MarCom Group doesn’t just navigate the tides of change — it commands them. Founded nearly 30 years ago by fearless entrepreneurs, this woman-owned small business brings that same spirit of exploration and innovation to the digital frontier, from mastering the challenges of cybersecurity to embracing new technologies like AI — all with the bold determination of intrepid trailblazers.

Most recently, MarCom Group completed its quest to officialize its information security posture by obtaining full ISO 27001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for information security. After 12 months of rigorous preparation, this prestigious milestone reflects MarCom Group’s technical excellence along with a deep organization-wide commitment to transparency, resilience, and trust.

“This certification is a signal to our clients, our industry, and ourselves that we’re on the forefront of cyber and data security,” said Lauren Rainford, MarCom Group President. “As the marketing and advertising agency for high-level federal and commercial clients, the security of their data, as well as ours, is paramount. That’s why achieving the ISO 27001 is such a significant accomplishment for our organization.”

Recently, the Pentagon finalized a long-anticipated rule that will require defense contractors, and their subcontractors, to demonstrate stronger cybersecurity practices before bidding on or performing Department of Defense (DoD) work.

Beginning November 10, 2025, the DoD will be authorized to insert the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirement into new contracts. Companies that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) will need to hold CMMC Level 2 certification, or risk losing out on contract opportunities. While this rollout is intended to be phased in over three years, MarCom Group began preparing for CMMC Level 2 certification a few months ago.

“We are committed to staying on the leading edge, and aggressively pursuing CMMC demonstrates that commitment to our federal clients,” explained Rainford. We are determined to provide them with the highest caliber of security and expertise. It also communicates that the work we do keeps Americans safe, and we apply the methodology not only to client work but internally to our own systems as well.”

In its quest to drive success through innovation, calculated risk, and performance excellence, MarCom Group is setting the pace by embedding security into every layer of its operations, from cloud infrastructure and software development to employee training and vendor management. This integrated approach — MarCom Group’s proprietary Information and Security Management System (ISMS) — ensures that security isn’t siloed within the IT department, as it often is in other organizations, but woven into every operation thread, empowering teams to innovate with confidence.

“Our in-house subject matter experts foster a culture of collaboration and embracing technology and change,” noted Rainford. “They also ensure we maintain our edge of having impeccably secure systems and processes. We’re continuously driven by the concept of secure data, secure clients, secure future.”

“At MarCom Group, security isn’t just an IT function; we ensure that it’s a company-wide commitment embedded in our culture,” said Vice President of Technology and Innovation Olivia Bird. “Our ISMS ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our data across every phase of our work. From embedding secure practices into every stage of software development and maintaining resilient, adaptive IT infrastructure, to fostering a culture where every employee knows they play a role in safeguarding systems, we’re ensuring a holistic and proactive approach to evolving threats.”

With these intrinsic security measures in place — and a strategic path toward CMMC Level 2 certification — MarCom Group is positioning itself to lead in tomorrow’s federal landscape.

“We like to cast ourselves as not just doing what’s necessary, but doing what’s next,” said Rainford.