CMMC · Scope Strategy

CMMC Enclave vs. ®: Two Scope Strategies for CMMC Level 2

An enclave tries to shrink where CUI lives. ® secures and monitors the environment that actually runs your business. Here’s how to decide which approach fits — and when to use both.

USX Cyber Compliance Team ~9 min read

Most defense contractors asking about CMMC Level 2 land on the same crossroads: should we put our Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) into an enclave, or should we secure the environment we already run? Both can get you certified. They’re different strategies, not different products — and the right choice depends less on which is “better” and more on how CUI flows through your business today.

This post breaks down what an enclave actually is, what ® does differently, and how to match the approach to your operations without pretending either one is a magic button.

What is a CMMC enclave?

An enclave is a logically (and often physically) isolated environment where CUI is stored, processed, and transmitted — usually a dedicated tenant such as Microsoft 365 GCC High, a hardened virtual desktop environment, or an isolated on-prem segment. Everything CUI-related happens inside the enclave; everything else — email, general file shares, productivity apps — stays outside it.

The point of an enclave is scope reduction. CMMC Level 2 requires the 110 practices in NIST SP 800-171 r2 to apply to every system that stores, processes, or transmits CUI. If only a small, tightly controlled environment touches CUI, the assessment scope — and the work to prove compliance — shrinks with it.

An enclave answers the question, “Where does CUI live?” ® answers the question, “Is the environment handling it actually secure?”

What ® does differently

® isn’t a scope strategy — it’s the security operations platform that runs whichever scope you choose. It bundles 24/7 SOC monitoring, managed EDR/XDR, SIEM (30 days hot / 1 year cold), vulnerability management with weekly reporting, endpoint hardening to CIS Benchmarks and DISA STIGs, user awareness training, and the GRC automation that turns those operations into audit evidence.

Rather than moving CUI into a smaller box and accepting the daily friction of working through it, ® applies the controls CMMC Level 2 requires to the environment your team already uses. It treats the security and the evidence as the same job.

Enclave approach

Shrink the scope

Move CUI into an isolated tenant. Keep it out of the rest of the business. Apply 800-171 controls to a smaller surface.

  • Smaller audit footprint
  • User workflow goes through the enclave
  • Per-user licensing (e.g., GCC High)
  • Still requires the 110 practices inside the enclave
® approach

Secure the whole environment

Apply SOC monitoring, EDR, SIEM, hardening, and GRC automation to the systems your team actually uses. Evidence is produced from real operations.

  • Security posture lifted across the business
  • Users work the way they already work
  • Bundled subscription, one vendor
  • Evidence generated continuously from operations

When an enclave makes sense

Enclaves are a legitimate strategy. They work particularly well when CUI is narrow, predictable, and touches a small group of people. If a handful of engineers draft CUI documents for one or two DoD contracts, confining that work to an isolated tenant is often the lowest-friction way to keep the rest of the business out of CMMC scope.

  • CUI is handled by a small, identifiable subset of users.
  • CUI workflows are self-contained — no constant crossover with general IT.
  • You want to minimize the portion of your environment subject to the 110 practices.
  • You’re willing to accept the daily workflow friction of moving in and out of the enclave.
Reality check

An enclave doesn’t eliminate the 110 practices — it just concentrates them. You still need SIEM, EDR, incident response, vulnerability management, training, and documentation inside the enclave. If that operational work still has to happen, the question becomes: who runs it, and how does the evidence get produced?

When ® fits better

Enclaves buckle when CUI flows are blurry. If engineering, sales, and operations all touch CUI at some point — or if your team reasonably expects to handle CUI in the same tools they use for everything else — pushing them through an isolated tenant creates shadow IT faster than it reduces scope. In those cases, securing the environment you already run is usually the more honest path.

  • CUI touches multiple teams or flows through everyday tools.
  • You want to raise security posture across the business, not just one tenant.
  • You don’t have an internal SOC and don’t want to build one.
  • You’d rather pay for one bundled platform than stitch together a best-of-breed stack.
  • You want audit evidence to be a byproduct of running security, not a quarterly scramble.

