CMMC Level 1 Templates: We've Done the Heavy Lifting for Your Defense Contracting Business
No Matter Your Size or Tech Stack, We've Got You Covered
The Documentation Problem Every Defense Contractor Faces
You know you need CMMC Level 1 compliance. Whether you're a subcontractor whose prime requires it, or a prime contractor bidding on DoD contracts with FCI, the November 10th, 2025 deadline made it abundantly clear. But here's where most small and medium defense contractors get stuck:
The 17 CMMC Level 1 practices require 142 specific artifacts - policies, procedures, configuration screenshots, system inventories, log reviews, training records, incident response plans, and more. Creating these from scratch is overwhelming, especially when:
- You're a 5-person shop running entirely on Google Workspace
- You're a 20-person company with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, and OneDrive
- You're a 50-person business with on-premise Active Directory, Windows Servers, and a full IT infrastructure
- You're somewhere in between, with a hybrid mix of cloud and on-premise systems
The compliance requirements are the same, but your technical environment is completely different. That's exactly why we built our template library to work for all of you.
We've Built 142+ Templates So You Don't Have To
Over the past two years, we've done something most CMMC consultants won't do: we've actually created the documentation. Not vague policy frameworks with [INSERT COMPANY NAME HERE] placeholders - we've built specific templates for Google Workspace admin consoles, Microsoft 365 security centers, Active Directory GPOs, and home office environments that defense contractors actually use.
What This Means for Your Business
Whether you're running your entire operation from Gmail and Google Drive, managing a Microsoft 365 tenant, or operating Windows Server infrastructure with Active Directory - we've created implementation-ready templates that match your environment.
Here's an example of what we've built:
For Small Businesses (5-15 employees)
Tech Stack: Google Workspace, Gmail, Google Drive
You don't need enterprise-level documentation. You need practical, implementable templates that work for:
- Google Workspace Admin Console configurations
- Gmail and Google Drive access controls
- Google Vault for log retention
- Chromebook and personal device management
- Cloud-based incident response procedures
Our Google Workspace template package includes:
- Access control policies tailored to Google Workspace permissions
- System inventory templates for G Suite services
- Configuration screenshots for Google Admin security settings
- Evidence collection guides for Google Workspace logs
- Training materials sized for small teams
For Growing Businesses (15-40 employees)
Tech Stack: Microsoft 365, SharePoint, OneDrive, Azure AD
You've moved beyond free email but aren't ready for on-premise servers. You need templates that address:
- Microsoft 365 Security & Compliance Center configurations
- SharePoint permissions and document libraries
- OneDrive for Business security settings
- Azure AD conditional access policies
- Microsoft Defender and security monitoring
Our Microsoft 365 template package includes:
- Conditional access policy configurations
- SharePoint governance procedures
- Microsoft 365 audit log review templates
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) policy documentation
- Multi-factor authentication rollout plans
For Established Businesses (40+ employees)
Tech Stack: Active Directory, Windows Server, On-Premise Infrastructure
You have real IT infrastructure and need enterprise-grade documentation for:
- Active Directory domain policies and group management
- Windows Server security configurations
- On-premise file servers and network shares
- Firewall and network segmentation
- Physical server room access controls
Our Enterprise Infrastructure template package includes:
- Active Directory GPO documentation templates
- Windows Server baseline configuration guides
- Network architecture diagrams and procedures
- Physical security assessment checklists
- Backup and disaster recovery procedures
For Hybrid Environments (Any Size)
Tech Stack: Mix of Cloud and On-Premise
Most defense contractors fall here - some cloud services, some on-premise systems, maybe a few SaaS tools. You need templates that work across:
- Azure AD + On-Premise Active Directory sync
- Hybrid Exchange environments
- Mixed file storage (SharePoint + file servers)
- Cloud and on-premise security monitoring
- Diverse device management (Windows, Mac, Chromebook, mobile)
Our Hybrid Environment template package includes:
- Identity federation documentation
- Hybrid security monitoring procedures
- Cross-platform access control policies
- Device management across multiple platforms
- Incident response for mixed environments
For Remote & Distributed Teams (Any Size)
Work Environment: Home Offices, Personal Devices, Remote Workforce
The reality of modern defense contracting is that many employees work remotely, use personal computers, or operate from home offices. You need templates that address:
- Home office security requirements and assessments
- Personal computer security baselines and configurations
- Home network protection (routers, WiFi, guest networks)
- Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies and procedures
- Remote access security and VPN usage
- Physical security for home-based work environments
- Separation of personal and work data
Our Remote Work template package includes:
- Home office security assessment checklists
- Personal computer acceptable use policies
- Home network security configuration guides
- BYOD enrollment and security requirements
- Remote access authorization procedures
- Physical security for home workspaces (locking file cabinets, secure areas)
- Employee home office acknowledgment forms
- Remote work incident response procedures
- Guidance for separating FCI access on personal devices
This is critical because CMMC doesn't give you a pass for remote work - you still need to protect FCI whether it's accessed from a corporate office or someone's kitchen table.
