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DFARS 252.204-7025: CMMC Award Eligibility Checklist

DFARS 252.204-7025 is titled “Notice of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Level Requirements”. It is a solicitation provision, not a contract clause. It appears when the government adds DFARS 252.204-7021 to the resulting contract.In plain terms, 7025: If those items are not current and correct, the government cannot legally award the contract to you. Your CMMC award eligibility checklist for DFARS 252.204-7025 Use this checklist before you commit to a CMMC related bid. Treat it like a short pre-bid gate review. 1. Read the exact CMMC level in the solicitation In the 7025 provision, the contracting officer fills in one required level:  First step: confirm that your current or planned CMMC status actually matches that level for the systems you will use on this contract. Quick check 2. Map the bid to in scope systems, not just your company CMMC and 7025 do not care about your company in general. They care about the specific systems that will process, store, or transmit FCI or CUI for this contract.  For each bid: If you are a prime, include major subs that will handle CUI. DFARS 252.204-7021 and the final rule expect subcontractors to have their own status and entries in SPRS, even though you cannot see their scores directly.  3. Verify your CMMC status in SPRS Next, move from paper to the real system the government checks: SPRS. For each in scope system, confirm that: If you went through a third party assessment, confirm that the C3PAO completed the process and that the record shows as final, not just “in progress”. 4. Confirm your annual affirmation is up to date The rule introduces an “affirming official” who must make an annual affirmation in SPRS that you are meeting your CMMC requirements. The term replaces older “senior company official” language, but the intent is the same.  Ask three simple questions: If the affirmation is older than one year on the date of award or covers the wrong scope, your eligibility is at risk even if the CMMC status itself is still within the three year window.  5. Handle conditional CMMC status and POA&M deadlines Under the final rule, you can be awarded a contract based on a conditional CMMC status if certain gaps are documented in a POA&M. You then have 180 days to close those items and reach full status.  For each contract you are bidding: This is a good place to pull in lessons from your outage or drill work. If patch cycles, vendor upgrades, or network changes are slow during peak periods, plan those POA&M items earlier in the year. 6. Check your subs early Many contractors are surprised when a strong proposal fails because a critical subcontractor is not ready. For any sub that will process FCI or CUI for this contract:  You will not see their SPRS details, but you can still make “award readiness” part of your partner selection and capture process. 7. Align your story: SSP, boundary, and bid language DFARS 252.204-7025 is short, but it hooks into a larger story that includes your: Make sure the way you describe your environment and controls in the proposal matches what sits in SPRS and in your SSP. Misalignment here can lead to tense questions in negotiations or during later assessments. If you recently walked through outage drills, Cloudflare style resilience checks, or tabletop exercises, pull those notes into your evidence set. They support the idea that your security program is real, tested, and tied to your policies. A 30 day CMMC award readiness sprint If you want a simple path between now and your next CMMC related bid, use this short sprint. 1st Week: Get clear on your current state 2nd Week: Fix obvious blockers 3rd Week: Clean up SPRS and affirmations 4th Week: Bake eligibility checks into your capture process By the end of this sprint, your team can answer a simple but powerful question before every proposal: “If the contracting officer checked DFARS 252.204-7025 and SPRS right now, would we be clearly eligible for award” How Centrend can help your team move faster CMMC and DFARS 252.204-7025 are not just more paperwork. They are now part of the basic gate that decides who can win and who never makes it to evaluation. Centrend can help your team: If you want a quick outside view of where you stand, Centrend can lead a short DFARS 252.204-7025 Award Readiness Assesment Call so your next CMMC bid starts from a stronger position.

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Cloudflare Downtime 2025, CMMC Thanksgiving Resilience Check illustration showing Centrend’s team at computers, a purple Thanksgiving turkey icon, and a glowing waveform to represent staying online during outages.