You can use both

This is not a binary choice. Plenty of contractors keep CUI in an enclave and run ® across the rest of the business. The enclave narrows where CUI officially lives; ® secures the endpoints, identities, and network surrounding it and produces evidence for any assets that remain in scope.

In practice this often looks like: GCC High for CUI authoring and storage; ® providing SOC monitoring, endpoint protection, vulnerability management, training, and GRC automation for the rest of the corporate environment — including the endpoints used to access the enclave itself.

What’s on the audit either way

Regardless of which strategy you choose, CMMC Level 2 requires the same 110 practices to be operational on every in-scope asset. The enclave decides how big “in-scope” is; ® decides how those practices actually get delivered.

How to decide

The honest starting point is a data-flow conversation, not a product conversation. Map where CUI actually enters your business, who touches it, and what tools they use to do so. Only then can you tell whether an enclave genuinely reduces scope — or whether it just moves the problem without solving it.

At USX Cyber we help contractors run that scoping exercise before recommending an approach. Sometimes the answer is “enclave plus ®.” Sometimes it’s “® alone, applied to a well-defined boundary.” It’s rarely “enclave alone” — because even a small enclave still needs the 110 practices running inside it, and that work doesn’t do itself.

Frequently asked questions

What is a CMMC enclave?

A logically and often physically isolated environment — typically a GCC High or dedicated VDI tenant — where CUI is stored, processed, and transmitted. The goal is to shrink the CMMC Level 2 assessment scope.

How is ® different from an enclave?

An enclave is a scope-reduction strategy — it decides where CUI lives. ® is a security and compliance platform that protects and monitors whichever environment handles it.

Can I use an enclave and ® together?

Yes. Many contractors run CUI workflows inside an enclave and use ® to secure endpoints, identities, and the broader corporate environment around it.

Which is cheaper for a small contractor?

It depends on how your users work. Enclaves add per-user licensing and workflow friction. ® is a bundled subscription covering the existing environment. Contractors whose CUI touches only a few users often prefer an enclave; contractors where CUI is embedded across the business typically prefer ®.

Does an enclave automatically make me CMMC Level 2 compliant?

No. It reduces scope, but the 110 NIST SP 800-171 r2 practices still apply inside the enclave. SIEM, EDR, incident response, vulnerability management, training, and documentation are still required.

Bottom line

Pick the scope. Then pick how you’ll actually run it.

An enclave is a strategy for where CUI lives. ® is how the 110 practices actually get delivered. Most contractors benefit from thinking about them in that order — not treating them as competing products.

Unifying Cybersecurity and IT Management: USX Cyber Unveils the Next Evolution of XDR

New RMM Integration Empowers Businesses with Seamless Endpoint Visibility, Real-Time Threat Response, and Proactive IT Automation

Vienna, VA – 2/13/2025 – USX Cyber, a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, today announced the latest evolution of its flagship ™ XDR platform—now integrating advanced Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) capabilities. This powerful upgrade transforms into a comprehensive cybersecurity and IT management platform, enabling businesses to detect, respond, and remediate threats—all within a single solution.

A Unified Approach to Security and IT Management

Traditional cybersecurity solutions focus on detection and response, often leaving IT teams struggling with remediation and ongoing system management. With XDR’s latest enhancements, security and IT operations converge into a unified solution, providing:

Why This Matters

Cyber threats are evolving at an unprecedented rate, and organizations can no longer afford to have siloed security and IT management. By integrating RMM capabilities, XDR enables IT and security teams to work in unison—eliminating inefficiencies, reducing downtime, and significantly improving response times.

Unlike conventional cybersecurity platforms that rely on third-party tools for remediation, XDR’s built-in capabilities provide:

Setting a New Standard for Cybersecurity Excellence

Many organizations struggle to balance robust security with efficient IT management. XDR’s advanced integration closes this gap, delivering an intelligent, automated, and proactive defense system that strengthens security postures while empowering IT teams to maintain optimal system health and compliance—without unnecessary complexity.

