CUI-first protection reduces audit risk, accelerates compliance timelines, and lowers cost—so you can focus on delivery while meeting DoD expectations.

Key Takeaways

Automation shrinks audit timelines. Platforms like Vanta, Secureframe, and Sprinto cut manual evidence collection and streamline assessor collaboration, turning weeks of prep into days.
CUI protection is essential, not optional. Tools such as Kiteworks close the gap between compliance tracking and securing CUI in email, file transfer, and storage with encryption and granular controls.
Map once, reuse evidence. Cross-framework capabilities in Hyperproof and Secureframe reduce duplication across CMMC, NIST, ISO 27001, and SOC 2.
Cloud-native checks matter. Scrut translates cloud misconfigurations into prioritized CMMC remediation tasks tied to CIS benchmarks.
Fit tools to team size and workflows. No-code options like Onspring and prescriptive platforms like Sprinto help small teams stay audit-ready with minimal disruption.

Why Choosing the Right CMMC Compliance Software Solution is Critical

The right CMMC compliance platform reduces manual effort through evidence collection automation, gives assessors auditor-friendly portals for transparent reviews, and provides explicit CUI security for email, file sharing, and storage.

Automation and workflow integration limit business disruption and lower the total cost of compliance—Secureframe reports 53% of users accelerated time to compliance by 76% or more through automation and continuous monitoring (84%) and evidence automation (79%) adoption.

Below we review seven leading CMMC solutions, from GRC platforms to specialized CUI security, with candid trade-offs for small-business readiness.

CMMC 2.0 Compliance Roadmap for DoD Contractors

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CMMC Vendor Feature Comparison

Vendor	CUI protection (email, file sharing, storage)	Automated evidence collection	Auditor collaboration portal	Continuous monitoring	Cross-framework mapping	Deployment options	Notable strength for small contractors
Kiteworks	Yes (CUI-first collaboration; encryption; access controls)	Evidence-ready reporting and logs	Yes (time-bounded auditor access)	Yes (policy enforcement, activity logging)	Limited (pairs with GRC tools)	Cloud, on-prem, hybrid	Unifies secure file sharing, MFT, and CUI governance with full chain-of-custody
Vanta	No (pairs with CUI platforms)	Yes (375+ integrations; 1,200+ tests)	Yes	Yes	Yes	SaaS	Scale automation and assessor-ready evidence
Secureframe	No (pairs with CUI platforms)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	SaaS	Remediation guidance and cross-framework alignment
Scrut	No (cloud focus; pairs with CUI platforms)	Yes (cloud configs, CIS benchmarks)	Limited/not specified	Yes	Maps findings to CMMC	SaaS	Cloud-native monitoring tied to CMMC practices
Sprinto	No (pairs with CUI platforms)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	SaaS	Auditor collaboration and real-time readiness
Hyperproof	No (pairs with CUI platforms)	Integrates for evidence management	Yes	Via integrations	Yes	SaaS	Multi-framework reuse and analytics
Onspring	No (pairs with CUI platforms)	Workflow-driven	Configurable	Via workflows	Customizable	Cloud	No-code workflows and supplier oversight

Note: Capabilities reflect descriptions in this post and may vary by edition and integrations.

Kiteworks

Kiteworks delivers a Private Data Network that unifies secure file sharing, secure managed file transfer (MFT), virtual data rooms, and CUI governance—closing the gap traditional GRC tools leave between control tracking and the actual protection of sensitive data. Controlled Unclassified Information is federal information that, while not classified, requires safeguarding per law and regulation; CMMC Level 2 requires strong protections for CUI both in storage and during transmission.

