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

Ship manufacturers represent a vital segment of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), producing everything from aircraft carriers and submarines to unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and specialized naval systems. As the Department of Defense (DoD) implements the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0, these manufacturers face unique compliance challenges that directly impact their ability to participate in defense contracts.

The stakes for ship manufacturers are particularly high. Their operations involve extensive technical data, from hull designs and propulsion systems to advanced sonar technology and classified submarine capabilities. The industry handles vast amounts of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) across extended project lifecycles that can span decades. A security breach could not only compromise critical naval capabilities but also endanger long-term national security interests.

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

CMMC 2.0 Overview and Implications for Ship Manufacturers

CMMC 2.0’s streamlined approach to cybersecurity presents unique challenges for the shipbuilding sector. While the framework has been simplified from five levels to three, the requirements remain rigorous, particularly for organizations handling sophisticated naval technologies. For ship manufacturers, noncompliance means more than lost contracts – it represents a critical gap in maritime defense capabilities.

The certification process impacts every aspect of shipbuilding operations. Companies must ensure compliance across sprawling shipyards, extensive supply chains, and complex international partnerships, all while protecting sensitive data throughout vessels’ multi-decade lifecycles. Most ship manufacturers will require CMMC Level 2 certification, demanding third-party assessment and implementation of 110 security practices across their operations.

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

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

Special Considerations for Ship Manufacturers

The shipbuilding industry’s unique operating environment demands special attention to several key areas under CMMC 2.0. Naval engineering systems require extraordinary protection, as they contain detailed specifications for military vessel capabilities. These systems must remain secure while supporting collaboration among thousands of workers across multiple shipyards, contractors, and military stakeholders.

Best Practices for CMMC Compliance in Shipbuilding Manufacturing

For shipbuilding manufacturers in the DIB, achieving CMMC compliance requires a systematic approach that maps to both the physical and digital complexities of naval vessel production. The following best practices provide a framework for protecting sensitive data throughout the extended lifecycle of shipbuilding projects while addressing the unique challenges of large-scale manufacturing environments. These practices are specifically designed to help shipbuilders maintain effective security controls across sprawling shipyards, extensive supplier networks, and decades-long vessel lifecycles. By implementing these practices, organizations can accelerate their path to CMMC compliance while ensuring the protection of critical naval capabilities.

Implement Comprehensive Facility Security

Organizations should implement an integrated physical-digital security system across their shipyard operations. This begins with deploying electronic access control systems at all entry points to track and authenticate personnel accessing different vessel construction zones. The system must include continuous video monitoring covering all sensitive work areas, particularly those involving classified components, alongside a robust visitor management system for identity verification and real-time tracking.

Within the facility, organizations need to establish secure work zones for classified projects with additional authentication requirements and monitoring. Digital access logs should track both physical presence and system access for all personnel, while security checkpoints between general access areas and sensitive technical spaces provide additional control layers. The system should incorporate intrusion detection covering both perimeter and internal sensitive areas, complemented by secure documentation centers with controlled access for technical specifications and classified information. Each of these components must work together seamlessly to maintain security while enabling efficient shipyard operations.

Establish Multi-Level Access Controls

Organizations should implement a role-based access controls system that precisely maps permissions to job functions within the shipyard. This requires establishing clearly defined user roles based on specific construction responsibilities, integrating with human resources systems to automatically adjust access when personnel change roles or leave the organization.

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) must be implemented for all systems containing technical data or classified information, with additional authentication layers for particularly sensitive systems. Access management should include automated timeout features for inactive sessions and systematic access reviews conducted at least quarterly. Organizations must also implement separate authentication protocols for remote access, with stricter controls for any external connections to shipyard systems.

Secure Technical Documentation Systems

Organizations should deploy a centralized system for managing all technical documentation, from initial design specifications through maintenance procedures. This system must include version control capabilities that track all changes to technical documents, recording who accessed what information and when.

Encryption should be implemented for all technical data both at rest and in transit, with particular attention to protecting classified vessel specifications. The system needs to support secure collaboration features that enable controlled sharing of technical documentation with authorized contractors and military stakeholders while maintaining detailed audit logs of all document access and modifications.

