The finalization of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) has reshaped cybersecurity compliance for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), demanding a shift from self-attestation to third-party validation. This session, led by experts from Redspin, the first authorized CMMC 3rd Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) and the most experienced assessor in the ecosystem, will explore the evolving landscape of CMMC, lessons learned from real-world assessments, and the common pitfalls that prevent certification. Attendees will gain insights into identifying and securing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), managing external service providers, and preparing for the certification bottleneck. It will also look at CMMC beyond certification, and even the DoD.