“With XDR’s latest advancements, we’re redefining what cybersecurity means for businesses and MSPs. It’s no longer just about detecting threats—it’s about eliminating them, automating IT management, and streamlining operations in a way no other platform can. This evolution cements XDR as the most complete security and IT management solution on the market.”

– Cole McKinley, Chief Technology Officer, USX Cyber

USX Cyber to Showcase Cutting-Edge XDR Solutions for MSPs at the MSP Expo 2025, Part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW

Vienna, VA – February 4th, 2025 – USX Cyber, a leader in AI-driven cybersecurity solutions, today announced its participation as a Silver Sponsor for MSP Expo 2025, part of the #TECHSUPERSHOW, taking place February 11-13, 2025, at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

MSP Expo is the premier conference and networking summit where Managed Service Providers (MSPs) come together to explore new technologies, strategies, and business opportunities that drive success in the managed services industry.

“We’re glad to welcome USX Cyber as a Silver sponsor of MSP Expo in 2025,” said Rich Tehrani, TMC’s CEO. “USX Cyber provides dynamic cybersecurity defense to businesses of all sizes, eliminating threats regardless of location. They are a must-see at MSP Expo.”

USX Cyber at MSP Expo 2025

At MSP Expo, USX Cyber will showcase , its advanced eXtended Detection and Response (XDR) platform, that integrates real-time threat detection, AI-driven analysis, and seamless compliance management.

USX Cyber is empowering MSPs to increase revenue, reduce costs, and elevate security operations—all from a single pane of glass.

“We’re thrilled to be part of MSP Expo 2025 and to connect with the MSP community. The cybersecurity landscape is evolving rapidly, and MSPs need solutions that are both powerful and easy to manage. With , we’re giving MSPs the ability to deliver enterprise-grade security without the complexity. We can’t wait to showcase how our technology is driving real business growth for MSPs,” said Rod Volz, Chief Growth Officer, USX Cyber.

USX Cyber’s XDR: Accelerating Security and CMMC Compliance

Vienna, Virginia — January 2nd, 2025 — USX Cyber, a leader in cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, announces its flagship platform, XDR, which strengthens security while simplifying the path to CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) compliance for Defense Industrial Base (DIB) organizations.

As the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) heightens its commitment to protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), CMMC compliance has become crucial for contractors and subcontractors working with the federal government. XDR addresses this challenge head-on, combining advanced security with compliance-oriented features to protect organizations and streamline certification.

XDR: Strengthening Cybersecurity Posture

XDR (Extended Detection and Response) is a robust cybersecurity platform designed to protect against a wide range of cyber threats. Its key capabilities include:

Simplifying and Accelerating CMMC Compliance

XDR is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of CMMC. The platform delivers:

Bridging the Gap Between Compliance and Security

Compliance is vital for eligibility, but alone, it cannot shield organizations from evolving threats. XDR integrates robust security measures with compliance adherence, delivering:

“Achieving CMMC compliance is a necessary step for organizations working with the DoD, but compliance alone does not ensure full protection against today’s sophisticated cyber threats,” said Frank Hughes, Chief Information Officer at USX Cyber. “ XDR not only addresses the technical and documentation requirements of CMMC but also provides the robust security safeguards that organizations need to operate confidently in an increasingly hostile cyber landscape.”

USX Cyber’s XDR Aligns with Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture to Empower MSPs with Next-Generation Security Solutions

Vienna, Virginia – November 27, 2024 – USX Cyber, a leader in cybersecurity innovation, announces that its XDR platform aligns seamlessly with the principles of Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture (CSMA), delivering powerful, scalable, and integrated security solutions for Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Designed to meet the unique challenges of securing distributed environments, XDR empowers MSPs to deliver enterprise-grade security to their clients with simplicity and efficiency.

Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture: A Framework for MSP Success
CSMA provides a flexible and integrated security approach, ideal for MSPs managing multiple clients across varied IT environments. XDR integrates CSMA principles into its core design, helping MSPs streamline operations, adapt to client needs, and deliver comprehensive protection against emerging threats.

