What Are You Missing in Your Microsoft 365 Setup for CMMC?

You’ve invested in Microsoft 365. Your teams are trained, your tools are in place, and your environment seems secure. But if you’re preparing for CMMC compliance, your current setup may be missing critical components. Many organizations assume Microsoft 365 equals readiness—until the auditor arrives.


Here’s what to check before you move forward.







1. You're Still in a Commercial Tenant


The most common (and critical) oversight? Running Microsoft 365 Commercial while handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).


Why it matters:





  • Commercial tenants are not authorized for CUI




  • You’ll likely fail CMMC Level 2 assessments




  • Even “secure” configurations won’t meet compliance expectations





This is why many contractors start with GCC High migration services to move their operations into an environment built for federal security requirements.







2. Your Licenses Aren’t Aligned with Compliance Goals


Not all Microsoft 365 licenses include the tools you need to meet access control, encryption, and monitoring requirements.


Look out for:





  • Missing audit logs and retention features




  • Limited control over external sharing




  • Inability to implement Conditional Access Policies




Fix it: Work with licensing experts who understand CMMC and can help you right-size your setup.







3. You Haven’t Enabled (or Enforced) Critical Security Features


It’s not enough to have the right features—you need to use them effectively.


Checklist:





  • Is Multi-Factor Authentication enforced on all accounts?




  • Are your devices enrolled in endpoint management?




  • Do you log and monitor access to CUI?




  • Are data loss prevention (DLP) policies active and audited?








4. You Don’t Have the Documentation to Prove It


CMMC isn’t about best effort—it’s about evidence. Many Microsoft 365 tenants lack the documentation to back up what they’ve implemented.


You’ll need:





  • System Security Plan (SSP)




  • Configuration baselines




  • Role-based access documentation




  • Screenshots, logs, and policies








Microsoft 365 is a powerful tool—but it won’t make you CMMC-ready out of the box. If your current setup isn’t aligned with federal standards, now is the time to make changes. Starting with the right environment—like GCC High—and building from there ensures your investment supports both productivity and compliance.

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