GLI wins CMMC Level 2 certification after third-party assessment

Great Lakes Industrial said its C3PAO has certified the company at CMMC Level 2 after a third-party assessment in Milwaukee. The certification is meant to support defense customers facing tighter cybersecurity and supply-chain requirements.

Why it matters: - GLI’s CMMC Level 2 certification gives defense customers another signal that the company can operate in environments tied to Controlled Unclassified Information. - The certification may reduce compliance friction for defense contractors, OEMs, and suppliers that need secure manufacturing and documented cybersecurity controls. - The result also supports continued access to GLI’s elastomer distribution, molded rubber manufacturing, and gasket manufacturing capabilities.

What happened: - Great Lakes Industrial announced that its Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization completed the company’s CMMC assessment and officially certified GLI at Level 2. - The announcement was made Oct. 29, 2026, in Milwaukee. - GLI said it can now formally attest that it is CMMC Level 2 certified.

The details: - GLI supplies gaskets, seals, O-rings, fluid connectors, hydraulic valves, molded rubber components, and fasteners for defense and industrial applications. - The certification comes as Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements continue extending through the supply chain under DFARS 252.204-7021, DFARS 252.204-7012, and NIST SP 800-171. - Manufacturers and suppliers are facing more pressure to secure internal systems, operational environments, and supplier networks that handle CUI. - GLI said the certification supports third-party certified CMMC Level 2 compliance, reduced supply-chain compliance risk, secure manufacturing, and CUI-related requirements where applicable.

Between the lines: - The announcement shows how cybersecurity compliance has become a business requirement, not just an IT issue, for industrial suppliers serving defense markets. - A third-party certification can matter as much as the technical controls themselves because customers often need proof that a supplier meets the standard. - GLI is positioning cybersecurity readiness as part of its manufacturing value proposition, not a separate service.

What's next: - GLI will likely use the certification to support existing defense relationships and compete for more supply-chain business where CMMC status is a requirement. - The company says it remains focused on helping customers navigate changing cybersecurity and compliance demands across the defense supply chain. - Great Lakes Industrial will continue marketing its engineered sealing solutions, technical expertise, and long-standing customer relationships as part of its broader defense and industrial offering.

The bottom line: - GLI now has third-party CMMC Level 2 certification, a credential that can help it stay in the defense supply chain as cybersecurity rules tighten.