Key capabilities for small defense contractors:

CUI-first collaboration: SafeVIEW enables view-only, watermarked access to sensitive files; SafeEDIT supports in-place editing in a controlled, logged environment—minimizing data sprawl while preserving productivity.
End-to-end encryption and zero-trust access: Granular policies, device and identity verification, and role-based controls help meet CMMC practices for access control, audit, and incident response.
Auditor access with chain-of-custody: Detailed, immutable audit trails for every file, transfer, and user action; time-bounded auditor accounts expose exactly the evidence assessors need without exposing broader systems.
Evidence-ready reporting: Built-in dashboards and exportable logs demonstrate enforcement of safeguards like multi-factor authentication, encryption, and least privilege across users and workflows.
Integration and deployment flexibility: Connects with Office 365 and common identity providers; available in cloud, on-prem, and hybrid deployments to fit resource-constrained IT teams.

For a deeper comparison of CMMC security vendors, see Kiteworks’ analysis of CMMC compliance security vendors.

Vanta

Vanta emphasizes high-scale automation for CMMC Level 2 readiness. It connects to 375+ systems—cloud platforms, identity providers, CI/CD, and endpoints—to centralize automated evidence collection and runs 1,200+ automated tests mapped to CMMC requirements, drastically cutting manual work and spreadsheet churn. Automated evidence collection means the platform continuously pulls configuration, activity, and control state directly from integrated systems, reducing human error and keeping artifacts perpetually up to date.

Vanta also offers a real-time, read-only auditor portal so assessors can self-serve evidence, leave comments, and resolve findings without email back-and-forth—an approach that can shorten reviews from roughly 10 days to as few as 2 days, according to vendor guidance and independent Level 2 tool overviews. See Vanta’s CMMC product overview for details.

Comparison: manual vs. automated with Vanta

Control mapping: Manual control-by-control mapping vs. pre-mapped CMMC tests with automated status.
Evidence gathering: Ticket-and-screenshot collection vs. live system pulls and continuous updates.
Access reviews: Ad hoc exports vs. policy-driven user access attestations and alerts.
Auditor collaboration: Email threads and zip files vs. read-only portal with in-line comments and remediation tracking.

Secureframe

Secureframe is a strong option for automating routine compliance tasks and accelerating CMMC progress. Reported outcomes include 53% of users speeding time to compliance by 76% or more, with 84% citing continuous monitoring and 79% prioritizing automated evidence collection as the most valuable features. Ninety-seven percent say their compliance posture improved—key for small teams that must demonstrate steady control maturity.

Secureframe’s remediation guidance provides step-by-step instructions to close gaps surfaced by automated tests, and its cross-framework benchmarking helps contractors align overlapping controls across CMMC, NIST, and SOC 2 with less duplication. Note that while Secureframe prepares you operationally—integrations, testing, workflows—it does not itself collect or store CUI, so many contractors pair it with a secure CUI platform for file transfer, email, and storage. See Secureframe’s analysis on manual vs. automated approaches for small businesses.

Scrut

Scrut focuses on cloud infrastructure monitoring—ideal for cloud-native small contractors. It continuously checks configurations against 230+ CIS benchmarks and maps findings directly to CMMC practices, turning cloud misconfigurations into clear, prioritized remediation tasks for Level 2 readiness. CIS benchmarks are industry-standard configuration baselines that harden systems like AWS, Azure, Linux, and containers.

Scrut’s daily workflow for compliance assurance:

Connect cloud accounts and identity providers.
Run daily checks against relevant CIS benchmarks.
Map findings to specific CMMC practices and controls.
Trigger remediation tasks with owners, due dates, and evidence requirements.
Validate fixes automatically and update dashboards for auditors.

This approach gives small teams actionable visibility, daily checks, and CMMC mapping without building custom scripts. Explore Scrut’s overview of CMMC automation tools for DoD contractors.

Sprinto

Sprinto prioritizes auditor collaboration and continuous monitoring to keep small organizations audit-ready, not just audit-prepared. An auditor collaboration portal centralizes evidence review, comments, and clarifications, streamlining back-and-forth and reducing rework. Continuous monitoring validates CMMC controls in real time—so drift is caught early, not discovered during assessment.

For teams that value simplicity plus assessor transparency, Sprinto’s readiness workflows, automated alerts, and live control status deliver day-to-day clarity on where you stand against CMMC Level 2. See Sprinto’s rundown of top CMMC software features and use cases.

