Pentagon’s James Mismash to Keynote CMMC CON 2026

On July 13, the Pentagon suspended CMMC Phase 2, pausing mandatory third-party certification requirements while the Department conducts a 60-day review of the program. The announcement created immediate questions across the defense industrial base (DIB) about what changed, what did not, and what contractors should expect next.

To explain the government’s perspective, CyberSheath, one of the most experienced and trusted IT security services partners for the U.S. DIB, has announced that James R. Mismash, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Growth and Director of Small Business Programs, will serve as the keynote speaker on Sept. 24 at 9 a.m. EDT at CMMC CON 2026.

Mismash advises the Secretary of War, the Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment, and the Assistant Secretary for Industrial Base Policy on matters affecting small and nontraditional businesses across the DIB. His office leads efforts to expand participation in the defense supply chain, attract new entrants, strengthen the industrial base, and increase competition.

“The CMMC Phase 2 suspension changed the implementation timeline and how compliance will be verified during the review, but it did not change the responsibility to protect Controlled Unclassified Information,” said Emil Sayegh, CEO of CyberSheath. “As the Department evaluates the program, defense contractors are looking for clarity. Given Mr. Mismash’s leadership on DIB growth and his engagement with small and nontraditional businesses, there could not be a more timely perspective for our CMMC CON audience.”

Cybersecurity and industrial base readiness are inseparable. Mismash’s keynote will discuss how the Department is listening to industry and taking action to reform its approach to cybersecurity by reducing unnecessary compliance burdens, eliminating bureaucratic barriers, and accelerating capability delivery. Drawing on extensive engagement with businesses across the country, he will share how industry feedback is helping strengthen cybersecurity while fostering innovation, competition, and a more resilient defense industrial base.

CMMC CON, Sept. 23-24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT, is now in its seventh year and remains the longest-running conference dedicated to CMMC. The two-day virtual conference is free for all attendees.

This year’s sessions will also feature speakers from Microsoft, A-LIGN, and Cybersec Investments. Past CMMC CON keynotes have included Rachel Tobac, CEO of SocialProof Security; Nicole Perlroth, cybersecurity journalist and author; Robert J. O’Neill, former Navy SEAL Team Six leader; Brian Krebs, investigative journalist; and Bailey Bickley, Chief of DIB Defense at the NSA.

Register for CMMC CON 2026 to hear from Mismash and other government and industry leaders as the DIB navigates the next chapter of CMMC and cybersecurity requirements.

About CyberSheath
Established in 2012, CyberSheath is one of the most experienced and trusted IT security services partners for the U.S. defense industrial base. The company helps defense contractors assess, implement, operate, and continuously improve secure environments that meet DOD cybersecurity requirements, including NIST SP 800-171, DFARS, and CMMC. Learn more at www.cybersheath.com.

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