How to Choose a Compliance Solution That Meets ITAR and CMMC Standards

When it comes to compliance, the tools you rely on can either reduce your risk or add to it. 

For organizations handling defense-related data, both CMMC and ITAR demand strict control over access, encryption, and auditability of sensitive information. But not every solution marketed as “compliance-ready” is built to meet the depth of these standards.

If you’re in the process of evaluating a compliance solution to support your obligations under CMMC standards and ITAR regulations, here’s what you need to know to choose a tool that doesn’t just tick a box but reduces risk, builds trust, and helps you scale with your operations.

Why CMMC and ITAR Set a High Bar for Compliance

Both CMMC and ITAR demand provable technical controls. That means the tools you choose must support strict access governance, enforce encryption at the data level, and create reliable audit trails.

Below are some of the core standards and controls required under each framework:

CMMC Standards Require:

• Role-based access control (RBAC)
• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Continuous monitoring and alerting
• Secure configuration of systems and data flows

ITAR Standards Require:

• Strict export controls for defense-related technical data
• Controls to limit access to authorized individuals under ITAR
• Real-time logging of file access and movement
• End-to-end encryption for data stored and managed in compliant, U.S.-based cloud environments

Both frameworks emphasize data residency, access accountability, and ongoing enforcement, not only initial implementation.

Key Features to Look for in a Compliance Solution

To meet CMMC and ITAR requirements, your compliance solution needs to have more than generic features. It should support specific operational needs tied to regulatory expectations:

1. File-Level Encryption and Access Controls

Traditional device or system-level encryption isn’t enough. You need encryption that travels with the file, restricting access based on user roles and clearance, especially when files are shared or transferred.

✅ What to look for:

• AES-256 or stronger encryption
• User- or group-based access enforcement
• Controls that persist across cloud, email, and removable media

2. Audit Trails That Are Real-Time and Tamper-Proof

Auditors and regulators will ask for logs, not only who accessed a system, but exactly when, where, and how sensitive files were accessed or shared.

✅ What to look for:

• Immutable logs with timestamps and user identity
• Exportable reports for external audits
• Integration with SIEM tools

3. Role-Based Access Across Teams and Contractors

Both CMMC and ITAR demand controlled access, not just internally, but across contractors and supply chains.

✅ What to look for:

• Custom roles and policies by department or clearance
• Easy onboarding/offboarding of third parties
• Monitoring of external data interactions

4. Automated Policy Enforcement

Manual oversight creates gaps. Your compliance solution should allow policies to be enforced automatically, with alerts when exceptions occur.

✅ What to look for:

• Pre-configured templates for CMMC/ITAR
• Automated enforcement of encryption and access policies
• Alerts for policy violations or anomalous behavior

5. Data Sovereignty and Export Control Alignment

ITAR data must not leave U.S. control. A compliance solution must help ensure data residency and access restrictions based on location and citizenship.

✅ What to look for:

• Geo-fencing and access restrictions by region or user classification
• Tools that help validate U.S. person status
• Explicit controls to prevent the unintentional export of ITAR-regulated data

Avoid These Common Pitfalls When Choosing a Compliance Solution

Even mature security teams can overlook critical gaps, so it’s useful to understand the common issues that arise when choosing a solution. 

❌ Assuming cloud storage providers alone ensure compliance

❌ Using system-level encryption without file-level protection

❌ Lacking proof of enforcement for key controls

❌ Relying on manual logs instead of automated audit trails

A strong compliance solution will ultimately reduce operational risk, not just passively support it.

Why Your Compliance Tech Stack Needs to Scale with You

As CMMC requirements tighten and ITAR enforcement increases, compliance becomes an ongoing commitment. Your solution needs to evolve with:

• Your growing contractor base
• Your expanding data footprint
• Your changing infrastructure

That means ease of integration, automation support, and simplified audit readiness should be embedded from the start.

Build Compliance Into How You Operate

Meeting CMMC and ITAR standards should be a natural extension of how your organization handles sensitive data every day. The right compliance solution will embed protection, control, and accountability into your workflows and protect sensitive data no matter where it travels or who accesses it.

Look for a solution that:

✅ Applies encryption and access controls directly at the file level

✅ Automates enforcement to reduce manual risk

✅ Maintains clear audit trails that are inspection-ready at any time

✅ Supports your compliance officer, whether internal or external, in staying ahead of evolving standards

This will allow you to control who can access your data and provide evidence of its protection, making compliance far easier to achieve and maintain.

FAQs: Choosing a Compliance Solution for ITAR and CMMC