The recent finalization of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) by the U.S. Department of Defense, effective November 10, 2025, imposes stringent cybersecurity standards on defense contractors, requiring assessments from self-certification to third-party audits to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). India’s defense sector is also stepping up its cybersecurity with the 2025 Security Manual for Licensed Defence Industries (SMLDI 2025) and new government mandates that emphasize biometric access controls, comprehensive employee vetting, and cyber audits to enhance defenses against cyber threats, particularly from regional adversaries. While CMMC introduces a tiered maturity model covering over 300,000 U.S. defense contractors to ensure standardized cybersecurity readiness, India’s approach is more nascent but rapidly evolving through institutional frameworks like the Defence Cyber Agency and DRDO’s compliance mandates. Unlike the U.S. model’s certification layers, India is focusing on strengthening internal security protocols and cyber operational capabilities within its defense industrial base. Both countries underscore cybersecurity’s critical role in national defense, with India’s measures reflecting an adaptive response to emerging cyber warfare threats, positioning it to progressively align with global standards like the U.S. CMMC framework