How Microsoft and Kosh Support Your CMMC Technical Readiness

For IT and business leaders preparing for compliance

CMMC 2.0 enforcement is HERE! Starting November 2025, new DoD contracts will begin including CMMC requirements, with full enforcement projected for late 2026. Even organizations with mature systems typically need 6–12 months to reach readiness.

The good news: If your business already uses Microsoft 365, you're likely further ahead than you think.

This article explains how Microsoft tools can help support the technical portion of CMMC compliance—and what still requires organizational action.

What Microsoft can help with—and what it can’t

Microsoft Supports (Technology)	Microsoft Does Not Cover
MFA & conditional access (Entra ID)	Cybersecurity governance policies
Device control & endpoint management (Intune)	Official certification
Threat detection (Defender)	Organizational risk management
Data classification & protection (Purview)	Incident response planning
Security monitoring (Sentinel)	HR policies, vendor validation
Compliance Manager (CMMC template benchmarking)	C3PAO audit execution

Important: Microsoft helps measure and operationalize technical controls—but CMMC certification requires proper policy documentation, internal enforcement, and validation from an approved assessor.

Microsoft Tools Mapped to CMMC Technical Areas

Try our interactive mapping tool here: CMMC Microsoft | Kosh Solutions

CMMC Technical Area	Microsoft Capabilities	Organizational Responsibility
Identity & Access Control	Entra ID, MFA, Conditional Access	Account management policies
Threat Detection & Response	Microsoft Defender	Incident response documentation
Device Compliance & Security	Intune	Approved device policies & training
Data Governance & Classification	Microsoft Purview	Scope definition & data handling process
Monitoring & Reporting	Sentinel, Defender XDR	Internal escalation procedures
Readiness Assessment	Microsoft Compliance Manager (CMMC template)	Audit engagement & certification process

Why this matters now

• Contract requirements begin November 2025

• Full enforcement expected in 2026

• Gaps often exist despite licensing—due to incomplete activation or configuration

• Proactive technical readiness reduces audit scope and cost

“No certification = No contract.”

The "Hidden Gap" Problem

Many organizations already pay for advanced Microsoft licensing (Business Premium or E5), but:

• MFA isn’t enforced for all users

• Conditional Access isn’t fully configured

• Defender alerts aren't monitored

• Purview is licensed but not deployed

• Compliance Manager is not used

➡ These oversights often represent 30–40% of total technical readiness gaps.

Kosh’s Role in Your Microsoft-Driven CMMC Readiness

Kosh Supports	Kosh Does Not Provide
Technical control deployment & management	Compliance certification
Microsoft environment gap analysis	Policy documentation
Endpoint & identity security	C3PAO audit oversight
Implementation of MFA, CA, logging	Legal or HR process compliance
Monitoring & remediation	Formal SSP/RP plan creation

Which Microsoft license are you using?

License	CMMC Technical Coverage (Out-of-the-box)
M365 Business Premium	Strong security baseline
M365 E5	Expanded controls & advanced threat protection
Add-on tools (Defender, Sentinel, Purview)	Deep visibility & security telemetry
Compliance Manager	Framework benchmarking (e.g., CMMC, NIST 800-171)

Where to Begin

The fastest way to accelerate readiness:

• Run a Microsoft Compliance Manager assessment using the CMMC template

• Assess MFA, access, device, and data security configurations

• Identify inactive features within existing licensing

• Create a roadmap prioritizing high-risk gaps

Need clarity on your Microsoft security posture?

If you're already using Microsoft 365, you may be much closer to compliance than it seems — you just haven't activated the value yet.

Schedule a readiness discussion

888-979-5674

sales@koshsolutions.com

Disclaimer

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional compliance advice or formal certification. Kosh Solutions is not a C3PAO and does not provide official CMMC certification.

Final Takeaway

Microsoft gives you powerful technical tools for CMMC readiness. But only you can turn them into compliance.

Technology ≠ CertificationConfiguration + Documentation + Audit readiness → CMMC Success

Start with what you already have. Optimize it. Document it. Then certify it.