The 142 Artifacts Across 6 CMMC Domains
We didn't just create a few generic policies. We mapped every single CMMC Level 1 practice to specific, actionable artifacts. Here's what you get:
Access Control (AC) - 35 Artifacts
- User account creation/modification/deletion procedures
- Access authorization documentation
- Least privilege implementation guides
- Remote access policies and configurations
- System account management procedures
Identification & Authentication (IA) - 19 Artifacts
- Unique user identification procedures
- Multi-factor authentication implementation guides
- Password policy documentation
- Authenticator management procedures
- User credential lifecycle management
Media Protection (MP) - 9 Artifacts
- Media sanitization procedures
- External media usage policies
- Secure media storage and transport
- Media disposal documentation
- CUI marking procedures (for FCI environments)
Physical Protection (PE) - 24 Artifacts
- Physical access control procedures
- Visitor log templates
- Physical access authorization documentation
- Facility security assessment checklists
- Badge and key management procedures
System & Communications Protection (SC) - 27 Artifacts
- Boundary protection configurations
- Public-access system separation documentation
- Network architecture diagrams
- DMZ and VLAN configuration templates
- Secure communications procedures
System & Information Integrity (SI) - 28 Artifacts
- Malware protection configuration documentation
- System monitoring procedures
- Security alert and advisory management
- Flaw remediation processes
- Patch management documentation
Why Templates Matter More Than You Think
For CMMC Level 1 self-assessment, you need to demonstrate that your security controls are:
- Documented - You have written policies and procedures
- Implemented - You're actually doing what you documented
- Effective - Your controls actually work to protect FCI
Without proper templates, most contractors fail at step 1. They know they're doing security things, but they can't articulate it in a way that satisfies CMMC requirements. And when you submit your self-assessment to SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System), you're attesting under penalty that you've actually implemented these controls.
The Real Cost of DIY Documentation
Let's be honest about what creating these artifacts yourself actually costs:
Time Investment:
- Research what each practice requires: 2-4 hours per practice
- Write policy from scratch: 4-8 hours per policy
- Create procedures that match your environment: 3-6 hours per procedure
- Generate configuration screenshots: 2-4 hours per system
- Review and revise for CMMC compliance: 2-4 hours per document
For 142 artifacts, that's 400-800 hours of work - essentially 10-20 weeks of full-time effort for someone who already knows CMMC requirements inside and out.
Opportunity Cost:
While your technical lead spends months creating documentation, they're not:
- Managing your actual IT infrastructure
- Supporting your employees
- Working on revenue-generating projects
- Doing the actual security work that keeps you safe
Risk of Getting It Wrong:
Generic templates from the internet often:
- Don't match your actual environment
- Miss CMMC-specific requirements
- Use wrong terminology or references
- Require extensive modification to be usable
- May not hold up if you're ever audited or face contract challenges
How Overwatch Tools Delivers What You Actually Need
We took a different approach. Instead of selling you a consulting engagement where we "help you create documentation," we created the documentation library that actually works for defense contractors of all sizes.
