Great question! Let’s break it down with a quick cost comparison. The average salary for an in-house IT Director, CIO, or CTO ranges from $150,000 to $400,000 annually, plus benefits like health insurance, bonuses, and retirement contributions, adding up to at least $200,000 to $500,000/year. Compare that to North Star, where even our most comprehensive plan is significantly less than that with no extra costs or benefits. You get high-level, strategic compliance support for a fraction of the cost, with unlimited hours and no additional overhead.

In short, we give you expert guidance without the heavy financial investment of a full-time hire, saving you hundreds of thousands annually.

North Star Strategies provides the expertise and guidance needed to strengthen cybersecurity and optimize technology investments. We assess your security posture, develop compliance roadmaps aligned to leading frameworks like NIST 800-171 and CIS Controls, and work directly with your IT team or MSP to implement robust security measures. Our strategic oversight ensures your technology partnerships deliver measurable business value while maintaining compliance with industry standards. We transform complex technical requirements into clear action plans, helping you build a resilient security program that supports current needs and future requirements - whether that's CMMC certification or other industry-specific compliance.

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is like a protective shield for sensitive data in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It’s a certification program created by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure that contractors handle sensitive information securely, especially if they deal with unclassified but critical data like Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)​​.

Why does it matter? Imagine a massive supply chain, involving thousands of companies working with the DoD. Each one needs to keep data safe to prevent leaks, hacks, or breaches that could impact national security. CMMC sets different levels of cybersecurity rigor depending on the data sensitivity. It’s essential for keeping the DoD’s information safe and, by extension, enhancing national security​​.

In short, if you're a DoD contractor, CMMC isn’t just a requirement; it’s your VIP pass to work on defense contracts. It keeps your company in the game and makes you a stronger, more trustworthy partner for the DoD. Plus, it’s good cybersecurity hygiene—and who doesn’t want that?

If you’re wondering, “Do I even need CMMC if I don’t work with the DoD?”—the answer may surprise you. CMMC might be DoD-driven, but at its heart, it’s built on NIST 800-171: a powerful standard in data security that many industries rely on to protect sensitive information. If you structure your IT environment around NIST 800-171, you’re setting yourself up not just for CMMC, but for a great starting point on a wide range of compliance needs across sectors.

Why? Because every industry has its own version of a security framework, whether it’s healthcare, finance, or manufacturing. These frameworks all share key elements found in NIST 800-171, like strong access controls, data management practices, and incident reporting. By following NIST 800-171, you’ll already meet—or be close to meeting—what’s required by many frameworks out there​​​.

So, even if CMMC isn’t in your immediate future, embracing NIST 800-171 prepares you for a plethora of standards your industry might need. In short, you’ll be building a solid, versatile security foundation that can adapt as your compliance needs evolve.

The cost of non-compliance can be incredibly high, especially when it comes to government contracts. If you’re found to be non-compliant with CMMC requirements, you could lose existing contracts, miss out on new opportunities, and face penalties. In extreme cases, companies have lost millions in contract revenue.

Let’s look at a basic example:

• Say your company handles $2 million annually in DoD contracts.

• If you fail to achieve CMMC compliance, you could lose those contracts entirely, costing you $2 million per year in revenue.

• Compare that with the cost of North Star’s Voyager Plan at $86,400/year (or less with long-term discounts), which ensures you’re fully prepared for audits and compliance requirements.

For a small fraction of the potential loss ($86,400 vs. $2 million), you get comprehensive support, strategic guidance, and the assurance that you’re taking the right steps to protect your business. The ROI on this investment is substantial—you’re not just paying for compliance, you’re protecting your revenue.

We know that presenting the value of a compliance investment to leadership or the board can be challenging, but we’ve got you covered. Here’s how you can make the case:

1. Cost vs. Risk:

   • CMMC compliance is not optional if your organization wants to maintain or bid on DoD contracts. Non-compliance can lead to the loss of contracts, resulting in a significant revenue drop. For example, losing a $1 million contract due to non-compliance far outweighs the cost of even our most comprehensive plan, Voyager.

   • Emphasize the long-term ROI: The cost of non-compliance (lost contracts, fines, and penalties) far outweighs the investment in preparing for CMMC with expert guidance.

2. North Star Strategies Saves Money:

   • Hiring a full-time IT Director, CIO, or CTO to handle compliance in-house costs $150,000 to $400,000/year, plus benefits and overhead. With North Star, you get high-level compliance support for a fraction of that cost, while maintaining your internal or MSP IT team.

   • Unlimited support: Unlike hourly consultants, we give you unlimited access to our expertise, so you can avoid surprise billable hours and still get the guidance you need.

3. Strategic Business Alignment:

   • Compliance isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about building cybersecurity resilience that protects your business from threats while aligning with long-term business goals.

   • Our plans include quarterly executive-level strategy sessions (in the Voyager Plan) to ensure that compliance and security are embedded in your overall strategy, which is critical for business continuity and growth.

