diff --git a/backend/db/database.py b/backend/db/database.py
index 800a096..7f5389d 100644
--- a/backend/db/database.py
+++ b/backend/db/database.py
@@ -137,10 +137,13 @@ async def get_db():
             await session.close()
 
 
-async def get_latest_assessments(db: AsyncSession, control_ids: list[str] = None):
+async def get_latest_assessments(
+    db: AsyncSession, control_ids: list[str] = None, columns: list = None
+):
     """
     Shared helper to fetch the latest AssessmentRecord for each control.
     Optionally filtered by a list of control_ids for better performance.
+    Optionally fetch only specific columns to reduce ORM overhead.
     """
     sub_q = select(
         AssessmentRecord.control_id,
@@ -152,11 +155,26 @@ async def get_latest_assessments(db: AsyncSession, control_ids: list[str] = None
 
     sub_q = sub_q.subquery()
 
-    query = select(AssessmentRecord).join(
+    if columns:
+        # Clone list to avoid side effects and ensure control_id is present
+        target_cols = list(columns)
+        if AssessmentRecord.control_id not in target_cols:
+            target_cols.append(AssessmentRecord.control_id)
+        query = select(*target_cols)
+    else:
+        query = select(AssessmentRecord)
+
+    query = query.join(
         sub_q,
         (AssessmentRecord.control_id == sub_q.c.control_id)
         & (AssessmentRecord.assessment_date == sub_q.c.max_date),
     )
 
     result = await db.execute(query)
-    return {a.control_id: a for a in result.scalars().all()}
+
+    if columns:
+        # When columns are specified, result.all() returns Row objects
+        return {a.control_id: a for a in result.all()}
+    else:
+        # Default behavior: return full AssessmentRecord objects
+        return {a.control_id: a for a in result.scalars().all()}
diff --git a/backend/routers/assessment.py b/backend/routers/assessment.py
index ff7fbe0..a2358f5 100644
--- a/backend/routers/assessment.py
+++ b/backend/routers/assessment.py
@@ -78,10 +78,13 @@ class SPRSResult(BaseModel):
     description="Get overall CMMC compliance posture summary including implementation percentages, SPRS score, and breakdown by domain and level.",
 )
 async def get_compliance_dashboard(db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db)):
-    result = await db.execute(select(ControlRecord))
-    controls = result.scalars().all()
+    # Performance Optimization: Select only required columns to avoid ORM overhead of large fields
+    result = await db.execute(select(ControlRecord.id, ControlRecord.domain, ControlRecord.level))
+    controls = result.all()
 
-    assessments_map = await get_latest_assessments(db)
+    assessments_map = await get_latest_assessments(
+        db, columns=[AssessmentRecord.control_id, AssessmentRecord.status]
+    )
 
     by_domain = {}
     by_level = {
@@ -157,10 +160,13 @@ async def get_compliance_dashboard(db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db)):
     description="Calculate the DoD Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score based on current control implementation status. Score ranges from -203 to 110.",
 )
 async def calculate_sprs_score(db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db)):
-    result = await db.execute(select(ControlRecord))
-    controls = result.scalars().all()
+    # Performance Optimization: Select only required columns (id is used to check against deductions)
+    result = await db.execute(select(ControlRecord.id))
+    controls = result.all()
 
-    assessments_map = await get_latest_assessments(db)
+    assessments_map = await get_latest_assessments(
+        db, columns=[AssessmentRecord.control_id, AssessmentRecord.status]
+    )
 
     sprs = 110
     deductions_list = []
diff --git a/backend/routers/reports.py b/backend/routers/reports.py
index 5f2660b..c9ca1e7 100644
--- a/backend/routers/reports.py
+++ b/backend/routers/reports.py
@@ -62,11 +62,22 @@ async def generate_ssp(
     Generate a NIST SP 800-171 / CMMC 2.0 SSP in Markdown format.
     Includes: system overview, control family summaries, implementation status.
     """
-    # Fetch latest assessments
-    assessments_dict = await get_latest_assessments(db)
+    # Performance Optimization: Select only required columns
+    assessments_dict = await get_latest_assessments(
+        db,
+        columns=[
+            AssessmentRecord.control_id,
+            AssessmentRecord.status,
+            AssessmentRecord.confidence,
+            AssessmentRecord.notes,
+            AssessmentRecord.evidence_ids,
+        ],
+    )
     assessments = list(assessments_dict.values())
-    controls_result = await db.execute(select(ControlRecord))
-    controls = {c.id: c for c in controls_result.scalars().all()}
+    controls_result = await db.execute(
+        select(ControlRecord.id, ControlRecord.title, ControlRecord.description)
+    )
+    controls = {c.id: c for c in controls_result.all()}
 
     # Count by status
     status_counts = {
@@ -196,10 +207,23 @@ async def generate_poam(
     Generate a Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) as CSV.
     Includes all partial and not_implemented controls.
     """
-    assessments_dict = await get_latest_assessments(db)
+    # Performance Optimization: Select only required columns
+    assessments_dict = await get_latest_assessments(
+        db,
+        columns=[
+            AssessmentRecord.control_id,
+            AssessmentRecord.status,
+            AssessmentRecord.confidence,
+            AssessmentRecord.notes,
+            AssessmentRecord.next_review,
+            AssessmentRecord.assessor,
+        ],
+    )
     assessments = list(assessments_dict.values())
-    controls_result = await db.execute(select(ControlRecord))
-    controls = {c.id: c for c in controls_result.scalars().all()}
+    controls_result = await db.execute(
+        select(ControlRecord.id, ControlRecord.title, ControlRecord.zt_pillar)
+    )
+    controls = {c.id: c for c in controls_result.all()}
 
     output = io.StringIO()
     writer = csv.writer(output)
@@ -259,7 +283,10 @@ async def get_dashboard(
     db: AsyncSession = Depends(get_db),
 ):
     """Return compliance posture summary for dashboard rendering."""
-    assessments_dict = await get_latest_assessments(db)
+    # Performance Optimization: Select only required columns
+    assessments_dict = await get_latest_assessments(
+        db, columns=[AssessmentRecord.control_id, AssessmentRecord.status]
+    )
     assessments = list(assessments_dict.values())
 
     status_counts = {