Cloudflare Downtime 2025, CMMC Thanksgiving Resilience Check

Cloudflare Downtime 2025 showed how fast one bug can dim the internet. A bot-management config error rippled across Cloudflare’s edge and took major services including X and ChatGPT offline for hours. No attack, just a software failure that hit millions at once. In the very same month, the CMMC final rule took effect (November 10, 2025), kicking off a phased rollout across new DoD contracts. For many awards, a current Level 1 or 2 self-assessment or certification in SPRS is now checked at award. So just as contracts start scoring cyber readiness, a core internet provider reminded everyone how fragile “always on” really is. This Thanksgiving is a good moment to run a quiet resilience check and make sure you’re ready for both audits and outages. When a cloud hiccup becomes your problem If your team depends heavily on Cloudflare (or any single CDN, DNS, or security edge), an outage doesn’t just mean a slow website. It can mean: For contractors working under DFARS clauses and preparing for CMMC Level 2, availability and integrity aren’t just good practice, they tie directly into the NIST SP 800-171 control families behind Level 2 (access control, audit and accountability, incident response, contingency planning, and system integrity). If the internet blinks during the holiday rush, can you keep meeting those expectations on Cloudflare Downtime 2025? Thanksgiving Lens: What are you Thankful You Tested? Instead of only asking “what went wrong for Cloudflare,” this is a chance to ask: Those questions sit right at the intersection of Cloudflare downtime and CMMC resilience. A Combined Cloudflare + CMMC resilience checklist Since the Cloudflare Downtime 2025 use this as a Thanksgiving “table-top” conversation with your IT, security, and contracts teams. 1. Multi-CDN and DNS posture 2. CUI enclave and access 3. Evidence that matches your policies 4. SPRS and award readiness 5. Communication playbook A 30-day “Post-Cloudflare” plan You don’t need a huge project to make progress before year-end. 1st Week – Map and review 2nd Week – Tighten weak points 3rd Week – Run a small drill 4th Week – Fold it into CMMC By the end of the month, you haven’t just thought about Cloudflare’s outage you’ve turned it into proof that your own systems, people, and processes can adapt. How this ties back to your CMMC story CMMC isn’t only about stopping attackers. It’s about showing that your organization can keep DoD missions moving when any part of the stack misbehaves cloud, CDN, ISP, or identity provider. The Cloudflare downtime was one of those rare, public stress tests for the global internet. The contractors who will feel confident in 2026 and beyond will be the ones who can say, calmly and with evidence: Your Holiday Next Step If you’d like a second set of eyes on your Cloudflare (or other CDN/DNS) footprint and how it lines up with your CMMC roadmap, Centrend can walk your team through a short resilience review, map simple improvements, and help you turn this month’s outage into a practical win for next year’s audits and awards. Ready to turn this month’s outage lessons into a concrete plan? Book a short Cloudflare + CMMC resilience review with Centrend.

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Cloudflare Outage Readiness graphic showing an engineer managing multi-CDN routing, DNS failover, and observability in a server room

Cloudflare Outage Readiness: Multi-CDN and DNS Failover Plan

Cloudflare Outage Readiness moved from theory to reality on November 18, 2025, when large parts of the web blinked at once. Sites and apps from X to ChatGPT saw hours of disruption before traffic stabilized. Cloudflare later explained that a massive configuration file triggered a software failure, not an attack. The outage is over; the lesson is not. Why leaders should act now One provider can be a single point of failure for traffic, security, and DNS. A resilient runtime spreads risk across providers so a fault in one path does not stop you from serving users. Outages at core internet platforms are rare, but they move markets and momentum when they happen.  Cloudflare Outage Readiness Goal Keep pages up and transactions flowing during a provider incident using two levers: multi-CDN delivery and DNS failover with health checks. Multi-CDN in plain English Use more than one CDN so traffic can shift if one path slows or fails. A good setup steers users by health and performance and can reach five-nine availability when built well.  How to design it Config parity checklist Caching rules, compression, image transforms, TLS versions, WAF rules, bot rules, edge redirects, WebSockets, HTTP/2 or HTTP/3, and any signed URL logic. DNS failover that works Authoritative DNS decides where users go. Failover updates DNS answers when health checks see an outage. Short TTLs make changes take effect faster.  Build the layer Monitoring Run external probes from more than one network to confirm both CDNs and your origins are healthy. Keep alerts simple and fast. 30-60-90 day rollout 1.Days 1–30 2.Days 31–60 3.Days 61–90 Common pitfalls that break failover What to test before you call it done Lessons from recent incidents Cloudflare’s November 18 outage tied to a config file bug shows how a single platform issue can ripple across the web. Cloudflare has had other incidents this year and publishes technical details and fixes after they occur, which helps teams plan guardrails. The best time to build a second path is before you need it.  Quick template you can copy Traffic: DNS steering to CDN A or CDN B with health checksCDNs: same cache rules, same redirects, same TLSOrigins: two regions, read replicas where neededMonitoring: independent probes and log alertsDrill: once a quarter, record results and fixes Want help mapping this for your stack? Centrend can pair with your team to design a simple multi-CDN and DNS failover plan, test it, and hand you a runbook you can keep.

