I explain why “CMMC Version 3” buzz is confusing and focus on current security action items.

If you work with the Department of Defense, you have probably heard of CMMC. In simple terms, it is a security rule set that tells companies how to protect sensitive government data, like design files and contract details.

Lately, I see more small businesses get stuck on one thing. Some articles talk about “CMMC 2.0.” Others say “CMMC 2.x.” Vendors throw in “CMMC Version 3” for good measure. The result is the same: confusion, delays, and a real fear of losing contracts.

I write this as a small-business IT and cybersecurity partner, not a government lawyer. At RVA Tech Visions, my team helps local offices, shops, and restaurants secure their systems, pass audits, and keep DoD work flowing. My job is to translate government rules into plain language and clear action.

In this post, I will explain why people keep saying “Version 3,” what is actually changing in CMMC, and what it means for your small business. By the end, you will walk away with less confusion, clearer next steps, and a sense of where my team can step in to help.

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First Things First: What CMMC Is And Why The Version Number Matters

High-level view of CMMC levels and a business owner reviewing a DoD contract. Image created with AI.

CMMC stands for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. It is a program from the U.S. Department of Defense that checks whether companies protect controlled unclassified information, or CUI, along with other sensitive data they handle for DoD work.

Think of it as a security checklist the DoD can trust. If you want certain contracts, you must show you meet the right level of that checklist.

Version numbers matter because they tell you three things:

• Which security controls you must follow
• What an audit or assessment will look like
• When and how your contracts will change

For a small business, those version numbers connect directly to revenue and risk. The clearer the rules, the easier it is to avoid surprise costs, pass assessments, and win new DoD work. The Department of Defense explains the current CMMC structure on its official site at Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification – DoD CIO.

Simple CMMC Overview For Small Business Owners

Here is the short, real-world version.

CMMC sets security levels, from basic hygiene to more advanced protection. Today, that mainly means Level 1 and Level 2 for most small businesses. Level 1 covers basic safeguards for general contract data. Level 2 is where CUI shows up and where most of the heavy lifting lives.

CMMC builds on an existing standard called NIST SP 800-171. The government used that standard for years, but it mostly relied on “trust but verify yourself.” CMMC adds more formal checks, including third-party assessments at certain levels.

For a small business, this might mean:

• Protecting design files for a part used in a DoD system
• Locking down pricing sheets and vendor lists that tie into defense work
• Keeping email, Teams chats, and shared documents secure inside Microsoft 365

If you want a deeper look at how CMMC 2.0 maps to current rules, the DoD shares more detail at CMMC 2.0 Details and Links to Key Resources.

Why CMMC Keeps Changing Over Time

Security is not a “set it and forget it” job. Threats change, tools change, and the government learns from each round of implementation.

A quick timeline helps:

• CMMC 1.0 came out first. It had five levels and a lot of overlap.
• CMMC 2.0 simplified the model and tied it tightly to NIST SP 800-171.
• In 2025, the DoD began phasing CMMC into real contracts through updated DFARS rules.

Those DFARS changes are what pull CMMC out of PowerPoint decks and into actual contract clauses. If you want to see how that rollout ties into regulations, there is a solid summary in DFARS Changes to Integrate CMMC Requirements Effective November 10.

Each time the government refines CMMC, the goal is to do three things: remove extra work where controls overlap, match current threats, and keep the focus on data that really matters. Good core practices like strong passwords, backups, and access control do not go away. They get clearer, not weaker.

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Why You Keep Seeing “CMMC Version 3” In Articles And Tools

A business owner trying to make sense of CMMC 2.0, 2.x, and “Version 3”. Image created with AI.

As of late 2025, the official name from the Department of Defense is still CMMC 2.0, sometimes written as CMMC 2.x in rule text. You can see this language on the DoD’s own pages, like the overview at CMMC 2.0 Details and Links to Key Resources and the program site at About CMMC – DoD CIO.

So where does “Version 3” come from? Mostly from industry blogs, tool vendors, and some consultants who want to talk about the “next round” of CMMC changes in simple terms. Instead of saying “future updates based on NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3 and rulemaking,” they shorten it to “CMMC Version 3.”

Here is how that can look in practice:

Term you see	Who usually uses it	What it really means in plain language
CMMC 2.0	DoD, contracts, lawyers	Current official model and rules in effect
CMMC 2.x	DoD rule text, some analysts	Same as 2.0, but leaves room for small refinements
CMMC “Version 3”	Vendors, blogs, webinars	Shorthand for future CMMC updates tied to new NIST and DoD guidance

The key point: the nickname does not matter as much as the controls your contract calls for and the official DoD guidance behind them.

