Smithers CMMC and Cybersecurity Resource Library
If you have questions about CMMC, cybersecurity, or other topics, explore our new resource library.
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A Century of Innovation at Smithers
During the Gold Rush of 1849, most people rushed to San Francisco to find their own gold and make their fortune. One man came up with a different idea, however. Samuel Brannan went to California, found a little bit of gold dust, and decided to start a store where miners could buy everything they would need. He made a fortune sitting in his store selling shovels, picks, and more. A somewhat similar event happened in Akron, Ohio, in 1925. By the 1920s Akron had become the “rubber capital of the world.” All of the great tiremakers were located there. It would have been easy for a man like Vernon Smithers to join the crowd and become another tire manufacturer. However, Smithers had something else in mind. Much like Samuel Brannan on the west coast, Smithers created a company by chasing innovation and mastering precision. He became the first tire tester in the world and his legacy still exists today.
Vernon Smithers built his company based on the idea that rigorous, impartial data could guide better decisions, build stronger products, and protect lives. That essential DNA carries through all Smithers divisions today, including Smithers Quality Assessments, now a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO).
From Tire Performance to Complex Controls
Vernon Smithers made a name for himself in part because he was offering a service that was new. His success was based on more than that, however. Smithers quickly developed a reputation for thoroughness, transparency, fair pricing, and swift delivery of results. He did not always deliver the news that companies wanted to hear, but he did it frankly and with evidence. Today, Smithers offers the same commitment to clarity, independence, and technical excellence that served the rubber industry barons of the early twentieth century. Along with tire packaging, measurements, and testing, Smithers now helps defense manufacturers navigate the evolving expectations of federal cybersecurity compliance. Smithers assesses companies against the NIST SP 800-171r2 standard, and as a certification body, Smithers can certify companies for CMMC.
Evolving World, Evolving Company
The Smithers story is not about transforming from a “tire company” to a Testing, Inspection, Certification, and Compliance (TICC) company. For a hundred years, this organization has helped industries meet the moment, whether that meant understanding the chemistry of compounds, the wear of rubber, or the intricacies of NIST SP 800-171.
The tools have changed. The terrain has changed. The Smithers mission has remained unchanged, however, and it can be summarized in the company tag line: Accurate Data, On Time, with High Touch.
How can we put our 100 years of experience to work for your organization as you strive for CMMC compliance? Contact us today.
Frequently Asked CMMC Questions
How do I become NIST compliant?
NIST SP 800-171r2 is currently the standard against which companies can be CMMC-certified. Learn more about NIST SP 800-171r2.
How hard is CMMC compliance?
How difficult is it to achieve CMMC certification? You have probably heard warnings about the length of time it can take. What questions do you have? Learn more about CMMC certification.
About Smithers
Founded in 1925 and headquartered in Akron, Ohio, Smithers is a multinational provider of testing, consulting, information, and compliance services. With laboratories and operations in North America, Europe, and Asia, Smithers supports customers in the transportation, life science, packaging, materials, components, consumer, cannabis, dry commodities, and energy industries. Smithers delivers accurate data, on time, with high touch, by integrating science, technology, and business expertise, so customers can innovate with confidence. Smithers is an authorized C3PAO and can be found on the CyberAB Marketplace.