Bridging the Gap: How Non-Technical Professionals can lead CMMC Compliance Efforts 

Bridging the Gap: How Non-Technical Professionals can lead CMMC Compliance Efforts 

 
Transitioning from healthcare to cybersecurity compliance at a previous employer was initially overwhelming. My first week involved a SOC 2 and HITRUST readiness assessment, exposing me to unfamiliar terms like Kubernetes, JFrog, and Docker. I questioned my fit in this technical space but soon realized that strong compliance fundamentals are transferable across industries. By collaborating, asking questions, and documenting processes, I found that non-technical compliance expertise supports cybersecurity efforts across various frameworks, including CMMC. 

Achieving cybersecurity certifications, including CMMC, isn’t solely an IT responsibility, it requires organization-wide collaboration. Non-technical professionals are essential in driving compliance and ensuring CMMC requirements are met. 

Here are key ways non-technical professionals can support CMMC compliance: 

• Ask Insightful Questions 
  You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to add value. Asking the right questions helps uncover gaps and clarify responsibilities. Focus on CMMC-specific processes, such as: How do we handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)? How are access controls documented and enforced? What is our incident response plan? These questions promote accountability and align efforts with CMMC requirements. 

• Facilitate Collaboration Across Teams 
  CMMC compliance requires input from IT, HR, operations, and leadership. Lead cross-departmental discussions, ensuring that security practices meet CMMC controls and policies. By connecting technical requirements with business objectives, you help bridge the gap between policy and execution. 

• Take Ownership of Compliance Processes 
  You don’t need to implement security controls directly to contribute. Manage CMMC documentation, track assessment milestones, and ensure that Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) tasks stay on schedule. Your project management skills keep the compliance process on track. 

• Connect Compliance to Business Outcomes 
  CMMC isn’t just about passing an audit—it’s about helping customers secure government contracts, protecting sensitive data, and maintaining a competitive edge. By aligning compliance efforts with business goals, you help the organization see CMMC as a strategic advantage, not just an obligation. 

The Bottom Line: 
Non-technical professionals are essential for CMMC success. By asking the right questions, promoting collaboration, and driving processes, you help transform CMMC compliance from a daunting task into a well-managed initiative that protects your business and supports growth.