How CMMC 2.0 Turned Into Talk About 2.x And “Version 3”

Once the CMMC 2.0 rule was drafted, updated, and moved toward final contract use, small tweaks started to appear. Minor clarifications, refined scoping examples, updated guidance for assessors.

Some people began calling that “CMMC 2.1” or “CMMC 2.x.” Marketing teams saw attention around “what’s next” and jumped ahead with “CMMC Version 3.” It sounds fresh, gets clicks, and gives vendors a way to pitch “next generation” tools.

From where I sit, supporting small businesses every week, this language jump creates noise. Owners start asking, “Do I need to redo everything again?” when in reality, the core requirements barely moved.

So I keep my clients focused on what counts:

• What does the official CMMC model say today?
• What does your contract or prime contractor flow down to you?
• How close are your current controls to that target?

Official CMMC vs Vendor Buzzwords: What I Actually Need To Follow

You do not have to become a policy expert to tell official terms from buzzwords. A simple rule helps: if it comes from a .gov site, it is official. If it comes from a vendor blog, treat it as commentary.

For official guidance, I always start with:

• The CMMC program home at Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification – DoD CIO
• The “About” section at About CMMC – DoD CIO
• The model overview PDF shared by DoD, plus the Level 2 assessment guide

Those documents drive what assessors look for and how contracts will read. Vendors like me build tools and services on top of that, but we do not set the rules.

At RVA Tech Visions, my team tracks every update from the official sources, including the DoD’s own CMMC Alignment to NIST Standards. Then we translate that into an action plan in plain language; “here is what you need to do this quarter” instead of “here is a 200‑page PDF, good luck.”

What “Version 3” Usually Refers To In Practical Terms

When vendors or blogs say “CMMC Version 3,” they are usually pointing to the next big set of changes, not a totally new program. In real life, that often means:

• Tighter alignment with the new NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3 standard
• Clearer rules about what systems and data are “in scope” for CMMC
• More focus on logging, monitoring, and early threat detection
• Extra pressure on supply chain security, including your own vendors
• Cleaner expectations around documentation, policy, and training

The NIST team has already published the latest version of 800-171, which you can see at SP 800-171 Rev. 3, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information. CMMC will track that direction through official rulemaking, which is what many people loosely call “Version 3.”

For your business, this is less about a new name and more about staying current with good, basic security.

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What The Next Round Of CMMC Changes Means For My Small Business

When I talk with owners, from small manufacturers to local restaurants that support DoD contractors, they all care about the same things:

• “Will this cost me a fortune?”
• “Will I lose contracts if I guess wrong?”
• “Can my small team actually handle this?”

The good news is that CMMC refinements usually build on work you should be doing anyway. Strong passwords, backups, updates, and access control help with CMMC and protect your business from everyday threats like ransomware.

Here is how likely “Version 3” style changes could affect you:

• Self-assessments might ask for better proof and cleaner scoring.
• Third-party assessments may expect more complete logs and records.
• Documentation will matter more, not just “we do that,” but “we do that, and here is how we track it.”
• Daily IT habits, like patching and user clean-up, will start to show up as clear pass or fail items.

My focus with clients is simple: control costs, reduce risk, and keep you contract-ready without turning your office into a compliance lab.

Likely CMMC “Version 3” Shifts In Plain Language

Here are a few areas I expect to stay in the spotlight as CMMC matures:

• Updated NIST controls: Some controls will change or combine as NIST 800-171 Rev 3 settles in. Example: clearer rules around where CUI can live in your network.
• Stronger logging and monitoring: You may need better records of who logged in, from where, and what they did on key systems.
• Tighter access control: Users should only see what they need for their job. That means cleaning up old accounts and shared logins.
• More focus on cloud security: If you use Microsoft 365, Teams, or cloud-based line-of-business apps, settings like MFA and data loss prevention will matter more.
• Clearer requirements for policies and training: You will need simple, written rules plus proof that staff actually received training.

None of this requires a massive security team. With the right setup and some automation, a small office can hit these marks in a steady, planned way.

How These CMMC Updates Affect Cloud Apps And Office 365

Small business team working in cloud apps with strong security controls. Image created with AI.

Most of my clients already live in the cloud. They use Microsoft 365 for email and Teams, SharePoint and OneDrive for files, and cloud POS or kitchen systems in their restaurants. That is exactly where CMMC pressure shows up.

