Great Lakes Industrial earns CMMC Level 2 certification

Great Lakes Industrial said Tuesday it has been certified at CMMC Level 2 after a third-party assessment, giving the Milwaukee supplier a formal cybersecurity credential for defense customers. The certification is meant to help the company support contractors and OEMs facing tighter DoD supply-chain requirements.

Why it matters: - Great Lakes Industrial’s CMMC Level 2 certification gives defense customers a third-party validated cybersecurity benchmark. - The certification can reduce compliance risk for contractors and suppliers handling Controlled Unclassified Information. - The credential supports GLI’s position in a defense supply chain facing tighter cybersecurity expectations.

What happened: - Great Lakes Industrial said its Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization officially certified the company at CMMC Level 2. - The announcement was made October 28, 2026, from Milwaukee. - GLI supplies gaskets, seals, O-rings, fluid connectors, hydraulic valves, molded rubber components, and fasteners for defense and industrial applications.

The details: - The certification comes after a third-party C3PAO assessment of GLI’s cybersecurity program. - GLI says the certification supports defense contractors, OEMs, and suppliers dealing with cybersecurity and compliance requirements. - The company pointed to expanding DoD cybersecurity requirements under DFARS 252.204-7021, DFARS 252.204-7012, and NIST SP 800-171. - GLI said manufacturers and suppliers now face more pressure to ensure internal systems, operational environments, and supplier networks can securely support CUI. - The certification supports third-party certified CMMC Level 2 compliance. - GLI said the designation may help reduce supply chain compliance risk. - The company said the certification also supports secure manufacturing and CUI-related requirements where applicable. - GLI said customers will continue to have access to elastomer distribution, molded rubber manufacturing, and gasket manufacturing capabilities. - Brad Hiller, vice president of sales at GLI, said supplier readiness has become increasingly important as CMMC requirements move through the defense supply chain. - Hiller said the certification reinforces GLI’s commitment to trusted manufacturing capabilities, cybersecurity alignment, and supply chain confidence. - GLI also described itself as a third-generation, family-owned industrial solutions provider serving equipment manufacturers and repair operators globally. - The company said it was founded in 1954 and specializes in engineered sealing solutions, including rubber and related materials.

Between the lines: - The certification is as much a supply-chain signal as a cybersecurity milestone. - For industrial suppliers, CMMC status can become a gating factor in defense work, not just a technical badge. - GLI is positioning compliance as part of its manufacturing value proposition, not a separate back-office function.

What's next: - GLI will likely use the certification to support current defense accounts and pursue new business where CMMC Level 2 is required or preferred. - The company said customers can learn more about GLI's Level 2 CMMC Certification and provided social links on LinkedIn and Facebook.