1. Environment-Specific Templates
Every template comes in variations for different tech stacks:
- Google Workspace version with Gmail, Google Drive references
- Microsoft 365 version with Azure AD, SharePoint specifics
- On-Premise version with Active Directory, file server details
- Hybrid version that addresses mixed environments
- Remote Work templates for home offices, personal devices, and home networks
- BYOD templates for contractor-owned devices and mobile work
- Distributed workforce documentation for multi-location teams
You're not adapting enterprise documentation to fit your 10-person shop, and you're not using small business templates for your 75-person organization. And if your team works from home or uses personal devices, we have templates specifically for that reality.
2. Implementation Guidance
Each artifact includes:
- What this artifact proves - Why assessors need it
- How to collect the evidence - Specific steps for your environment
- What "good" looks like - Example completed artifacts
- Common mistakes to avoid - Where contractors typically fail
- Time estimate - How long this should actually take
3. Environment Assessment
Not sure which templates you need? Our assessment tool:
- Identifies your current tech stack
- Maps your environment to appropriate templates
- Recommends implementation priorities
- Estimates completion timeline based on your resources
4. Organized Documentation System
All 142 artifacts organized by:
- CMMC practice and domain
- Implementation priority (high/medium/low)
- Effort level (quick wins vs. complex implementations)
- Dependencies (what needs to be done first)
You're not drowning in unorganized files - you have a systematic compliance roadmap.
The Three Paths to CMMC Level 1 Compliance
We designed our service to match different contractor needs and budgets:
Path 1: Free Self-Assessment Tool
Perfect for: Contractors who just need to understand their gaps
- Complete CMMC Level 1 self-assessment in 30 minutes
- Identifies exactly what you're missing
- Generates gap analysis report
- No registration required
- Completely free forever
Path 2: Compliance Toolkit ($1,495/year)
Perfect for: Technical teams who can implement but need guidance AND established companies who need organization
Everything in the Free Tool, plus:
- Full access to all 142 artifact templates
- Environment-specific variations (Google/Microsoft/On-Premise)
- Implementation guidance and examples
- Secure document storage and organization
- Evidence collection checklists
- Self-paced implementation support
- Artifact tracking and progress monitoring
- Compliance verification system
This is ideal if you have someone technical on staff who can follow detailed instructions but doesn't want to create everything from scratch. It's also perfect for larger, established companies who have the internal resources to implement security controls but need a systematic way to organize evidence, track completion across all 142 artifacts, and verify nothing is missed before submitting to SPRS.
Explore the Toolkit →Path 3: Turnkey Compliance ($2,495 one-time)
Perfect for: Contractors who need expert guidance and fast results
Everything in the Toolkit, plus:
- Dedicated CMMC consultant
- 4-week compliance sprint
- Weekly implementation calls
- Template customization for your environment
- Evidence review and validation
- Assessment-ready documentation package
This is ideal if you need someone to guide you through the process, validate your work, and ensure you're truly ready for assessment.
Talk to a Consultant →Why Our Templates Work (And Others Don't)
We're Actually Certified
Our team includes CMMC Certified Professionals (CCP) and CMMC Certified Assessors (CCA). We know what proper CMMC documentation looks like because we've been trained on the assessment standards and have helped contractors through the self-assessment process.
We've Seen Real Implementations
We've helped dozens of contractors through their CMMC Level 1 self-assessments. These templates aren't theoretical - they're based on what actually works when contractors implement and document their compliance.
We Understand Small Defense Contractors
We're not enterprise consultants trying to sell you scaled-down versions of Fortune 500 documentation. We built these templates specifically for small and medium defense contractors with limited resources.
We Keep Templates Current
CMMC requirements evolve. We update our templates as guidance changes, new interpretations emerge, and assessment standards clarify. You're not working from outdated documents.
