When a Department of Defense order came through, one Southwest Ohio manufacturer seized the opportunity to secure a major competitive edge.
Challenge
In 2023, The Metalworking Group, a Cincinnati-based leader in custom metal parts manufacturing, received a new order from the Department of Defense to supply components for military vehicles. This order came with a critical requirement: compliance with the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Achieving CMMC compliance was essential to protect sensitive data but more than that, it represented a strategic advantage in the defense industry: to protect sensitive data and operational integrity.
Founded in 1982, The Metalworking Group had consistently elevated its cybersecurity measures to meet growing threats. However, CMMC introduced a new level of security demands, and the company needed specialized expertise to achieve compliance. By proactively starting their CMMC certification journey, they recognized the opportunity to stay ahead of the curve, positioning themselves for significant growth in the defense sector.
Solution
That’s when The Metalworking Group turned to TechSolve, a trusted partner known for providing high-impact solutions.
To help them through the CMMC certification process, TechSolve began with a detailed assessment of their current cybersecurity practices. The evaluation identified critical compliance gaps and established a clear starting point for improvement.
Next, TechSolve crafted a customized roadmap from the assessment outlining prioritized actions to enhance the company’s cybersecurity posture. Each step was designed to improve their compliance score incrementally.
Understanding that cyber risk mitigation is a team effort, TechSolve provided training sessions and essential resources for The Metalworking Group’s staff. This ensured employees had the tools they needed to maintain cybersecurity standards and emphasized a sustainable approach for staff to oversee efforts without needing a full-time compliance officer.
With an emphasis on continuous improvement, TechSolve assisted The Metalworking Group in establishing a baseline for compliance and setting realistic, achievable goals for ongoing advancement.
Result
With TechSolve’s guidance, The Metalworking Group has made tremendous progress toward CMMC compliance. They have implemented essential cybersecurity measures, improved their compliance score, and established strong protocols for data security and breach response.
But beyond compliance, CMMC has become a strategic advantage. The Metalworking Group is now positioned as a forward-thinking defense supplier, ahead of the curve compared to many competitors. This proactive approach has strengthened relationships with existing customers and opened the door to significantly expand their military contracts. With CMMC certification on the horizon, they are poised to grow their military business exponentially, gaining a foothold in a market that demands the highest standards of security.
“TechSolve did a wonderful job of connecting the dots for us because we just didn’t know where to start,” recalls Doug Watts, CEO of The Metalworking Group. “I was very impressed with the real value that TechSolve brought to this project for us. I was really impressed with the people they put on the project, and the fact that they had a pathway from the start of the engagement to the final CMMC deliverable. From soup to nuts, it was a good experience using TechSolve.”
Ready for a CMMC Readiness Assessment?
For over 35 years, TechSolve has empowered organizations to enhance operational efficiency and navigate compliance challenges. If your business is facing similar regulatory hurdles or seeking to improve its cybersecurity measures, contact us or email our staff at info@techsolve.org to discover how we can help you succeed.
