Not ready for a Complete Pen Test? How about finding out your Cyber Score in 2 mins? Click here for your Cyber Score
Government Contractor — Case Study

Helping Iron Lift Achieve CMMC Compliance & Secure Federal Contracts

How Capital Cyber guided a growing construction firm through CMMC Level 1 certification, transforming cybersecurity from a compliance burden into a competitive advantage.

October 27, 2025 946 views United States
01
The Company

Iron Lift LLC: Building America's Infrastructure

Iron Lift LLC is a construction company specializing in steel and precast concrete erection, serving both private and government-funded projects. As a growing firm pursuing state and federal contracts, Iron Lift recognized that cybersecurity compliance wasn't just a regulatory checkbox — it was the gateway to their most significant growth opportunities.

Led by President Jenna Rahkonen, the company needed to achieve CMMC Level 1 certification to remain competitive in the government contracting space. Without it, Iron Lift risked being locked out of the federal contracts critical to their expansion strategy.

02
The Challenge

Navigating a Complex Compliance Landscape

Without CMMC certification, Iron Lift faced the very real prospect of losing access to key government contracts. The compliance process was unfamiliar territory — time-consuming, technically complex, and filled with regulatory jargon that felt overwhelming for a construction-focused team.

Iron Lift needed a cybersecurity partner who could translate federal requirements into a clear, actionable roadmap — one that wouldn't drain resources or derail daily operations.

Contract Eligibility at Risk

Inability to bid on federal projects without CMMC certification

Regulatory Complexity

Navigating NIST scores, SPRS requirements, and IT security protocols

Limited Internal Expertise

No dedicated cybersecurity or compliance team in-house

Resource Constraints

Needing an affordable solution that wouldn't disrupt daily operations

03
The Solution

A Tailored, Expert-Led Compliance Roadmap

After evaluating multiple cybersecurity partners, Iron Lift chose Capital Cyber for their deep expertise in federal compliance regulations and their ability to deliver a tailored, affordable, and manageable cybersecurity plan. Capital Cyber became more than a vendor — they became a strategic compliance partner.

Step-by-Step CMMC Level 1 Guidance

Biweekly Progress Reviews

IT Security & Managed Services

Security Score Improvement

04
The Results

Measurable Impact, Lasting Security

Through Capital Cyber's efficient and methodical approach, Iron Lift transformed its cybersecurity posture and unlocked new business opportunities. What once felt like an overwhelming compliance burden became a strategic competitive advantage.

100%
CMMC Level 1 Compliant
Passing
NIST Score Achieved
Level 2
Now In Progress
Federal
Contract Ready

Passing NIST Score Achieved

Systematic remediation brought Iron Lift's NIST score to full compliance with federal benchmarks

CMMC Level 1 Compliance Met

Successfully achieved certification through Capital Cyber's phased, step-by-step guidance

Federal Contract Competitiveness

Iron Lift can now bid on government contracts that previously required CMMC certification

Strengthened Business Reputation

CMMC certification signals trust and security maturity to government and private-sector clients alike

“Capital Cyber made the entire CMMC process manageable. Their expertise in federal regulations gave us confidence, and their step-by-step approach meant we were never left guessing. They didn't just help us check a box — they made our business more secure and more competitive.”
JR
Jenna Rahkonen
President, Iron Lift LLC
05
What's Next

Advancing to CMMC Level 2

Iron Lift is now preparing for CMMC Level 2 certification with Capital Cyber, continuing their cybersecurity journey with a trusted partner. This next phase will expand their compliance posture to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and qualify for even higher-value federal contracts.

What began as a compliance requirement has become a long-term strategic partnership — one that positions Iron Lift for sustained growth in the government contracting space.

Need CMMC compliance for your contracts?

Get expert guidance on CMMC certification, NIST assessments, and managed cybersecurity for government contractors.