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Centrend graphic titled “C3PAO Readiness Checklist: Level 2 Audit Prep” showing a team marking a checklist in a server room.

C3PAO Readiness Checklist: Level 2 Audit Prep

C3PAO Readiness Checklist, award checks are active. A posted score in SPRS helps, but certification is what carries you through evaluation and option years. This guide shows how leaders turn policies into proof that holds up with a C3PAO for CMMC Level 2.  Why This Matters Now What Assessors Look For First POA&M discipline, open items prioritized and tracked to closure within allowed windows. The C3PAO readiness checklist (run this before you book) Scope and boundaryMap CUI data flows, users, apps, devices, vendors.Produce a simple boundary diagram and asset and user inventories. Controls and proofMFA: screenshots or exports showing enforcement for all in-scope accounts.Logging: samples that show useful events retained.Access reviews: add or remove records with approvals.Backups: test logs.IR tabletop: agenda, notes, and follow-ups. DocumentsSSP that reflects the real boundary.Policies and procedures referenced by the SSP.Change control tickets with testing and approvals. SPRS touchpointsPost the self-assessment correctly.Keep the affirmation current.Ensure CMMC UIDs align to the assessed systems. Subcontractors Verify each sub’s level and SPRS status before proposal time; keep a lightweight record. A Simple 30-60-90 Plan 1. Days 0-30 2. Days 31-60 3. Days 61-90 Confirm sub flow-down status; if required, reserve your C3PAO window.  Mock-Audit Script (use in a 60-minute rehearsal) Close: Open POA&M items, owners, and due dates, then next milestones toward certification.  Common Blockers That Slow Certifications What “good” Looks Like On Evidence Where Centrend Fits Get C3PAO-ready: with a short readiness call [Download the Level 2 Evidence Checklist]

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CMMC Level 2 Certification Guide hero with engineer on laptop, audit badge, and document in a server room, Centrend

CMMC Level 2 Certification Guide: Be Audit Ready

CMMC Level 2 Certification award checks are here. The next step is Level 2 certification that holds up under review. This guide gives leaders a clear path scope, evidence, SPRS, and C3PAO readiness without busywork. Status is recorded in SPRS. Many solicitations will require a C3PAO certification as the rollout advances.  What Decision Makers Need to Know Now What Level 2 Really Means Level 2 is proof that controls are implemented and working, not just written. To be taken seriously at award and through performance, you will need: A Simple Plan Leaders Can Run First 30 daysIdentify where CUI resides. Record people, apps, devices, vendors. Baseline against NIST 800-171 and collect existing artifacts.  Days 31 to 60Post your self-assessment in SPRS. Add the required details and complete the affirmation. Prioritize fixes for access control, MFA, logging, backups, incident response.  Days 61 to 90Run a short audit rehearsal. Hold brief interviews, walk through artifacts, confirm subcontractor alignment. If required, reserve a C3PAO window.  Evidence Assessors Ask For First (These align to the families and assessment approach of NIST SP 800-171 and its companion assessment guidance.)  Pitfalls That Stall Awards Prime and Sub Alignment Level requirements flow down. Primes must verify that subs have the correct status in SPRS at the same level. Build a light check: collect each sub’s CAGE, level, score date, and affirmation.  How Centrend Helps Next step: Get CMMC Level 2 Cert Ready! Book a short CMMC Level 2 Certification readiness review. Leave with a plan your team can start this week. Meet with a Centrend readiness lead. We map your scope, set your next three steps, and outline timing and effort. [Book Your CMMC Level 2 Readiness Call]

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CMMC Enforcement Nov 10 blog hero showing a compliance checklist and DoD contract award board with approved stamp

CMMC Enforcement Nov 10: Are You Award-Ready?

