Cyber threats are escalating at an unprecedented rate, and as contractors supporting the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the stakes couldn’t be higher. Protecting sensitive data, such as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), is a mission-critical responsibility for every contractor within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). With the establishment of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework, the DoD has provided clear guidelines to strengthen the security posture of its contractors and safeguard the digital supply chain that underpins U.S. national defense.At Zscaler, we understand the immense responsibility that comes with operating in this high-stakes environment. It is with great pride that I share the news that Zscaler takes a prominent role as a Security SaaS provider in achieving CMMC Level 2 certification. This accomplishment is not just a certification milestone—it’s a testament to Zscaler’s commitment to empowering DoD contractors with the tools and technologies they need to achieve compliance, modernize security, and execute their mission-critical projects with confidence.Why CMMC Compliance Is a Game Changer for DoD ContractorsThe CMMC framework is DoD’s self-induced catalyst toward strengthening the cybersecurity posture of the DIB. Developed by the DoD, CMMC establishes a governance framework that defines a set of cybersecurity, compliance, and contractual standards that contractors must meet to be eligible for defense contracts. The framework emphasizes the protection of sensitive government data—including CUI—and ensures that cybersecurity is not an afterthought, but a foundational aspect of every contract.Achieving CMMC compliance is about much more than meeting contract requirements. Compliance demonstrates a contractor’s ability to protect critical assets, ensuring mission continuity and safeguarding the integrity of the overall national defense strategy. As threats continue to evolve, the financial, operational, and reputational risks of failing to secure sensitive information mean that compliance has become a strategic imperative for every DoD contractor.At Zscaler, we view compliance not as an endpoint but as a springboard for comprehensive cybersecurity excellence. With our achievement of CMMC Level 2 certification, we are positioned to help DoD contractors strengthen their cyber defenses, streamline compliance, and adopt solutions that meet today’s needs while anticipating tomorrow’s risks.The Zscaler Approach: Zero Trust and Cloud-First SecurityOur journey to earning CMMC Level 2 certification was rooted in our implementation of a Zero Trust Architecture. This approach is powered by Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA™) and Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA™), two of our core solutions that are FedRAMP-authorized and purpose-built to meet the security demands of federal and defense environments.Zero Trust flips the traditional perimeter-based security model on its head. Instead of assuming that entities within a network can inherently be trusted, Zero Trust applies the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It ensures that no user, device, or application can access sensitive resources without first being authenticated and authorized. For the DoD contracting community, this model is a game changer. It eliminates unnecessary risk, minimizes the attack surface, and ensures sensitive data remains secure—no matter where users or applications are located.Our cloud-native approach is designed to simplify the complex. Many contractors today struggle with the operational burden of fragmented legacy systems and disjointed compliance workflows. By centralizing cybersecurity and compliance under the Zscaler platform, we enable contractors to reduce complexity, eliminate inefficiencies, and focus on their core missions.How CMMC Level 2 Certification Benefits DoD ContractorsEarning CMMC Level 2 certification is more than an achievement for Zscaler—it’s a call to action to help DoD contractors embrace industry-leading security solutions. Here’s what this milestone means for your operations:Streamlined Compliance Process: Managing compliance across the DoD contracting landscape can often feel like navigating through a maze of fragmented tools and requirements. Zscaler consolidates and simplifies compliance efforts, helping contractors achieve regulatory requirements faster and with minimal disruption to operations.Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture: With our Zero Trust approach, DoD contractors benefit from robust, cloud-native protections that evolve alongside emerging threats. This proactive security architecture reduces the risk of data breaches and other cyber exploits.Accelerated Digital Transformation: Our cloud-first solutions were built to empower contractors to innovate without sacrificing security. Whether transitioning workloads to the cloud or modernizing IT operations, Zscaler ensures that contractors can embrace digital transformation with confidence.Future-Ready Protections: In the constantly shifting cybersecurity landscape, future-proofing your operations is essential. As Zscaler actively works toward alignment with CMMC Level 3 requirements, contractors can rest assured that their cybersecurity framework will remain adaptable and aligned with DoD mandates.Compliance represents much more than a checkbox exercise; compliance is the foundation for achieving higher levels of organizational resilience and operational agility. As I often say, “Compliance is the foundation and the floor, not the ceiling.” That philosophy drives Zscaler’s approach to CMMC compliance.Looking AheadOur CMMC Level 2 certification is not the endpoint of our journey but a stepping stone to even greater achievements as we continue to support the DIB. We are actively assessing our alignment with CMMC Level 3 requirements and remain dedicated to helping contractors prepare for what’s next.To all U.S. Department of Defense contractors: Zscaler is here to help you protect sensitive data, drive innovation, and sustain mission success in an era of increasingly complex challenges. We’re proud to stand alongside you as a partner in security excellence and a catalyst for meaningful digital transformation.If you’re ready to accelerate compliance and adopt modern security built for the demands of the DoD ecosystem, I invite you to explore Zscaler and see how we can work together to defend the critical missions that keep our nation safe.
