CMMC Assessment Prep: How to Get Certified Without the Headaches

Cyberattacks against the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) are growing, and the Department of Defense (DoD) isn’t taking chances. Contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must meet Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 requirements to win and keep DoD contracts.

But for many companies, navigating CMMC is a challenge. The process involves documentation of 110 security controls and 320 objectives, tracking down the compliance of any third party vendors used and then after all of that, getting on the calendar for third-party assessments by a qualified C3PAO can take months. If you wait too long, you risk contract delays due to noncompliance.

To support your CMMC journey, here’s what to expect from a CMMC Assessment —and how to prepare.

 
Step 1: Know Your CMMC Level and What’s Required

First, figure out which CMMC level applies to your organization. Your contract or contracting officer will confirm this.

Level 1 – Foundational: Protects FCI with 15  basic security practices. Self-assessment required annually.

Level 2 – Advanced: For handling CUI, requiring 110 security controls and 320 security objectives aligned with NIST SP 800-171. A few select contracts allow self-assessments, but the vast majority will require Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) assessments.

Level 3 – Expert: For highly sensitive CUI. Requires a government-led assessment following a C3PAO led assessment against NIST SP 800-171. The government-led assessment will focus only on the 24 enhanced practices from  NIST SP 800-172.
 

What to Do Now

• Confirm your required level—don’t assume.
• Perform a quick self-assessment to compare where you are vs. where you need to be.
• Map out your FCI and CUI data flows so you know what systems will be assessed.

Step 2: Get Your House in Order Before the Assessment

CMMC certification isn’t just about IT. It’s a full-company effort that requires clear policies, well-documented security controls, and staff who know their role in protecting data.

Key Steps to Prepare

1. Define the Scope

• Identify which networks, systems, and locations handle CUI with a CUI Boundary Analysis.
• Minimize scope where possible—limit CUI exposure to only what’s necessary.

2. Fix Gaps Before the Assessment

• Conduct a CMMC gap analysis against NIST SP 800-171.
• Address Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), logging, and access control issues early as this is one control requirement that is critically important, can be time consuming to implement, and is frequently missing in smaller members of the DIB.

3. Lock Down Documentation

• Update your System Security Plan (SSP)—this is the first thing assessors will check.
• Ensure your incident response plan, access control policies, and network diagrams are complete.

4. Conduct a Mock Assessment

• Review evidence as if a C3PAO were assessing you tomorrow.
• Ensure employees can explain security controls—assessors will ask.
   

What to Do Now

• Use the DoD’s Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) to ensure that your current NIST 800-171 score is accurate.
• Schedule a mock assessment with a C3PAO if your team isn’t confident in your readiness for an assessment.

Step 3: What Happens During the CMMC Assessment?

If you’re seeking to achieve CMMC Level 2 and require a C3PAO assessment, here’s what to expect:

Phase 1: Planning & Kickoff

- Your C3PAO reviews documentation and defines readiness.
- Interviews and evidence collection are scheduled assuming the OSC is ready to go forward.

Phase 2: Evidence Collection & Validation

- Assessors check technical controls, policies, and security logs.
- Employees are interviewed—regarding policies, procedures and practices in place to ensure that what is recorded as practice is accurate and that there are no gaps.

Phase 3: Findings & Report

- You’ll receive preliminary results. If there are gaps, you get a Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M).
- You typically have up to 180 days to fix issues.

Phase 4: Certification Decision

- If you meet all requirements, you get certified for three years.
- If not, you must remediate and undergo a follow-up review.
 

What to Do Now

• Prepare leadership and IT teams for interviews. Assessors look for organizational buy-in, not just compliance checkboxes.
• Fix common failure points before assessment—MFA, logging, and staff training are top issues.
   

Step 4: Staying Compliant After Certification

CMMC compliance isn’t a one-and-done process. Many companies pass assessments, then fail follow-ups because they don’t maintain security practices year-round.

Best Practices for Long-Term Compliance

1. Monitor Security Continuously

• Review security settings quarterly—don’t wait for a re-certification.
• Set up automated alerts for suspicious activity.

2. Train Employees Regularly

• Cybersecurity training should be ongoing, not just a yearly PowerPoint.
• Test employees on incident response, phishing detection, and access controls.

3. Conduct Internal Assessments

• Run a self-assessment at least once a year to catch issues early.
• Keep all security documentation updated—you will need it.

4. Stay Ahead of CMMC Changes

• DoD policies continue to evolve—track Cyber AB and DoD updates.
• Work with compliance experts to adjust security practices as needed.

What to Do Now

• Assign a compliance lead to monitor CMMC updates and prepare for recertification.
• Treat cybersecurity as a business strategy, not just a compliance requirement.
   
   

Final Thoughts: Get Ahead of CMMC Now

CMMC certification isn’t optional for DoD contractors—it’s a business requirement. But companies that start early, document everything, and train their teams properly will have a smoother path to compliance.

What to Do Next

• Review the CMMC Assessment Process v2.0.
• Conduct an internal NIST 800-171 self-assessment.
• Get a mock assessment scheduled to identify gaps before your formal assessment.

If you need expert guidance, we can help. Contact our team for expert support on your path to CMMC compliance, so you can get certified without the headaches.