CMMC Enforcement Nov 10, the Department of Defense (DoD) can enforce CMMC at the time of award or extension. If your self-assessment is missing or your SPRS status is wrong you risk getting ruled out before you’re even considered. And the rule is final. The clock is ticking. And if you’re not tracking what’s changing, your pipeline could dry up faster than you think. Why This Matters Now Your eligibility isn’t just about pricing or past performance anymore. Contracting officers will now check your SPRS entry before award. And if you’re not showing a valid Level 1 or 2 self-assessment?You may never make it past evaluation. What’s Changing with CMMC – Final Rule Effective Nov 10– CMMC UID assigned in SPRS to each system that handles FCI or CUI– Applies to both primes and subs– COTS-only contracts are exempt Even for smaller awards or renewals, SPRS visibility matters now. The Phased Timeline (What’s Required and When) Phase 1 Starts Nov 10, 2025:Level 1 and many Level 2 self-assessments must be posted in SPRS. Some Level 2 contracts may already require C3PAO certification. Phase 2 Nov 10, 2026:Third-party Level 2 assessments show up in more solicitations. Phase 3 Nov 10, 2027:Level 2 C3PAO certification becomes the norm across most relevant awards. Level 3 begins appearing for high-priority programs. Phase 4 Nov 10, 2028:Full rollout. Every DoD award involving FCI/CUI enforces CMMC compliance. Why Waiting Is a Risk SPRS entries must be accurate now.Self-assessments take time especially for Level 2.C3PAO assessment slots are limited.Delays = missed awards. How to Get Started Now Flow compliance downstream to subs. Where Centrend Comes In We don’t just consult we help GovCons get award-ready and stay that way: Scoping & Segmentation – Clarify where FCI/CUI lives, reduce risk exposureLevel Identification – Map contract needs to the correct CMMC levelSPRS Self-Assessment Support – We guide the process and ensure accurate postingLevel 2 Readiness – Gap lists, POA&Ms, SSPs, audit rehearsalOperational Maintenance – Reviews, sub-tier checklists, patching protocols Final Takeaway This rule is already in motion and if you’re not in the SPRS system or your assessment is out of date you’re at risk of losing contracts you’re qualified to win. Let Centrend help you go from unsure to award-ready, fast. [Book Your FREE CMMC Readiness Call]

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Illustration of a masked hacker stealing credit card data through a QR code scam, with a “Scan Me” sign and smartphone in a dark office setting

