When the Department of Defense introduced the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), it set off a wave of confusion across the defense industrial base. Contractors and subcontractors alike wondered if they needed to hire a certified third-party assessor to keep their contracts. Many believed that compliance meant scrambling for scarce, expensive audits.
The truth, however, is simpler. At CMMC Level 1, the obligations are always self-assessed. Companies must affirm that they meet 15 specific controls to protect Federal Contract Information, conduct an annual self-assessment, and maintain defensible evidence. No outside auditor is required at this stage. But that does not mean the process is trivial. A self-assessment is legally binding, and mistakes can result in severe penalties.
This gap between perception and reality is exactly where Opsfolio operates. Founded by serial entrepreneur Shahid Shah, Opsfolio delivers comprehensive cybersecurity compliance solutions, starting with SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 certifications and extending to CMMC requirements. The company’s model combines proprietary software, artificial intelligence, and expert implementation, offering startups and mid-sized contractors a way to eliminate compliance friction without derailing growth.
A Service-Led Strategy
Shah has spent decades building technology ventures and working with government agencies and enterprise clients. With Opsfolio, he has adopted a service-led go-to-market strategy. Instead of asking customers to buy a tool and figure it out, Opsfolio begins with high-touch implementation. Teams of experts guide organizations through the intricacies of compliance, validating demand, and building trust quickly.
Once customers experience the value of the service, they are transitioned into a scalable subscription model that maintains compliance over time. It is a deliberate inversion of the typical software-first approach. Shah recognized that compliance is not a checkbox exercise. It is a trust exercise. Winning that trust requires direct involvement before automation can take over.
The Stakes of Getting It Wrong
Consider the case of CMMC Level 1. A company providing something as simple and straightforward as printing services for government manuals may not consider itself part of the defense supply chain. Yet if it handles Federal Contract Information (FCI), it must comply with CMMC. If the company treats compliance as optional or attempts a superficial self-assessment, it risks more than losing contracts. The Department of Justice has prosecuted firms under the False Claims Act for submitting inaccurate attestations.
This dynamic makes compliance a high-stakes endeavor. It is not enough to submit a score. Contractors must maintain clear, defensible records that can withstand audits and supply chain scrutiny. Opsfolio’s platform was designed as a centralized system of record for this very reason.
Reducing Complexity Through Design
Compliance often feels like navigating a maze of technical jargon, contradictory guidance, and escalating costs. Contractors must decide whether to invest in solutions like virtual desktop infrastructure, government-furnished equipment, or more sophisticated network segmentation. Each path comes with trade-offs: upfront cost versus long-term auditability, user experience versus scope reduction, simplicity versus flexibility.
Shah is candid about how most organizations misjudge these trade-offs. Many people are unaware that CMMC covers them. Others fail to reduce their compliance surface area and end up protecting far more infrastructure than necessary. Opsfolio’s philosophy is to meet companies where they are, simplify their obligations, and map a clear path forward. By integrating AI-driven tools with seasoned compliance experts, the company makes abstract requirements tangible and achievable.
Unlocking Revenue by Removing Friction
Opsfolio’s mission is not just about securing systems. It is about preserving DoD contracts. For contractors, compliance can be the barrier that prevents closing a contract or entering a new market. Large enterprises have in-house teams to manage regulatory hurdles, but small and mid-sized firms often find themselves paralyzed.
By delivering compliance as a service, Opsfolio reframes it as a growth enabler. Customers gain the confidence to pursue government contracts and enterprise deals, knowing they can pass audits and meet regulatory obligations. The result is not just peace of mind but accelerated revenue.
Building a Scalable Future
Opsfolio’s approach reflects a broader shift in how companies think about compliance. Once seen as a defensive cost center, it is now a strategic requirement. With regulatory scrutiny on the rise and supply chains demanding greater transparency, compliance has become a prerequisite for growth.
Shah envisions Opsfolio as more than a consultant or software vendor. It is a long-term partner for defense contractors that want to scale securely. By blending proprietary tools with practical expertise, the company is building a model that adapts to evolving standards while remaining accessible to resource-constrained organizations.
The Bigger Picture
In the early stages of CMMC, many contractors were consumed by fear. Headlines about auditor shortages and costly certifications dominated the narrative. Opsfolio’s value lies in cutting through that noise. The message is direct: compliance is serious, but it does not have to be complicated. With proper guidance, even the smallest contractors can achieve defensible and sustainable compliance.
For Shah, the stakes are as personal as they are professional. He has seen defense contractors struggle not because of their capabilities but because of operational blind spots. Compliance is one of those blind spots. By streamlining processes, Opsfolio helps contractors stay on track, ensuring they can secure contracts and manage risk without unnecessary friction.
The lesson extends beyond cybersecurity. In an era where meeting regulatory standards can determine eligibility for key contracts, contractors that integrate compliance into their operations gain a strategic advantage. Opsfolio is helping organizations not just meet requirements, but position themselves to win opportunities while managing risk effectively.
To get started, companies can try Opsfolio’s free Self-Assessment Tool. Visit opsfolio.com/regime/cmmc and click “Start CMMC Self-Assessment.”
