Choosing the Right Tools for Handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Choosing the Right Tools for Handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Blog Article

As organizations working with the U.S. Department of Defense and other federal agencies handle increasing amounts of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), the choice of tools and environments becomes more critical. Mishandling CUI—even unintentionally—can lead to major contract setbacks or compliance penalties.



For most contractors and subcontractors, managing CUI effectively isn’t just about secure storage—it’s about controlling who has access, logging that access, and demonstrating a consistent audit trail. Common productivity tools and commercial cloud platforms often fall short of the strict requirements needed for these environments.

That’s why many contractors explore purpose-built solutions that isolate sensitive information from the rest of the organization’s systems. These secure frameworks, such as a CMMC enclave, are often used to create a compliant boundary that supports the handling of CUI without needing to overhaul the entire IT ecosystem.

Even if your organization is still in the early stages of CMMC readiness, understanding your options now can help reduce the time and cost of implementing compliant systems later. Simple decisions—like how and where CUI is accessed—can significantly affect compliance outcomes and contract opportunities.