QR Code Phishing Defense: Read Before You Scan

QR Code Phishing Defense.One sticker. One poster. One scan.That’s all it takes for a credential theft or payment fraud. QR phishing is on the rise and it’s not by accident.Attackers are shifting away from email to target your phone, where security filters fall short and domain previews are harder to verify. In 2025, we’ve seen a sharp uptick in QR-based scams like fake parking meter stickers and “track your package” codes that lead to spoofed login pages. They’re fast, convincing, and built to sidestep everything your email gateway protects. One scan is all it takes. QR Code Phishing: Build Habits, Not Just Warnings Turn everyday scans into second-nature security. What to do in the moment: Pause → PreviewBefore scanning, check if your phone can preview the destination. If the code’s already scanned, long-press the link and inspect it. Look closely at the domain: misspelled brands, extra characters, or odd endings like .co instead of .com are major red flags. Verify → Use Official Apps When it comes to payments parking, utilities, deliveries don’t trust a sticker or flyer. Use the official app or a saved bookmark instead of following an unfamiliar QR code. Report → Share FastIf it feels off, report it. Right away.Your early warning can help stop a scam before it spreads. Make it easy to say, “This looks weird” no judgment, just shared vigilance. QR Phishing Defense, What to set up this week “Scan-or-Skip?” DrillGrab three QR examples one real, two risky. Ask your team: which one would you trust? Why? Build pattern recognition through discussion, not fear. Parking & Package PSAPin a quick reminder: “Don’t scan QR codes on meters or surprise deliveries. Use the app.” Simple, visual, easy to remember. Passwordless PushWhere you can, shift critical logins to phishing-resistant authentication (FIDO/WebAuthn). That one move can blunt the impact of a bad scan. What’s Happening Out There Malicious QR Codes Are EverywhereIn Q2 2025 alone, over 635,000 unique malicious QR codes were detected and 1.7 million+ in the six months prior. Scams in the WildQR stickers placed on parking meters and signage have scammed drivers and harvested payments. Consumer alerts are ongoing. FBI Warnings ContinueLaw enforcement has flagged suspicious QR codes on unsolicited packages—designed to steal login credentials or push malware. Final Takeaway You can’t filter a scan.But you can build habits that pause, preview, verify and report. That one extra second?It could be your strongest layer of defense. Want a ready-to-use “QR Spot Check” drill for your team?Let’s connect we’ll walk you through a short rollout plan tailored to your workflows. No pressure, just prevention. [Book Your FREE QR Spot Check Drill Today]

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Spot the Fake Domain That Outsmarts Even the Trained Eye

Spot the Fake Domain Before it’s too late.One quick skim.One login screen.One domain that almost looked right. That’s all it takes for credentials to be handed over without anyone realizing until it’s too late. Even experienced users fall for fake domains.Why? Because they’re designed to win at speed to blend in, feel familiar, and never trigger a second glance. Cybercriminals aren’t just sending spam anymore.They’re crafting nearly flawless copies of your trusted tools, brands, and URLs. And the smartest person in the room?They’re often the first to click. Spot the Fake Domain that Tricks Smart Users These aren’t obvious scams.They’re visual replicas built to trick muscle memory, not just judgment. Here’s how they get past your filters and your instincts: No malware. No red flags. Just one wrong domain in a sea of legit ones. Spot the Fake Domain that Even Smart Users Miss It It’s not carelessness. It’s design. People are wired to move quickly especially in digital spaces they trust.And when attackers lean on that trust, they don’t need to exploit a system…They just need a moment. That’s why even trained professionals fall for lookalike domains.Because training builds knowledge.But real protection requires instinct. Spot the Fake Domain to Build URL Awareness as a Habit Spotting fake domains isn’t about memorizing a checklist.It’s about creating a culture where people slow down just enough to catch what software can’t. Here’s how to start building that awareness: 1. Run Internal “URL Spot Checks” Drop two similar links into a team chat or training slide.One legit. One fake.Ask: Which one is safe? It’s fast. It’s visual. And it builds pattern recognition without pressure. 2. Highlight Real Phishing Domain Tricks Don’t train with overly fake examples.Use real red flags from recent campaigns: Let your team see what real attackers actually do. 3. Make Reporting Safe and Simple Sometimes someone spots a sketchy link but hesitates to report it.Fix that. Make “I think this looks weird” a welcome phrase not a moment of embarrassment.A shared Slack channel. A pinned email. A visual checklist.Whatever makes reporting fast and judgement-free. Cybersecurity That Starts Before the Click The best phishing emails don’t scream “I’m a scam.”They whisper, “You’ve seen me before.” And unless your people are trained to stop and lookThe message gets through. So does the damage. But if they pause long enough to catch the subtle switch?That one second becomes your strongest defense. Final Takeaway Technology stops a lot.But fake domains are built to outsmart habits not just firewalls. If you want your team to really spot what matters,you need more than policies.You need training that teaches people to see what tools don’t. Want to help your team build that instinct?Let’s talk. We’ll walk you through simple ways to reduce risk without adding more noise.[Book a time that works for you]

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An office employee hesitating before interacting with a suspicious email, symbolizing how phishing exploits human behavior and the psychology behind the click.

