CMMC Level 2 Success Story | Hart Technology Solutions

Overview

Atlantic Pacific Standard (APS), a Tucson-based defense contractor, needed to meet CMMC Level 2 requirements to continue supporting work involving sensitive government information. Like many small and mid-sized contractors, APS needed more than a checklist. They needed a practical compliance plan, a properly scoped environment, detailed documentation, technical implementation, and a partner who could help keep the process moving from readiness through assessment.

Hart Technology Solutions worked with APS to design and support a CMMC Level 2 program built around Microsoft 365 GCC High, managed security controls, clear documentation, evidence tracking, and ongoing operational support.

APS has now passed its CMMC Level 2 assessment and is expected to receive certification.

Key takeaway: CMMC Level 2 success requires more than buying security tools. It requires the right scope, the right cloud environment, strong documentation, repeatable processes, and evidence that the controls are actually operating.

The Challenge

APS needed to demonstrate alignment with CMMC Level 2 and NIST SP 800-171 requirements for an environment that could store, process, and transmit Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The project required careful planning around scope, identity, endpoint compliance, incident response, monitoring, policies, procedures, and evidence collection.

For a defense contractor, the challenge is not only technical. A successful CMMC assessment also depends on being able to explain the environment clearly, show how each requirement is implemented, and provide objective evidence that the organization follows the process consistently.

How Hart Technology Solutions Helped

Designed and supported a Microsoft 365 GCC High environment for CUI-related workloads.
Helped define and document the CMMC assessment scope so the environment could be clearly explained during assessment.
Developed and refined the System Security Plan (SSP), supporting policies, procedures, diagrams, and evidence references.
Implemented and supported security controls aligned with CMMC Level 2 and NIST SP 800-171 requirements.
Established Plan of Action processes to identify, track, remediate, and validate deficiencies using operational ticketing and review workflows.
Supported continuous monitoring, endpoint compliance, incident response processes, and ongoing governance activities.
Coordinated with APS leadership and assessment stakeholders to prepare for assessor questions, evidence review, and operational walkthroughs.

The Result

APS passed its CMMC Level 2 assessment and is expected to receive certification. The successful outcome reflects the work APS and Hart Technology Solutions put into building a documented, supportable, and assessor-ready compliance program.

Result Area	What Was Achieved
Assessment Outcome	APS passed its CMMC Level 2 assessment and is expected to receive certification.
Cloud Environment	Microsoft 365 GCC High was used as the primary environment supporting CUI-related workloads.
Documentation	The compliance program included an SSP, supporting policies, procedures, diagrams, and evidence references.
Operations	Security monitoring, incident response, endpoint compliance, and remediation tracking processes were formalized and supported.
Business Impact	APS is positioned to continue pursuing Department of Defense work that requires CMMC Level 2 certification.

Why This Matters for Tucson and Arizona Defense Contractors

CMMC Level 2 is a major requirement for contractors that handle CUI. Passing an assessment shows that the organization has done the hard work of implementing security requirements, documenting how the environment operates, and maintaining evidence to support the assessment.

For defense contractors in Tucson and across Arizona, APS demonstrates that CMMC Level 2 is achievable with the right scope, the right technology foundation, and a partner who understands both managed IT and compliance operations.

About Hart Technology Solutions

Hart Technology Solutions is a Tucson-based managed IT and cybersecurity provider helping businesses build secure, reliable, and compliant technology environments. HTS supports organizations with Microsoft 365, GCC High, cybersecurity operations, endpoint management, compliance documentation, and CMMC readiness services.

For defense contractors preparing for CMMC Level 2, HTS can help with scoping, gap analysis, Microsoft 365 GCC High planning, SSP development, policy and procedure creation, POA&M tracking, evidence preparation, and ongoing managed IT support.

Need help preparing for CMMC Level 2? Hart Technology Solutions can help you understand your scope, identify gaps, build an actionable roadmap, and prepare your environment for assessment.

Contact Hart Technology Solutions: www.harttechnologysolutions.com | 520-762-7614 | admin@HTSsupport.com