Common Questions From Defense Contractors
Q: "We're a 50-person company with our own IT staff. Do we really need templates?"
Maybe not! Many established companies with dedicated IT teams have already implemented good security practices - they just need help organizing the evidence and ensuring nothing is missed across all 142 artifacts. Our Toolkit is valuable even without the templates because it:
- Provides a systematic checklist of every required artifact
- Organizes your evidence in one secure location
- Tracks your progress across all 17 practices
- Verifies you haven't missed any requirements before SPRS submission
- Gives you implementation guidance even if you're creating your own docs
The templates are there if you need them for specific practices, but the real value for larger companies is often the organizational framework and verification system.
Q: "I already started creating policies. Can I still use your templates?"
Absolutely. Many contractors use our templates to:
- Fill gaps in their existing documentation
- Validate what they've already created
- Add the specific artifacts they're missing
- Ensure their documentation meets CMMC standards
You can mix and match - use our templates where you have gaps, keep what you've already created that works.
Q: "My company is unique. Will generic templates work for us?"
Our templates aren't generic - they're environment-specific and designed to be customized. Every template includes:
- Bracketed fields for your company information
- Optional sections for different scenarios
- Guidance on what to include/exclude
- Examples showing adaptation for different situations
You're not filling in mad-libs - you're working from professional baselines that you adapt to your specific situation.
Q: "How long does implementation actually take?"
Depends on your starting point and resources:
- With our Turnkey service: 4 weeks with consultant guidance
- With our Toolkit: 6-12 weeks self-paced for technical staff
- DIY without templates: 4-6 months (or longer) of struggling
The templates eliminate 70-80% of the work - you focus on customization and evidence collection, not creating everything from scratch.
Q: "What if my tech stack changes?"
You get templates for all environments. If you migrate from on-premise to Microsoft 365 next year, you already have the M365 templates. If you add Google Workspace to your Microsoft environment, you have both sets of templates.
Q: "Do templates guarantee I'll be compliant?"
No one can guarantee compliance outcomes - that depends on your actual implementation and how honestly you assess yourself in SPRS. But proper documentation is the foundation. Without it, you can't accurately complete your self-assessment. With it, you're demonstrating you understand and implement the requirements.
Your Next Steps
The November 10th, 2025 deadline has passed, but CMMC compliance isn't optional - it's required for continued defense contracting. The question isn't "if" you'll get compliant, it's "how quickly and affordably" you can get there.
Start Here:
1. Take the Free Assessment (5 minutes)
Understand exactly where you stand with CMMC Level 1 requirements.
Start Free Assessment →2. Review Your Options (10 minutes)
Compare the Toolkit vs. Turnkey Consulting to see what fits your timeline and resources.
View Pricing & Options →3. Talk to an Expert (30 minutes)
Schedule a call to discuss your specific situation and get a customized compliance roadmap.
Schedule Consultation →The Bottom Line
CMMC Level 1 requires 142 specific artifacts across 6 security domains. Creating these from scratch takes 400-800 hours of expert time. Most defense contractors don't have that time, that expertise, or that budget.
We built the templates. We organized the implementation. We mapped it to your environment.
Whether you're running Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, on-premise Active Directory, or a hybrid mix - we have environment-specific templates that actually work for defense contractors. And if your team works from home, uses personal devices, or operates from distributed locations, we have templates for that reality too.
Stop struggling with blank documents. Stop trying to adapt enterprise templates to your small business. Stop paying consultants to create what we've already built.
Get the templates. Get compliant. Get back to your actual business.
About Overwatch Tools
Overwatch Tools was founded by defense contracting and cybersecurity professionals who got tired of watching small defense contractors struggle with CMMC compliance. We believe compliance should be achievable without enterprise budgets, and documentation shouldn't require a PhD to customize.
Our mission: Make CMMC compliance accessible for every defense contractor, regardless of size or technical resources.
Ready to see exactly what CMMC Level 1 requires for your environment?