Ohio is one of the top states in the country for manufacturing output with nearly 14,000 manufacturing firms in the state, contributing 15.7% of the total output nationwide in 2022. Yet, many of these Ohio companies, especially those pursuing Department of Defense contracts, struggle to meet the strict cybersecurity requirements necessary to compete for federal work.
The Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence (CDME) is collaborating with MxD (Manufacturing x Digital) to help small and medium-sized manufacturers navigate the complex process of meeting federal cybersecurity deadlines.
“As of November 2025, CMMC compliance is no longer optional for the Department of Defense or its contractors,” said Vimal Buck, project lead and CDME director of cybersecurity. “It is now a mandatory requirement to compete for the $400 billion in annual DoD contracts. Achieving compliance, however, can be costly. Our tool is designed to simplify the process by providing education, templates and step-by-step guidance. With these resources, users can efficiently prepare the necessary artifacts to demonstrate and achieve conformance.”
The project aims to develop a first-of-its-kind interactive playbook that simplifies the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 Level 2. The tool will guide manufacturers through the certification process step by step, translating dense technical requirements into clear, actionable steps.
This new tool will offer step-by-step, tailored guidance aligned with the 110 controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171. It includes editable templates for key documents such as “System Security Plans” and “Plans of Action and Milestones.” This will help companies streamline the compliance process. Users can also explore interactive training modules focused on key cyber hygiene topics, including threat prevention, vendor management and disaster recovery. The tool also features real-world case studies that demonstrate how small manufacturers have successfully put these practices into action.
The proposed CMMC 2.0 Interactive Playbook builds on CDME’s work making advanced technology accessible to small businesses.
“Having worked on a similar project as a student, I developed technical and soft skills that translate directly to professional practices,” said Srikar Maduposu, CDME applied research engineer. “Now, leading this project as a staff member, I am excited to help students gain these same skills while making a meaningful contribution to cybersecurity for small businesses.”
Most importantly, the project will be worked on by CDME undergraduate students. They will play a central role in developing and testing the tool, which will help them gain hands-on experience in cybersecurity and manufacturing innovation.
“This project has been an amazing learning experience,” said Maggie Foster, a CDME student studying Computer Science Engineering. “Getting to combine software development with hands-on work supporting small businesses has given me a perspective I did not expect. Learning about CMMC and seeing how these frameworks translate into real security needs has been especially rewarding.”
After initial testing and improvement with a group of small manufacturers across Ohio, the CMMC Interactive Playbook will be refined and distributed through MxD workshops, webinars and outreach events, helping small businesses strengthen their cyber resilience and readiness for defense work.
About MxD
MxD strengthens U.S. economic prosperity and national security by driving digital adoption in manufacturing. In partnership with the Department of Defense, we convene a network to solve critical manufacturing challenges by accelerating digital adoption, empowering a skilled workforce, and modernizing supply chains. MxD is also the National Center for Cybersecurity in Manufacturing as designated by DoD. Visit mxdusa.org to learn more.