Key Features of XDR Supporting CSMA:

“MSPs face unique challenges in managing security across diverse client environments,” said Clyde Goldbach, Chief Executive Officer of USX Cyber. “ XDR is built with those needs in mind, aligning with Cybersecurity Mesh Architecture to offer a unified, flexible, and intelligent platform that empowers MSPs to provide seamless, enterprise-grade protection for their clients.”

By aligning with CSMA, XDR positions MSPs to confidently manage complex, distributed security needs while delivering unmatched value to their customers. USX Cyber’s focus on innovation ensures MSPs stay ahead of attackers and bad actors in providing cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

USX Cyber Launches AI-Powered Guided Mitigation in XDR to Simplify High-Stakes Incident Response

Vienna, Virginia – November 21, 2024 – USX Cyber announces the latest AI-powered enhancement to its TM XDR platform: Guided Mitigation, a feature designed to provide automated support for security analysts in managing critical incidents.

By delivering step-by-step instructions for high-priority threats, Guided Mitigation reduces incident resolution time and enhances response accuracy.

The AI-Powered Guided Mitigation capability in XDR automates analysis and maps each incident to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, providing contextual recommendations for immediate action.

This structured guidance enables analysts of all experience levels to respond to incidents with confidence and speed, following essential steps such as verifying alerts and examining attack methods.

“Our Guided Mitigation feature is a game-changer for incident handling,” said Frank Hughes, Chief Information Security Officer at USX Cyber. “With AI-powered guidance, we are simplifying the response process, ensuring that security teams can quickly and effectively address threats.”

This new feature strengthens XDR’s robust suite of tools, including SIEM-SOAR integration, automated threat detection, and proactive defense capabilities, which together safeguard complex IT environments under a single-pane-of-glass.

USX Cyber Expands Phishing Defense in XDR with Advanced Email Security Training Tools

Vienna, Virginia – November 14, 2024 – USX Cyber, a leader in innovative cybersecurity solutions, is proud to announce the release of advanced phishing protection tools within its TM XDR platform.

This latest enhancement enables organizations to strengthen defenses against sophisticated phishing attacks by providing employees with realistic training and heightened awareness of phishing threats. Phishing attacks are growing increasingly sophisticated and dangerous as threat actors exploit social engineering techniques and AI to enhance their tactics.

The new suite includes a state-of-the-art phishing simulation tool that mimics real-world phishing techniques, equipping employees to identify and respond to suspicious messages. By providing employees with interactive training experiences, USX Cyber helps organizations reduce the risk of phishing and strengthens overall cybersecurity posture by addressing human vulnerabilities. Organizations will also have visibility into metrics on who clicks and who adds credentials to a phish.

“Phishing remains one of the most pervasive attack vectors, preying on human error,” said Cole McKinley, Chief Technology Officer at USX Cyber. “Our new phishing protection tools incorporated in XDR empower MSPs and MSSPs to help their clients build a vigilant security culture, where every employee is prepared to identify and avoid threats.”

These advanced phishing defenses further extend XDR’s comprehensive threat detection, incident response, and SIEM-SOAR capabilities, providing an all-in-one solution for hybrid, multi-cloud, and on-premises security.

USX Cyber Revolutionizes Cybersecurity Pricing with the All-Inclusive XDR™ Platform and SOC-as-a-Service

Vienna Virginia, USA* – November 7, 2024 – USX Cyber has unveiled a transformative all-in-one pricing model for its ™ Extended Detection and Response (XDR) platform, which consolidates all essential cybersecurity tools and monitoring services into one accessible package. This model provides powerful features, including real-time threat detection and response, security information event management, AI-powered insights, automated incident response, and much more — without costly add-ons, a-la-carte options, or multiple cybersecurity tools.

“ is ‘Truly One of One.’ No one else combines this level of coverage, range of capabilities, adaptability, innovation, and simplicity. ’s primary capabilities include XDR, EDR, MDR, SIEM, SOAR, AI, AV, application allow/deny, removable media allow/deny, vulnerability scanning, configuration management, and phishing simulation. Our all-in-one pricing underscores that value.” said Rod Volz, Chief Growth Officer. “No more fragmented pricing, and no unnecessary decisions—just relentless security. Our simplified model eliminates hidden costs and gives clients unmatched protection and value.”