Psychology Behind The Click: Why Smart People Fall for Phishing

Psychology Behind The ClickOne email.One moment of distraction.One perfectly timed message. That’s all it takes for a phishing attack to land. And often, it’s not the careless who fall for it, it’s the high performers, the fast decision makers, the trusted leaders. Phishing isn’t a technical problem alone.It’s a psychological strategy, designed to target how humans think, respond, and move through a busy day. Psychology Behind the Click Reveals Why Even Smart People Fall for It These messages aren’t obvious. They’re engineered to blend in.Attackers use social cues, visual familiarity, and emotional timing to get through even the best defenses. Here’s why they work: The issue isn’t intelligence. It’s the psychology behind the click.It’s that the brain is wired to react first, then process. Psychology Behind the Click Shows How Phishing Outsmarts Instincts You can roll out every best practice: But that one message disguised just well enough can still get through. When someone clicks, it’s not failure.It’s proof the message was designed to work. So What Does Work? To counter phishing tactics, your cybersecurity strategy must build mental habits, not just technical protocols. Here’s how to shift from reaction to resilience: 1. Teach a Habit of “Pause and Review” Encourage every employee to take a beat especially when something feels just slightly off. 2. Use Realistic Training Examples Show real screenshots, red flag patterns, and messages based on your actual internal style.Not sanitized mock-ups actual lookalikes. 3. Make Reporting Easy and Encouraged No fear. No shame.Every “this looks weird” report helps improve team awareness.Celebrate submissions even false alarms. This Is a Culture Shift Not a Checklist Cybersecurity isn’t just about firewalls and passwords.It’s about how your people think, respond, and communicate especially under pressure. The phishing landscape evolves fast.But the right habits evolve with it. Final Takeaway  Smart people don’t fall for phishing because they’re careless they fall because attackers understand psychology. The best defense? A team that doesn’t just know better, but acts on it. If you’re looking to strengthen your human firewall, let’s connect.We’re happy to walk you through practical ways to reduce everyday risk. Schedule a quick, no pressure call to get started:Book a time that works for you

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Illustration of employees standing in front of a digital firewall, symbolizing a strong human firewall during Cybersecurity Awareness Month, with a focus on team awareness, phishing prevention, and workplace cybersecurity culture.

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Human Firewall

Cybersecurity Awareness Month Human Firewall. Even the best security tools can’t stop a well-crafted phishing email if someone clicks. And that’s exactly what attackers count on human error.One typo.One fake invoice.One fast click. That’s all it takes for ransomware to spread, data to leak, or your operations to grind to a halt. Even the best security tools can’t stop a well-crafted phishing email if someone clicks. And that’s exactly what attackers count on human error. Cybersecurity Awareness Month Human Firewall: Your People Are the Front Line You’ve enforced multi-factor authentication. Your devices auto-update. The firewall is solid. But what about the human side of your defense? Cybersecurity is no longer just a tech issue it’s a people issue. Cybersecurity Awareness Month Human Firewall: Build Cyber Habits, Not Just Awareness This Cybersecurity Awareness Month, go beyond check-the-box training. Build a culture where every team member becomes a line of defense. Here’s how to reinforce your human firewall one habit at a time: 1. Teach Real-World Threat Spotting Show actual phishing emails (with red flags highlighted).Use your chat app or intranet to run “Spot the phish” challenges.Turn passive learning into active recognition. 2. Normalize “Pause and Verify” Fast clicks lead to big breaches. Slow things down.Make thoughtful, double-check behavior the team standard.Celebrate moments when people don’t click and verify first. 3. Eliminate Shame in Reporting Encourage all reports even if they turn out to be nothing.Track and share your team’s “phishing stopped” stats.Make cyber wins part of team wins not just IT’s problem. This Week’s 20-Minute Fixes You don’t need a long training module to make progress today. Start small: Cyber Starts with Culture You can’t patch people. But you can build better instincts. When your team knows how to spot a scam, report a suspicious email, and stay alert, they become your strongest defense. Because in 2025, the biggest risk isn’t outdated software it’s a distracted click. And your best cybersecurity investment? A team that knows better.You’ve got the tools now it’s time to align your team. Let’s build the culture behind your firewall.Book a Quick Call and we’ll show you how.

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