Our founder, Ben Cornelius, is a current Marine Corps Reserve Officer and active duty veteran. Ben spent a decade inside the defense industry building compliance programs for some of the largest systems in the country. He saw who had access to real cybersecurity expertise — and who didn't. The fifty-person shops building critical parts, writing mission-essential code, maintaining the systems the warfighter depends on — they were being handed the same requirements as the primes and told to figure it out alone.
He founded CDS because those contractors deserve better than being priced out of compliance by firms that don't understand the mission.
Ben holds an MBA from the University of Colorado Boulder, an MS in Cybersecurity from WGU, and CISSP, CISM, and CCSP cybersecurity certifications. Active TS/SCI clearance.
Most consultants learned compliance from a framework document. Ben built compliance programs from inside active defense programs — the ones that actually get assessed. Eight authorization packages authored, zero failures. He knows what passes because he's built what passes.
Large firms charge enterprise rates and send junior staff who learn on your dime. CDS delivers the same caliber of experience — scoped for the contractors who build critical systems but don't have a compliance department. You're not paying for overhead. You're paying for precision.
No account managers. No handoffs. No "let me check with my team." The person on your discovery call is the person reviewing your controls, building your SSP, and standing next to you on assessment day.
The cost of compliance is a fraction of the first contract it helps you win.
Small defense contractors deserve the same caliber of compliance expertise as the largest primes. The companies keeping the defense supply chain alive shouldn't be left behind by a market that only serves the biggest players.
Based in the heart of U.S. defense space operations. Peterson Space Force Base, Schriever Space Force Base, Cheyenne Mountain, and Fort Carson — all within thirty minutes.
Schedule a confidential discovery call to understand where you stand and what it takes to get assessment-ready.