[#item_full_content] Cyber threats are escalating at an unprecedented rate, and as contractors supporting the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), the stakes couldn’t be higher. Protecting sensitive data, such as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), is a mission-critical responsibility for every contractor within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). With the establishment of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework, the DoD has provided clear guidelines to strengthen the security posture of its contractors and safeguard the digital supply chain that underpins U.S. national defense.At Zscaler, we understand the immense responsibility that comes with operating in this high-stakes environment. It is with great pride that I share the news that Zscaler takes a prominent role as a Security SaaS provider in achieving CMMC Level 2 certification. This accomplishment is not just a certification milestone—it’s a testament to Zscaler’s commitment to empowering DoD contractors with the tools and technologies they need to achieve compliance, modernize security, and execute their mission-critical projects with confidence.Why CMMC Compliance Is a Game Changer for DoD ContractorsThe CMMC framework is DoD’s self-induced catalyst toward strengthening the cybersecurity posture of the DIB. Developed by the DoD, CMMC establishes a governance framework that defines a set of cybersecurity, compliance, and contractual standards that contractors must meet to be eligible for defense contracts. The framework emphasizes the protection of sensitive government data—including CUI—and ensures that cybersecurity is not an afterthought, but a foundational aspect of every contract.Achieving CMMC compliance is about much more than meeting contract requirements. Compliance demonstrates a contractor’s ability to protect critical assets, ensuring mission continuity and safeguarding the integrity of the overall national defense strategy. As threats continue to evolve, the financial, operational, and reputational risks of failing to secure sensitive information mean that compliance has become a strategic imperative for every DoD contractor.At Zscaler, we view compliance not as an endpoint but as a springboard for comprehensive cybersecurity excellence. With our achievement of CMMC Level 2 certification, we are positioned to help DoD contractors strengthen their cyber defenses, streamline compliance, and adopt solutions that meet today’s needs while anticipating tomorrow’s risks.The Zscaler Approach: Zero Trust and Cloud-First SecurityOur journey to earning CMMC Level 2 certification was rooted in our implementation of a Zero Trust Architecture. This approach is powered by Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA™) and Zscaler Private Access™ (ZPA™), two of our core solutions that are FedRAMP-authorized and purpose-built to meet the security demands of federal and defense environments.Zero Trust flips the traditional perimeter-based security model on its head. Instead of assuming that entities within a network can inherently be trusted, Zero Trust applies the principle of “never trust, always verify.” It ensures that no user, device, or application can access sensitive resources without first being authenticated and authorized. For the DoD contracting community, this model is a game changer. It eliminates unnecessary risk, minimizes the attack surface, and ensures sensitive data remains secure—no matter where users or applications are located.Our cloud-native approach is designed to simplify the complex. Many contractors today struggle with the operational burden of fragmented legacy systems and disjointed compliance workflows. By centralizing cybersecurity and compliance under the Zscaler platform, we enable contractors to reduce complexity, eliminate inefficiencies, and focus on their core missions.How CMMC Level 2 Certification Benefits DoD ContractorsEarning CMMC Level 2 certification is more than an achievement for Zscaler—it’s a call to action to help DoD contractors embrace industry-leading security solutions. Here’s what this milestone means for your operations:Streamlined Compliance Process: Managing compliance across the DoD contracting landscape can often feel like navigating through a maze of fragmented tools and requirements. Zscaler consolidates and simplifies compliance efforts, helping contractors achieve regulatory requirements faster and with minimal disruption to operations.Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture: With our Zero Trust approach, DoD contractors benefit from robust, cloud-native protections that evolve alongside emerging threats. This proactive security architecture reduces the risk of data breaches and other cyber exploits.Accelerated Digital Transformation: Our cloud-first solutions were built to empower contractors to innovate without sacrificing security. Whether transitioning workloads to the cloud or modernizing IT operations, Zscaler ensures that contractors can embrace digital transformation with confidence.Future-Ready Protections: In the constantly shifting cybersecurity landscape, future-proofing your operations is essential. As Zscaler actively works toward alignment with CMMC Level 3 requirements, contractors can rest assured that their cybersecurity framework will remain adaptable and aligned with DoD mandates.Compliance represents much more than a checkbox exercise; compliance is the foundation for achieving higher levels of organizational resilience and operational agility. As I often say, “Compliance is the foundation and the floor, not the ceiling.” That philosophy drives Zscaler’s approach to CMMC compliance.Looking AheadOur CMMC Level 2 certification is not the endpoint of our journey but a stepping stone to even greater achievements as we continue to support the DIB. We are actively assessing our alignment with CMMC Level 3 requirements and remain dedicated to helping contractors prepare for what’s next.To all U.S. Department of Defense contractors: Zscaler is here to help you protect sensitive data, drive innovation, and sustain mission success in an era of increasingly complex challenges. We’re proud to stand alongside you as a partner in security excellence and a catalyst for meaningful digital transformation.If you’re ready to accelerate compliance and adopt modern security built for the demands of the DoD ecosystem, I invite you to explore Zscaler and see how we can work together to defend the critical missions that keep our nation safe.
