FutureFeed is a cyber-GRC documentation platform. GUARDIENT® is a unified XDR + SOC + GRC platform that generates compliance evidence continuously from the security operations it runs. A scope-based comparison for CMMC Level 2 buyers.
FutureFeed documents your compliance work. GUARDIENT® runs the 24/7 SOC, XDR, vulnerability management, and training CMMC Level 2 requires — and produces audit evidence continuously from those operations.
Pick FutureFeed if you already own the security stack. Pick GUARDIENT® if you want one vendor to run the operations and generate the evidence.
They share vocabulary — SSPs, POA&Ms, CMMC — but occupy different layers of the stack.
A GRC system of record for the DIB: gap assessments, SPRS scoring, SSP generation, POA&M management, and evidence uploads for C3PAO prep. It sits on top of the security stack you already run.
Bundles XDR, 24/7 managed SOC, GRC automation, vulnerability management, endpoint hardening, and training required by NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC Level 2. Security operations are the evidence source.
Based on public scope from futurefeed.co and GUARDIENT® documentation. "Not included" means out of scope, not a deficiency.
| Capability | GUARDIENT® | FutureFeed |
|---|---|---|
| Security Operations | ||
| 24/7 SOC monitoring | IncludedU.S.-based OverWatch SOC, 24×7×365. | Not included |
| SIEM / log aggregation | Included30 days hot / 1 year cold retention. | Not included |
| Managed EDR / XDR | IncludedManaged endpoint detection and response. | Not included |
| Vulnerability scanning & management | IncludedWeekly reporting with real-time SIEM access. | Not included |
| Incident response | IncludedSOC-led triage and containment. | Not included |
| Compliance & GRC | ||
| CMMC Level 2 framework support | Included110 practices mapped to monitoring signals. | IncludedCMMC L2 / NIST 800-171 r2 module. |
| SSP generation | IncludedGenerated from operational control state. | IncludedFrom user-entered narratives. |
| POA&M management | Included | Included |
| Evidence repository | IncludedProduced continuously from operations. | IncludedUpload-and-tag repository. |
| Gap assessment / SPRS scoring | Included | Included |
| Policy templates | Included | Included |
| Enablement | ||
| User security awareness training | IncludedDoD Cyber Awareness, CUI, Insider Threat. | Not included |
| Endpoint hardening (CIS / STIG) | IncludedCIS Benchmarks and DISA STIGs applied. | Not included |
| Assessment prep & C3PAO readiness | Included | Partner-facilitated |
| Platform | ||
| CMMC role / scope | External Service Provider (ESP) operating as a Security Protection Asset (SPA). Does not process, store, or transmit CUI; FedRAMP Moderate Equivalency is therefore not required under CMMC. | ESP handling CUI-adjacent data. FedRAMP Moderate Equivalency achieved (per public announcements). |
| Hosting environment | U.S. cloud; CUI-aware tenancy. | AWS GovCloud (US). |
| Pricing model | Bundled subscription covering XDR, SOC, GRC, training, and vulnerability management. | Core + framework add-ons (e.g., NIST 800-171 r2 / CMMC L2, NIST 800-53 r5, CSF, 800-218). |
| Scope: interactive maintenance in audit boundary | Intentionally out of scopeNo RDP, M365/Azure AD management, or firewall/network management. | N/A — GRC layer |
The right choice depends on whether you already run a mature security stack and how many vendors you want to coordinate.
FutureFeed is a GRC documentation layer — the invoice isn't the full stack cost. Below are the capabilities CMMC Level 2 requires you to operate, not just document. Use it as a budgeting prompt, not a price sheet.
The CMMC Program Final Rule is explicit: contractors must operationally meet the 110 practices in NIST SP 800-171 r2. If you pair FutureFeed with existing tools, confirm every checklist item is covered — anything missing is additional procurement and recurring spend.
GUARDIENT® bundles these into one subscription to avoid the multi-vendor math. Not inherently better for every buyer — larger contractors often prefer best-of-breed — but for SMB DIB firms it typically reduces procurement and integration overhead.
The real difference isn't presentation — it's how the evidence gets produced.
A user exports reports, screenshots, and configuration snapshots from each security tool on a cadence, then uploads and tags them against the relevant control. The platform is excellent at organizing this work — but the collection itself is a recurring human task.
Because the XDR, SIEM, SOC, vulnerability scanning, and hardening all run inside one platform, control state is read directly from live systems rather than re-collected for the audit.
GUARDIENT® continuously produces audit evidence from security operations, reducing the manual collection work required for traditional audit preparation.
Direct answers to the questions DIB contractors ask when comparing the two.
No. FutureFeed documents and organizes compliance work. CMMC Level 2 also requires operational controls — continuous monitoring, EDR, incident response, vulnerability management, and user awareness training — which must come from other tools, managed services, or internal staff.
The security operations that generate CMMC evidence: 24/7 SOC, managed EDR/XDR, SIEM with 30-day hot / 1-year cold retention, weekly vulnerability reporting, CIS/STIG endpoint hardening, and DoD Cyber Awareness, CUI, and Insider Threat training. FutureFeed documents compliance; GUARDIENT® runs the operations that produce it.
Yes. Contractors already invested in FutureFeed can keep it as the GRC system of record while GUARDIENT® provides the security operations. Most SMB DIB contractors prefer consolidating to one vendor to reduce overhead and duplicate costs.
GUARDIENT® is typically faster for SMBs without a mature internal SOC — operations, evidence, and compliance tooling are bundled. Contractors with established security operations and a dedicated compliance lead may find FutureFeed alone sufficient as a GRC layer.
No — only an authorized C3PAO can issue CMMC Level 2 certification. Both platforms support assessment prep (evidence organization, SSP, POA&M, SPRS scoring). USX Cyber also assists with C3PAO readiness and assessor coordination.
FutureFeed uses a Core + framework add-on subscription (e.g., NIST 800-171 r2 / CMMC L2, 800-53 r5). That covers the GRC platform only; true stack cost also includes SIEM, EDR/XDR, MDR, vulnerability management, and training. GUARDIENT® bundles those into one subscription. Contractors should request specific quotes from both vendors.
The fastest way to decide: a 30-minute scoping call. We'll map your stack, flag gaps, and tell you honestly which path fits.