Protect Supply Chain Communications

Organizations must implement secure communication channels for all supplier interactions, using encrypted connections for sharing technical specifications and design requirements. This includes deploying a secure supplier portal that enables controlled access to relevant technical documentation while preventing unauthorized data sharing.

The system should support automated validation of supplier security credentials and maintain detailed logs of all supplier interactions with technical data. Organizations need to implement real-time monitoring of supplier system access, with automated alerts for any unusual patterns or potential security violations.

Enhance Digital System Integration

Organizations should implement a comprehensive security framework for all digital systems involved in vessel construction and testing. This includes deploying secure development environments for vessel control systems, establishing isolated networks for testing and validation, and implementing strict change management procedures for all system modifications.

Security controls must extend to all integrated systems, from propulsion control to weapons systems, with particular attention to protecting interfaces between different subsystems. Organizations need to implement continuous monitoring of all digital systems, with automated alerts for any unauthorized changes or anomalous behavior patterns.

Strengthen Classification Management

Organizations must implement a systematic approach to managing classified information across all shipyard operations. This requires establishing clearly defined security zones for different classification levels, with physical barriers and electronic monitoring systems enforcing separation. Access to classified information should be strictly controlled through a centralized system that tracks all personnel clearances and automatically enforces need-to-know restrictions.

Organizations need to implement secure procedures for handling classified material, including specific protocols for digital storage, physical documentation, and secure disposal. The system should maintain comprehensive audit trails of all interactions with classified information.

Deploy Long-term Data Protection

Organizations should implement a comprehensive data protection strategy that accounts for the full lifecycle of naval vessels. This includes establishing secure archives for all technical documentation, implementing systematic backup procedures with encrypted offline storage, and maintaining secure access to historical design and maintenance data. The system must include protocols for periodic review and validation of archived data, ensuring continued accessibility while maintaining security controls.

Organizations need to implement specific procedures for managing technical data during vessel upgrades and modifications, maintaining security controls throughout the vessel’s operational life.

Maintain Continuous Security Monitoring

Organizations must implement a comprehensive security monitoring system that covers all aspects of shipyard operations. This includes deploying network monitoring tools that track all digital system access and activity, implementing automated alerts for potential security violations, and maintaining continuous surveillance of sensitive work areas. The system should include regular security assessments of all critical systems, with automated vulnerability scanning and systematic review of security controls.

Organizations need to establish a security operations center that provides real-time monitoring and response capabilities, maintaining 24/7 oversight of all security systems and rapid response to potential incidents.

Kiteworks Helps Ship Manufacturers in the DIB Demonstrate CMMC 2.0 Compliance With a Private Content Network

For ship manufacturers in the DIB, achieving and maintaining CMMC compliance requires a sophisticated approach to securing sensitive data across vast production environments. Kiteworks offers a comprehensive solution specifically suited for the unique challenges faced by naval manufacturers.

The platform’s secure technical data exchange capabilities address the fundamental needs of shipbuilding operations. Through end-to-end encryption, Kiteworks enables the secure sharing of large-scale technical files, including complex ship designs, engineering specifications, and detailed construction documentation. This security extends across the entire vessel lifecycle, ensuring that sensitive naval designs and technical documentation remain protected whether at rest or in transit.

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

Compliance documentation, particularly challenging in the shipbuilding sector due to extensive certification requirements and long project lifecycles, 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 shipyard systems. This comprehensive tracking capability proves particularly valuable when demonstrating compliance across large-scale operations.

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

For ship 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 naval technologies while maintaining the efficient collaboration necessary for modern shipbuilding operations.

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

To learn more about Kiteworks for CMMC 2.0 compliance, schedule a custom demo today.

Additional Resources

• Blog Post CMMC Compliance for Small Businesses: Challenges and Solutions
• Blog Post If You Need to Comply With CMMC 2.0, Here Is Your Complete CMMC Compliance Checklist
• Blog Post CMMC Audit Requirements: What Assessors Need to See When Gauging Your CMMC Readiness
• Guide CMMC 2.0 Compliance Mapping for Sensitive Content Communications
• Blog Post 12 Things Defense Industrial Base Suppliers Need to Know When Preparing for CMMC 2.0 Compliance