4. Stay Competitive:

   • Achieving CMMC compliance puts your organization ahead of competitors who may be slower to act, giving you a competitive edge in bidding for contracts. Early adoption shows leadership that you’re forward-thinking and proactive.

   • Preparedness: You’ll avoid the chaos of last-minute compliance scrambles when requirements become mandatory.

5. Support and Flexibility:

   • We offer flexible pricing plans, so you’re not locked into a big upfront cost. You can start with a steady improvement plan and scale up to prepare for compliance as needed, offering budget flexibility to the board or leadership.

Key Takeaway: Present this as an investment in both revenue protection and long-term cybersecurity strategy, not just an expense. You’re ensuring the business stays compliant, avoids penalties, and remains eligible for lucrative government contracts—while getting the expertise of a full-time team at a fraction of the cost.

What sets North Star apart is our belief that IT strategy and security are a journey, not a destination. We’re here to guide you through every twist and turn, offering tailored solutions and ongoing support that evolve with your business. Unlike others, we don’t just hand you a checklist and walk away. Our hands-on, strategic approach ensures you’re not only prepared for today’s challenges but building a foundation for long-term security and success. Plus, with our unlimited support, you’ll never have to worry about counting billable hours—we’re with you every step of the way.

While we specialize in CMMC Level 1 and 2, we support organizations of all sizes with a wide range of compliance and cybersecurity needs. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your foundational security or achieve more advanced levels of maturity, we offer customized plans that align with your organization’s unique size, IT complexity, and strategic goals.

During our free consultation, we’ll discuss your current situation, your compliance goals, and any concerns you might have. We’ll also perform a preliminary environmental discovery to help you understand where you stand in terms of CMMC readiness and provide recommendations on which of our plans best fits your needs. This is a no-pressure way to get expert insight without committing upfront.

If you don’t have an internal IT team, that’s okay! Many of our clients work with Managed Service Providers (MSPs), and we can coordinate directly with them to ensure they’re aligned with CMMC requirements. If your current MSP isn’t familiar with CMMC compliance, we can provide them with guidance, too, to make sure they’re helping you meet your goals.

Passing your CMMC audit is ultimately up to your organization, but we’re here to provide all the support and guidance you need to give you the best chance of success. We will help you prepare thoroughly, identify gaps, and offer strategic advice to get you audit-ready. If you don’t pass, we’ll work with you to assess what went wrong and how to address any issues moving forward.

Yes, we do! We offer a vetted portfolio of third-party tools, including SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), Email Security, and other essential compliance solutions. These tools are available through us at discounted rates because of our partnerships with leading providers. While we provide guidance and expertise on the tools that best fit your needs, you can conveniently purchase these tools directly from us. Our goal is to ensure you have access to the best solutions while streamlining the procurement process for you.Item description

The timeline for achieving CMMC compliance can vary depending on several factors, such as the size of your organization, the complexity of your IT environment, and your current level of cybersecurity maturity. For smaller organizations with simpler environments, it can take 6 to 12 months to reach CMMC Level 1 compliance. For larger organizations or those aiming for CMMC Level 2 or 3, the process may take 6 to 18 months or longer.

It’s important to remember that compliance is a journey. We’ll work with your team to create a tailored roadmap and help you navigate each step at a pace that’s manageable while ensuring thorough preparation. We’re here to support you throughout the process and get you ready for your audit in the most efficient way possible.

Under the new proposed rule, your Managed Service Provider (MSP) or External Service Provider (ESP) would be required to be CMMC compliant if they handle any Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or are involved in the security of your information systems. Since these providers often have access to sensitive data or systems, their compliance will be crucial to your own certification.

However, as of now, this requirement is still under discussion at the decision-making level of CMMC requirements, and the final rule has yet to be implemented. Regardless, it’s a best practice to ensure your MSP or ESP is aligned with CMMC standards to safeguard your systems and data.

We help ensure that your MSP or ESP understands these evolving requirements and works with you to align their services accordingly. If they aren’t yet compliant, we can help them navigate the process, or recommend alternative solutions to ensure your compliance ecosystem is secure.

We track your compliance progress using a structured and transparent process. We begin with a baseline assessment to understand your current posture, followed by the creation of a customized roadmap that outlines key milestones for achieving CMMC compliance.

We use compliance tracking tools and regular check-ins to monitor progress, update documentation, and ensure you're staying on track with your plan. For Trailblazer and Voyager clients, we conduct bi-monthly or monthly reviews where we dive deep into progress updates, assess any new gaps, and adjust your strategy as needed.

Our goal is to provide you with clear visibility into your compliance journey, ensuring you’re always aware of what’s been accomplished and what’s coming next. You’ll always know where you stand on the path to certification!

While CMMC requirements are still being phased in, it’s important to start preparing now. Waiting until the last minute can lead to rushed processes, mistakes, and higher costs. Early preparation helps ensure that you’re ready when compliance becomes mandatory, and it gives you a competitive edge when bidding on contracts. Plus, compliance isn’t just about meeting a checklist—it’s about protecting your organization from cyber threats today.