Hyperproof

Hyperproof shines when you manage multiple frameworks—CMMC, NIST, ISO, SOC 2—and need to minimize duplicated effort. Its cross-mapping lets you align overlapping controls so evidence collected once can satisfy multiple standards, while customizable workflows and analytics track CMMC progress, owners, and deadlines across programs.

This flexibility is powerful for complex environments or prime contractors coordinating with subs, though it may require more initial configuration than prescriptive, automation-first tools. For small teams planning long-term growth across frameworks, Hyperproof’s reuse of evidence and control rationalization can pay dividends in sustained efficiency.

Onspring

Onspring combines workflow automation with no-code configurability to fit the unique processes of small contractors. Reported outcomes show up to 70% time savings through automation—especially useful for approvals, corrective actions, and recurring control tasks. As a no-code platform, it allows users to tailor forms, fields, and workflows without programming.

Practical ways Onspring streamlines CMMC and supplier oversight:

Centralize controls, risks, and POA&Ms with automated reminders.
Track subcontractor CMMC status in a supplier registry and trigger escalations for expiring certifications.
Route policy approvals and access requests through tailored, auditable workflows.
Generate dashboards and exports for assessor-ready reporting.

See TechnologyCounter’s summary of top CMMC Level 2 software options for time-saving examples.

Kiteworks for CMMC Compliance

Small defense contractors need both operational readiness and airtight CUI protection to pass CMMC Level 2. GRC tools automate evidence and audits, but only CUI-first platforms close the protection gap across email, file transfer, VDRs, and storage. Kiteworks helps unify these channels into a Private Data Network with end-to-end encryption, granular access controls, immutable audit trails, and time-bounded auditor access—reducing sprawl and simplifying assessments.

For small businesses, Kiteworks provides rapid time-to-value with policy enforcement mapped to CMMC/NIST 800-171 practices, consolidated chain-of-custody, and deployment flexibility (cloud, on-prem, hybrid) to align with customer and regulatory requirements. Pair your GRC automation with Kiteworks’ CUI governance to demonstrate least privilege, MFA, encryption, and activity logging across workflows.

To learn more about CMMC compliance for small defense contractors, schedule a custom demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions

For small defense contractors required to demonstrate CMMC compliance, features including automated evidence collection, auditor-friendly portals, and robust CUI protection across storage, file transfer, and email should top the list. Look for continuous monitoring, pre-mapped CMMC controls, and clear remediation guidance to reduce manual effort. Ensure the stack pairs GRC automation with a CUI-first platform like Kiteworks that enforces encryption, granular access, and complete audit logs across all data exchange channels.

They centralize control mapping, automate evidence pulls from integrated systems, and continuously monitor configurations to flag drift early. Auditor portals let assessors self-serve, comment, and resolve findings without email loops, accelerating reviews from days to hours. Combined with remediation workflows, dashboards, and alerts, small teams spend less time chasing screenshots and more time closing gaps.

Yes. Most platforms provide guided onboarding, pre-mapped CMMC controls, integrations, and remediation playbooks that lean teams can run themselves. While complex environments may still benefit from targeted expertise, many small contractors achieve audit readiness in-house by pairing a prescriptive GRC tool with a CUI-first security platform to cover both documentation and operational safeguards.

Budgets commonly range from a few thousand to over $30,000 per year, depending on features, user counts, integrations, and deployment model. Factor total cost of ownership: implementation, training, and potential add-ons for CUI security. Many small contractors pair a GRC platform with a CUI-first solution like Kiteworks to balance automation, protection, and audit efficiency without overspending.

Leading tools, including Kiteworks, pair governance with CUI security—secure file transfer, end-to-end encrypted email and storage, granular access controls, and complete audit trails aligned to CMMC. GRC platforms validate policies and evidence, while CUI-first solutions enforce controls in daily operations. Together, they demonstrate encryption, MFA, least privilege, logging, and incident response across all CUI handling workflows.

Additional Resources