For many organizations in the defense supply chain, third-party vendors are essential for daily operations. Whether it’s outsourced IT support, document translation, or supply logistics, these vendors often need access to internal systems or sensitive data. However, that access can create unintentional compliance risks.
Regulations like the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) emphasize accountability—not just within an organization, but across its entire network of partners and vendors. If a third-party vendor mishandles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), it could result in a compliance violation for the primary contractor.
To help manage this risk, some organizations segment access and use specialized environments like a CMMC enclave. By isolating CUI in a controlled space, organizations can restrict vendor access to only the resources they need—without compromising compliance.
This kind of architecture helps reduce audit scope and strengthens overall governance. As supply chains become more connected and complex, thinking ahead about vendor access isn’t just smart—it’s essential.