Service Types

CMMC Partner Assurance Network (CPAN) Glossary

A quick guide to the organizations and roles that make up the CMMC Partner Assurance Network.

Each role in the CPAN ecosystem is designed to reduce confusion, align execution, and accelerate your path to certification.

Successful CMMC programs begin with strategy. 
CPAN Advisory Partners help organizations understand their current cybersecurity posture and develop a practical roadmap toward compliance. 
Services include: 

  • Gap assessments
  • Readiness reviews
  • System Security Plan (SSP) development
  • Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) development 
  • Compliance strategy 
  • Remediation planning 
  • CMMC implementation guidance 

These services help organizations make informed decisions before investing in technology or preparing for assessment. 

People remain one of the most important components of cybersecurity. 
CPAN Authorized Training Providers deliver official CMMC training and certification programs that help organizations build internal expertise. 
Training supports: 

  • Executives and decision makers 
  • Security professionals 
  • Compliance managers  
  • CMMC practitioners 
  • Future assessors  

Organizations that invest in training often achieve greater operational efficiency and stronger long-term compliance outcomes.

Many organizations are modernizing their infrastructure through cloud adoption. 
CPAN Cloud Service Providers offer secure cloud environments designed to support CMMC requirements and the protection of CUI. 
Capabilities include:

  • FedRAMP-authorized environments 
  • CMMC-aligned cloud architectures
  • Secure CUI hosting 
  • Identity and access management 
  • Data protection services 
  • Scalable compliance-ready infrastructure  

These solutions enable organizations to reduce operational complexity while improving security and resilience. 

Ultimately, many organizations will require an independent certification assessment. 
CPAN includes authorized C3PAOs that provide: 

  • Readiness reviews 
  • Mock assessments  
  • Assessment preparation guidance 
  • Official CMMC certification assessments   

These organizations help ensure companies understand assessment expectations and are prepared for certification activities. 

Compliance is not a one-time event. 
CPAN GRC and continuous monitoring partners help organizations maintain compliance through automation and visibility. 
Capabilities include:  

  • Control tracking 
  • Evidence collection 
  • Risk management  
  • Automated reporting 
  • Continuous compliance monitoring 
  • Audit readiness support    

These solutions significantly reduce the administrative burden associated with maintaining compliance. 

Many organizations struggle with identifying where CUI exists within their environment. 
CPAN partners assist organizations by: 

  • Discovering sensitive information 
  • Identifying CUI repositories 
  • Establishing marking procedures
  • Developing handling processes 
  • Supporting data governance initiatives  

Accurate CUI identification is often one of the most critical first steps in defining a CMMC boundary. 

Building a security-aware workforce is essential for compliance and risk reduction. 
CPAN cybersecurity training providers deliver:  

  • Security awareness programs 
  • Phishing simulation training
  • Technical cybersecurity education 
  • Compliance-specific workforce training 
  • Executive cyber education  

These services strengthen organizational security culture while supporting CMMC workforce requirements. 

Technology serves as a foundational element of cybersecurity maturity. 
CPAN technology partners provide solutions such as: 

  • Endpoint protection 
  • Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) 
  • Vulnerability management 
  • Identity and Access Management (IAM)  
  • Encryption technologies 
  • Data loss prevention 
  • Security analytics 
  • Penetration testing tools 

Organizations can leverage these solutions to address technical control requirements while improving operational security. 

Organizations that require dedicated hosting environments can leverage CPAN data center providers. 
Capabilities include: 

  • Secure hosting 
  • CUI storage and processing 
  • Physical security controls  
  • Redundant infrastructure 
  • Environmental protections 
  • Compliance-aligned operations 

These facilities support organizations requiring specialized hosting solutions. 

Some organizations prefer a fully integrated approach. 
CPAN End-to-End Solution Providers deliver: 

  • Advisory services 
  • Technology implementation 
  • Security operations  
  • Compliance management 
  • Workforce training 
  • Assessment preparation 

These providers simplify vendor management and accelerate compliance efforts through a unified delivery model. 

Cybersecurity is not only a technical challenge—it is also a business risk. 
CPAN insurance and risk advisory partners help organizations: 

  • Assess cyber risk exposure 
  • Evaluate insurance coverage 
  • Improve insurability  
  • Reduce financial risk 
  • Align cybersecurity investments with business objectives 

These services provide an important layer of organizational resilience. 

The regulatory environment surrounding CMMC continues to evolve. 
CPAN legal partners provide expertise in: 

  • DFARS requirements 
  • Contractual obligations 
  • CUI handling requirements  
  • Incident response 
  • Regulatory compliance 
  • Supplier risk management 

Legal guidance helps organizations navigate complex requirements while reducing potential liability. 

Many organizations lack the internal resources necessary to maintain compliant environments. 
CPAN MSPs provide: 

  • Infrastructure management 
  • Secure network administration 
  • Endpoint management  
  • Compliance-focused operations 
  • Ongoing support services 

These providers help organizations maintain operational effectiveness while meeting compliance obligations. 

Cybersecurity requires continuous vigilance. 
CPAN MSSPs deliver: 

  • 24x7 monitoring 
  • Threat detection 
  • Incident response
  • Security operations center services 
  • Log management 
  • Threat intelligence 

These capabilities help organizations maintain strong security postures while satisfying monitoring requirements. 

Many organizations require assistance integrating multiple technologies and security controls. 
CPAN System Integrators provide: 

  • Security architecture design 
  • Technology deployment 
  • Secure system integration 
  • Cloud migration support 
  • Hybrid infrastructure implementation 

These partners ensure technologies work together effectively to support compliance objectives.  

A successful cybersecurity program requires the right people in the right roles. 
CPAN Workforce Alignment partners help organizations: 

  • Identify cybersecurity talent needs 
  • Source qualified professionals 
  • Build cybersecurity teams 
  • Support workforce planning 
  • Fill compliance-specific skill gaps

This capability is particularly valuable as demand for cybersecurity professionals continues to grow across the defense sector.