When most people hear about CMMC compliance, they picture firewalls, encryption, and long IT checklists. But the truth is, technology can only take you so far. The real difference comes from people, the employees, contractors, and leaders who handle sensitive information every day. That’s why Human Resources and People Operations are such an important part of the compliance journey.
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Why HR Matters in CMMC Compliance
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) was designed to safeguard Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). IT departments focus on securing systems and data, but HR ensures the people behind those systems are trustworthy, properly onboarded or offboarded, and documented for audit purposes. In other words, HR manages the human element of cybersecurity, the part that technology alone can’t cover.
The Role of HR in Managing Access and Onboarding
At BEMO, we embed this principle into the way we work. Before someone new joins the company, our HR team makes sure background checks are completed and confidentiality agreements are signed. This helps establish trust from the very beginning and ensures that sensitive information is only handled by qualified and vetted individuals.
Managing access doesn’t stop at the hiring stage. One of the biggest risks to compliance in any organization is outdated or unused system access. At BEMO, HR works hand in hand with IT to ensure that accounts and permissions are provisioned correctly when someone joins, updated quickly when roles change, and revoked immediately when an employee or contractor departs. By staying closely aligned with IT, we make sure no unmonitored accounts remain active, closing off a risk that could otherwise be overlooked.
Training and Awareness: Empowering Employees to Stay Secure
Another key area is training and awareness. Policies only work if people understand and apply them, and at BEMO, this responsibility belongs entirely to our IT team. Using platforms like KnowBe4, IT delivers mandatory cybersecurity training and phishing simulations to all employees, manages reminders, and tracks completion. From the HR perspective, our role is simply to ensure that training requirements are incorporated into the employee lifecycle and that every team member has the opportunity to complete it. IT leads the program, while HR stays aligned so that compliance is seamless across the organization.
Policy management and documentation are also at the heart of HR’s contribution. During a CMMC audit, proof matters. HR ensures employees and contractors not only receive policies but also acknowledge them, with records maintained in an audit-ready format. To make this process seamless, we leverage tools like Drata to distribute policies, capture acknowledgments, and centralize compliance documentation. This gives us confidence that nothing falls through the cracks.
Building Compliance into Company Culture
CMMC compliance is more than system settings and security tools—it’s about creating a culture where security is embedded in daily operations. Without HR’s involvement, organizations risk unscreened hires, incomplete documentation, and employees who are unprepared to recognize threats. With HR fully engaged, compliance becomes smoother, audits are less stressful, and the organization is better protected overall.
The HR + IT Partnership at BEMO
At BEMO, we believe the foundation of success is a partnership between HR and IT. HR ensures that people are vetted, documented, and managed correctly throughout their employment, while IT secures the systems and delivers the technical controls. Together, we create a compliance framework where people and technology reinforce one another.
People at the Center of Compliance
The most advanced firewall in the world won’t protect an organization if people aren’t prepared to support it. HR helps ensure that compliance is built into everyday practices—a culture of trust, accountability, and resilience. In the journey toward CMMC compliance, HR is not simply an administrative function. It is a strategic partner in strengthening both security and long-term compliance success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much human participation is needed in CMMC if I use an automation platform?
Automation platforms like Drata can simplify compliance by handling documentation, monitoring, and reporting. However, automation only goes so far. You still need trained, knowledgeable staff to interpret results, make access decisions, train users, and respond to risks. Compliance success depends on human oversight, technology simply makes the process smoother.
What is the recommended awareness training for CMMC compliance?
At BEMO, we use KnowBe4, a leading cybersecurity awareness platform. It provides interactive training, phishing simulations, and progress tracking to ensure all employees understand and apply security best practices. Consistent, high-quality training is one of the best ways to reduce human-related security risks.
What percentage of data leaks or breaches are caused by user error?
According to industry studies, around 80–90% of data breaches are linked to human error—whether from weak passwords, phishing, or misconfigured systems. That’s why employee awareness and strong HR + IT collaboration are essential parts of the CMMC journey.
How does HR help during a CMMC audit?
HR maintains documentation that auditors look for—like background checks, confidentiality agreements, policy acknowledgments, and training records. Having this data centralized and audit-ready through platforms like Drata helps streamline the certification process.
Why is offboarding important for compliance?
When an employee or contractor leaves, immediate removal of system access is crucial. Unused or outdated accounts are a common source of data breaches. HR and IT must coordinate to disable access quickly and keep records updated for compliance verification.
Can small businesses handle CMMC compliance without a large IT team?
Yes, but it’s challenging. Many SMBs partner with managed compliance providers like BEMO, who offer automation tools, expert guidance, and structured HR-IT processes that make compliance achievable without hiring full-time specialists.
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