How Oceus Achieved a Perfect CMMC Level 2 Score with Drata and Bright Defense
Challenge
- Needed to achieve CMMC Level 2 and address all 110 NIST 800-171 controls.
- Small IT/Security team balancing multiple duty areas and limited bandwidth.
- High scrutiny and complexity of preparing for a C3PAO formal assessment.
- Required both strategic guidance and hands-on execution support to manage the process end-to-end.
Solution
- Partnered with Bright Defense for advisory leadership, gap analysis, remediation planning, and readiness.
- Implemented Drata’s Continuous Control Monitoring to maintain real-time visibility into compliance posture.
- Leveraged Evidence Collection Automation to centralize documentation and reduce manual effort for the Oceus team during preparations for their assessment.
Impact Highlights
- Perfect 110/110 CMMC Level 2 Score validated by the C3PAO.
- Reduced manual workload through automated evidence collection and control monitoring.
- Shortened security due diligence cycles and strengthened competitive position in the DoD supply chain.
- Operationalized compliance processes, reducing reliance on spreadsheets and ad-hoc communication.
- Established momentum for additional frameworks, with ISO 27001 already underway.
Background
Oceus delivers secure, reliable telecommunications solutions to government and defense organizations, specializing in advanced broadband and 5G capabilities for mission-critical environments. Operating within the Department of Defense supply chain, the company views cybersecurity and compliance as strategic pillars of its business.
As the DoD advanced the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program, Oceus recognized the opportunity to establish itself early as a trusted leader by proactively pursuing CMMC Level 2 certification. The organization sought not only to meet the standard but to build sustainable processes that would support long-term resilience and future certifications.
“As a small business, IT and Security members maintain multiple duty areas. We had the aspiration to go beyond compliance and adapt early to CMMC. Bright Defense brought their expertise and organization to complete the formula for success. We couldn’t be prouder of our team that wouldn’t quit.”
Automating Evidence Collection and Control Monitoring
Meeting the rigorous expectations of CMMC Level 2 required Oceus to streamline documentation, reduce manual evidence gathering, and maintain ongoing visibility into control effectiveness. Drata enabled this through automated evidence collection, centralized documentation, and continuous control monitoring across all relevant NIST 800-171 requirements.
This automation minimized the operational burden on the organization's small security team and helped Bright Defense efficiently identify gaps, manage remediation, and maintain alignment across teams throughout the certification process.
Establishing a Confident, Organized Path Through the C3PAO Assessment
The C3PAO assessment introduced a high level of scrutiny and required comprehensive readiness. Bright Defense served as the primary advisory partner, structuring Oceus’ roadmap and conducting readiness reviews, while Drata’s continuous monitoring set the stage for the team to efficiently manage their readiness and evidence collection leading up to the formal assessment.
This collaborative approach ensured that Oceus entered the assessment period with a fully documented and transparent view of its compliance posture, and resulted in clear next steps for maturing their program with even more automation, collaboration, and sustained CMMC compliance over time.
“We turned to Bright Defense for their expertise. Impressive is their attention to detail and diligence in ensuring that our process, procedures and technical implementation met or exceeded each requirement.”
Strengthening Long-Term Resilience and Ongoing Compliance
Beyond achieving certification, Oceus now benefits from an operationalized compliance program supported by Drata’s automation and Bright Defense’s continuous compliance services. Drata’s Trust Center and Supply Chain Risk Management capabilities are helping to centralize communication with customers and partners, while continuous monitoring prevents erosion of control effectiveness between audits and assessments.
This maturity-focused approach positioned Oceus for long-term success across the DoD ecosystem and set the foundation for pursuing ISO 27001 as its next major milestone.
What Drata is unlocking for Oceus' GRC Team
- Real-time visibility into compliance progress and gaps
- Centralized evidence and documentation across 110 NIST 800-171 controls
- Automated monitoring that reduces risk of falling out of alignment between audit and assessment cycles
- A unified platform supporting Trust Center and Supply Chain Risk Management
- Faster, more organized communication for stakeholders, including the Bright Defense advisory team.
Future Outlook
Building on its perfect CMMC Level 2 score, Oceus is now partnering with Bright Defense to pursue ISO 27001 certification, using Drata to support a fully integrated, scalable compliance program that strengthens its position across the defense supply chain. They are continually utilizing more Drata capabilities, like Risk Management, Trust Center, and Vendor Risk Management to consolidate processes across frameworks moving forward.
“Drata not only delivers Oceus with a platform for team collaboration, employee compliance, and evidence consolidation for our cybersecurity frameworks, Drata simultaneously hosts our Trust Center and Supply Chain Risk Management program. Drata enhances our ability to achieve and maintain CMMC compliance.”
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