The right configuration in these tools can close a huge chunk of CMMC gaps:

• Turning on multi-factor authentication for all accounts
• Using role-based access, so staff only see what they need
• Setting clear file sharing rules, so CUI does not leak to personal devices
• Enforcing encryption on laptops, tablets, and phones that touch DoD work
• Building regular backups and retention policies into SharePoint, OneDrive, and POS data

At RVA Tech Visions, we specialize in Office 365 migrations, secure cloud architecture, and ongoing management. I like to treat Microsoft 365 as your security hub, not just your email platform. If we harden those tools and connect your POS and other apps the right way, CMMC compliance gets much easier.

Cost, Time, And Staffing: What I Should Plan For Now

Waiting for a formal “Version 3” label is a trap. While you wait, contracts are already adding CMMC language and the gap between your current setup and requirements can grow.

I guide clients using three simple planning buckets:

• Quick wins in 30 days: Turn on MFA, clean up old accounts, standardize backups, and apply missing critical updates.
• Deeper work over 3 to 6 months: Tune cloud security settings, improve network layout, roll out better endpoint protection, and write basic policies.
• Annual review: Recheck your controls, test your incident response plan, refresh training, and adjust to any new CMMC guidance.

You do not need to hire a full-time security team for this. Working with a local partner like RVA Tech Visions lets you spread cost over time, avoid rework, and reduce staff stress. Your team can stay focused on running the business while we keep an eye on the controls, logs, and paperwork auditors care about.

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How I Can Get Ready For CMMC “Version 3” Without Starting Over

Simple roadmap for building and keeping CMMC readiness over time. Image created with AI.

Here is the biggest message I want you to hear: you do not need to start from zero every time the label changes. Whether people call it CMMC 2.0, 2.x, or “Version 3,” the core goal stays the same. Protect sensitive data so you can win and keep DoD work.

The roadmap I use with clients at RVA Tech Visions looks like this: assess, prioritize, fix, document, then maintain. It works across versions because it focuses on real security, not just checkboxes.

Step 1: Map What I Already Have To Today’s CMMC Requirements

We start with a light but real assessment. That usually includes:

• Listing your systems, apps, users, and devices
• Identifying which data ties into DoD or sensitive client work
• Marking which systems are “in scope” for CMMC controls
• Comparing your current controls to NIST 800-171 and CMMC Level 1 or 2

You do not need a 200‑page report. You need a clear picture of “where we are strong” and “where we are exposed.” A structured gap review keeps you from rebuilding everything when the wording shifts from 2.0 to “Version 3,” because the core security needs stay very similar.

Step 2: Fix The High-Risk Gaps First So Contracts Stay Safe

Next, we rank issues by business risk, not by how fancy the technology sounds. Common high-risk gaps include:

• No reliable backups or backups that were never tested
• Weak passwords and shared logins for key systems
• No multi-factor authentication on email or remote access
• Unpatched servers, POS systems, or kitchen devices
• No written incident response plan for when something breaks

We tackle quick wins first so your risk drops fast. Then we handle harder items like advanced endpoint protection, network segmentation, and secure configurations for POS or kitchen tech in restaurant environments.

The goal is simple. If a prime contractor or assessor looked at your environment tomorrow, would they see a business that takes security seriously and has a clear plan, or a patchwork of band-aids?

Step 3: Build Simple, Repeatable Habits So Future Versions Feel Easy

Once the biggest gaps are closed, the real secret is habit. Version changes feel scary when security is a one-time project. They feel routine when security is part of how you run the business.

I help clients set up small, repeatable routines like:

• Monthly patching and updates for servers, workstations, and POS devices
• Quarterly access reviews to remove old users and adjust permissions
• Annual staff training on phishing, safe data handling, and incident reporting
• Regular log checks or automated alerts for suspicious activity

RVA Tech Visions can automate many of these tasks and provide monthly or quarterly reports. Those reports are something you can hand to an auditor, a prime contractor, or your board to show that you are not just compliant once, you are staying that way over time.

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Bringing It All Together

The phrase “CMMC Version 3” can sound scary, but it does not have to be. The core job stays the same: protect sensitive data so your business can win and keep DoD work. Names and numbers may shift, yet strong, well-documented security practices carry across CMMC 2.0, 2.x, and whatever comes next.

If you start building that foundation now, you will not scramble every time a new blog post mentions a version change. You will already have a plan, proof, and a partner who understands both the rules and your day-to-day reality.

If you would like a clear, honest review of your CMMC readiness, cloud setup, or Office 365 environment, I invite you to schedule a short consult with my team at RVA Tech Visions. We will look at where you are today, outline practical next steps, and help you build a security program that supports long-term growth, not just a one-time checkbox.