’s unified end-to-end platform with its single-pane-of-glass console empowers MSPs and the clients they serve to move away from complex, disparate tool-heavy setups. “Not only does simplify everything – it covers everything from endpoints to cloud platforms and any networked device. Cloud environments (AWS, Azure, GCP), office productivity suites, MS 365, SaaS applications, containers, IoT and OT– We cover all of it. And, works uniformly across all of your OS’s, including Windows, Linux, and Mac. will even integrate with your favorite security tool(s) if you aren’t ready to replace it.” said Cole McKinley, Chief Technology Officer. By consolidating cybersecurity capabilities, eliminates tool sprawl, closes security gaps, and reduces the operational load on organizations.

Key Benefits of XDR and SOC-as-a-Service:

With simple, all-in-one pricing, USX Cyber solidifies its position as having the most comprehensive and advanced cybersecurity solution available to MSPs today.

USX Cyber Introduces AI-Driven Critical Alert Analysis to Revolutionize XDR Platform

Vienna, VA – 09/03/24 – USX Cyber, a leader in cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, announces the exciting integration of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) into its award-winning XDR platform. 

This transformative enhancement elevates how security alerts are analyzed, providing real-time, intelligent insights that empower organizations to effectively combat evolving cyber threats.

“At USX Cyber, we are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of cybersecurity innovation,” said Clyde Goldbach, CEO of USX Cyber. “Our integration of AI into the platform not only improves the accuracy and speed of threat detection but also ensures that our clients are always one step ahead of potential cyber risks.”

The AI-powered enhancement in intelligently processes security alerts by assessing historical attack patterns, threat intelligence, and known indicators of compromise (IoCs). 

This comprehensive analysis assigns a threat likelihood score, highlights relevant historical context, and offers actionable recommendations, enabling security teams to make swift, informed decisions.

Key Benefits of AI Integration:

The integration of AI into the XDR platform underscores USX Cyber’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions that protect businesses from the most sophisticated cyber threats.

By providing a unified platform that simplifies cybersecurity operations, USX Cyber continues to set new standards in the industry.

Revolutionizing Cybersecurity with AI-Driven Critical Alert Analysis

In today’s dynamic cybersecurity landscape, the sheer volume and complexity of alerts can overwhelm even the most skilled analysts. To address this challenge, USX Cyber has integrated cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) into its XDR platform. This integration marks a significant leap forward in how security alerts are analyzed, empowering analysts with real-time, intelligent insights while ensuring sensitive information remains protected.

The Role of AI in Modern Cybersecurity

The modern threat landscape is characterized by sophisticated attacks that evolve rapidly, making it increasingly difficult for traditional cybersecurity measures to keep pace. Analysts are oftentimes inundated with alerts, many of which may be false positives or low-priority events. This overwhelming volume can lead to critical alerts being overlooked or response delays, putting organizations at significant risk.

To combat this, leverages AI to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of alert analysis. By automating the assessment process, AI allows security teams to focus on the most pressing threats, improving response times while reducing the risk of human error.

AI-Enhanced Critical Alert Analysis

The AI integration within is designed to intelligently analyze security alerts by evaluating historical attack patterns, threat intelligence, and known indicators of compromise (IoCs). The AI provides a comprehensive assessment of each alert, assigns a threat likelihood score, highlights relevant historical context, and identifies potential IoCs.

This analysis provides analysts with the essential information needed to make swift, informed decisions, while also offering recommendations for further investigation or immediate action. The AI’s ability to learn from historical data ensures that it remains effective even as threats evolve.

Key Benefits of AI Integration

The integration of AI into the XDR platform represents a transformative step forward in cybersecurity. By automating critical alert analysis and providing actionable insights, USX Cyber is helping organizations stay ahead of the ever-evolving threat landscape. This AI-driven approach not only enhances the capabilities of security teams but also ensures that sensitive data remains protected, underscoring ’s position as a leader in advanced cybersecurity solutions.