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Cybersecurity is not just a buzzword, it’s a necessity. All personal, financial, and company data is a potential target.
According to the Verizon 2024 Data Breach Investigations Report there were 2,305 cybersecurity incidents against manufacturers in 2023, with the majority of breaches done through system intrusion. The average cost of these industrial data breaches has risen year after year to $5.56M USD in 2024, according to Statista.
This level of cybersecurity incursion is particularly dangerous when considering the vulnerability of defense contract manufacturing and the controlled data that could be leaked in a cyberattack. That’s why the Department of Defense (DoD) has taken significant steps to secure the defense industrial base by introducing the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
The CMMC 2.0 framework is a unifying standard for the implementation of cybersecurity across the military and defense supply chain ensuring that companies meet stringent cybersecurity standards. The framework includes not only IT practices, but protocols, processes and practices across a wide range of company systems, from physical access to HR practices.
At Birk Manufacturing, we recognize the vital role that security plays in safeguarding our customers’ data and maintaining our reputation for excellence. That’s why we’ve embarked on the CMMC certification journey, with a goal to achieve full certification by the end of 2025.
Steps We’ve Taken So Far
Our journey toward CMMC certification has been deliberate and comprehensive. It began with an initial gap assessment conducted with the help of the experienced third-party consultants at CONNSTEP. The gap assessment involved our IT partners, our HR team, physical security functions, and so much more. It’s a truly cross-departmental effort.
To further our understanding, we also participated in CMMC training programs and implemented structured plans to address areas of improvement. One of the key challenges has been determining the scope of our Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) so that we achieve compliance without overextending our resources.
Looking Ahead
Birk Manufacturing’s commitment to achieving CMMC certification is part of our broader mission to deliver excellence in everything we do. By securing our systems and data, we not only meet the demands of our industry but also reinforce our dedication to innovation, quality, and trust.
We’re proud to be on this journey and look forward to sharing our progress as we move closer to achieving full certification by 2025. Stay tuned as we continue to set the standard for cybersecurity in manufacturing.
For more information on Birk’s CMMC journey, listen to this episode of the Made in America Podcast where our President, Carleton Birk, joined a panel to discuss the importance of CMMC certification in the aerospace and defense industries. You can also find our list of full list of certifications here.
