Adam Kangiser, Iviry’s Compliance Analyst
In the world of defense contracting, cybersecurity isn’t a “nice-to-have”, it’s a mandate. But for small and mid-sized defense contractors, keeping up with evolving threats and regulatory requirements can feel like trying to fight a fire with a garden hose. The stakes are high, the requirements are complex, and the resources? Often stretched far too thin.
While large enterprises can invest in dedicated security teams, layered defense systems, and round-the-clock monitoring, smaller organizations are left asking a critical question: How do we stay secure and compliant without enterprise-level budgets or headcount?
The good news is, there’s a way forward, one that doesn’t involve overextending your team or compromising on security. It starts by rethinking how cybersecurity is delivered, managed, and scaled.
The Cybersecurity Burden on Small Teams
Many small defense contractors operate with tight margins and lean IT staff sometimes a team of one or two people wearing multiple hats. These teams are responsible for everything from onboarding users to troubleshooting printers and yet, they’re also expected to architect secure environments, manage compliance with frameworks like NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC, and defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.
It’s an impossible balancing act. And as the Department of Defense tightens its expectations around cybersecurity maturity, it’s a risk small businesses simply can’t afford to take.
What’s needed isn’t just more technology it’s a smarter, more scalable model.
Shifting from In-House Pressure to Outsourced Power
This is where managed services come into play. Rather than trying to build an enterprise-grade cybersecurity operation in-house, forward-thinking contractors are leveraging managed security and IT service providers to deliver expertise, tools, and support at a fraction of the cost.
The value here isn’t just in cost savings, it’s in focus and flexibility. With the right partner, small businesses can redirect their internal bandwidth to innovation, delivery, and growth, while ensuring their cyber posture meets federal expectations.
And because these services are designed to scale, you get what you need, no more, no less. That means right-sized support, continuous monitoring, and access to specialized knowledge without the overhead of a full-time cybersecurity department.
Why Cloud Isn’t Just for Big Business
Cloud services are another force multiplier for smaller contractors. Moving to the cloud doesn’t just cut costs on infrastructure it enhances security, simplifies compliance, and enables remote access in ways that on-prem systems struggle to match.
But cloud adoption needs to be strategic. Not all platforms are created equal, and defense contractors must choose solutions that are compliant with federal requirements and adaptable to specific data security needs.
That’s why partnering with providers who understand the nuances of DoD contracts, CUI protections, and FedRAMP-authorized systems is critical. The goal isn’t just migration, it’s modernization.
The Power of Partnership
At Iviry, we’ve worked with dozens of small and mid-sized defense contractors who felt overwhelmed, under-resourced, and uncertain about their cybersecurity path. What they needed wasn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, it was a team-based partnership designed around their mission, their size, and their constraints.
We provide managed services and cloud solutions that are right-sized, not overbuilt. Our approach is collaborative we don’t just plug in tools and walk away. We work alongside your team to create a sustainable, scalable security framework that grows with your business.
Because compliance doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It happens in real-time, in the context of contract deadlines, staffing limitations, and evolving expectations. The right partner doesn’t just provide support, they help carry the load.
Final Thoughts
Small defense contractors are essential to the innovation and agility of the defense industrial base. But their contributions can only continue if their operations are secure, compliant, and resilient.
Cybersecurity doesn’t need to be a bottleneck. With the right strategy grounded in managed services, smart cloud adoption, and trusted partnerships, even the smallest teams can meet the biggest challenges.
So, if your team is feeling the pressure of doing more with less, know this: you don’t have to go it alone. Security at scale is possible. And it’s within reach.
