Learn GRC & Compliance
Practical guides, insights, and best practices for governance, risk, and compliance. Written for busy security professionals.
Post-Quantum Cryptography for Federal Contractors: What the June 2026 Executive Order Actually Requires — and When
Executive Order 14412 set a December 31, 2030 post-quantum deadline and started a FAR rulemaking that reaches federal contractors directly. What's actually required today, what's coming, what's hype — and the five-step head start a small contractor can do now.
What Is a System Security Plan (SSP)? The Document Your CMMC Assessment Can't Start Without
Plain-English guide to the System Security Plan for small federal contractors: what NIST SP 800-171 requirement 3.12.4 actually demands, what goes in an SSP, who needs one, the mistakes that sink small shops, and how the SSP connects to your SPRS score and POA&M.
AI Acceptable Use Policy for Small Business: What to Include, and How to Generate One in Minutes
Your employees are already using ChatGPT — with or without rules. What an AI acceptable use policy must cover, why generic templates fall short, and how to generate one customized to your business, exportable to Word, in minutes.
Evaluating CyberPolicify for CMMC? Read These Three Guides First
A start-here guide for small federal contractors deciding on a compliance subscription: what CyberPolicify actually does for CMMC Level 1 and Level 2, the three articles that show it, and what it costs.
How to Submit Your SPRS Score: PIEE Registration and the CMMC Level 2 Self-Assessment, Step by Step
The complete path from zero to a submitted SPRS score: SAM.gov and your CAGE code, PIEE vendor registration, the SPRS Cyber Vendor User role, running the 110-requirement NIST SP 800-171 self-assessment, and exactly what to enter in the portal.
CMMC Phase 2 Suspended: What the July 2026 Memo Actually Changes
The Department of War's July 13, 2026 memo (26-P-1023) suspends CMMC Level 2 C3PAO and Level 3 requirements and launches a 60-day reform review. What the memo says, what happens to active solicitations, and what defense contractors should do now.
The Audit Is Suspended. Your Obligations Aren't: NIST 800-171 and SPRS After the CMMC Pause
CMMC Phase 2 is on hold, but DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800-171, SPRS scores, and annual self-assessments still apply to every defense contractor handling CUI. What you must keep doing — and the False Claims Act risk if you don't.
What ISO 27001 Compliance Actually Costs a Small Business in 2026
Certification bodies, consultants, and $10k+/yr automation platforms all want a piece of your ISO 27001 budget. What each one really costs, when you need them — and the $49 step everyone skips.
What Is ISO 27001 Compliance? A Plain-English Guide for Small Business
ISO 27001 compliance explained without the jargon: what the standard actually requires, compliant vs. certified, what enterprise customers really ask for, and the first step that costs $0.
What CMMC Actually Costs a Small Business in 2026 — and How to Pay Less
Median first-year CMMC spend is six figures — but Level 1 doesn't have to be. What drives CMMC costs for small contractors, where consultants earn their fee, and where a $49 tool does the same job.
CMMC Level 1 Self-Assessment: A Plain-English Guide for Small Contractors
All 17 CMMC Level 1 practices translated into plain English for small federal contractors — what each one means, what evidence you need, and how to affirm in SPRS.
Your Prime Sent a Cybersecurity Questionnaire. Here's How to Answer It.
Prime contractors are flowing CMMC requirements down to every subcontractor. What the supplier cybersecurity questionnaire really asks, what happens if you fumble it, and how to answer with confidence.
AI-Powered Policy Generation: The Future of Compliance Documentation
Generating cybersecurity policies with AI saves time and ensures consistency. Learn how AI policy generation works, best practices for customization, and when to use AI vs. manual drafting.
Cybersecurity Policy Templates: Free Sources, Pitfalls, and When to Skip Them (2026)
Discover how cybersecurity policy templates can accelerate your compliance program. Learn what makes a good template, common pitfalls, and how to customize them for your organization.
How to Create Cybersecurity Policies: A Step-by-Step Guide
Learn how to create effective cybersecurity policies for your small business. A practical guide covering essential policies, common pitfalls, and how to avoid the documentation trap.
Gap Assessment: How to Run Your Own With a Questionnaire (No Consultant)
A cybersecurity gap assessment doesn't require a $15,000 consultant. How questionnaire-based gap assessments work, what questions to ask, and how to get actionable results for compliance readiness.
Why Small Businesses Need Cybersecurity Policies in 2026
Cybersecurity policies aren't just for enterprises. Learn why small businesses need documented security policies, what's at stake without them, and how to build a program that scales.
Continuous Compliance Explained
Continuous compliance is not more paperwork. It’s keeping your controls, documentation, and evidence aligned as your business changes—without last-minute audit panic.
Key Factors in Effective Gap Analysis
Discover the critical factors that make compliance gap analysis effective. Learn how to identify, prioritize, and close security gaps systematically.
Policies vs Procedures: The Foundation of GRC
Understand the critical difference between policies and procedures. Learn how to build a documentation hierarchy that satisfies auditors and actually guides employees.
Why a Risk Register Matters for Small Businesses
Learn why maintaining a risk register is essential for small businesses. Discover how proactive risk management protects your company and satisfies auditors.
Stop Reading, Start Doing
Knowledge is great, but implementation is better. CyberPolicify turns these concepts into actionable policies and controls for your organization.