Finding the right CMMC consultant for your organization involves four key steps. First, determine whether and when you need CMMC certification. Next, identify the CMMC Level and requirements that apply to your contracts. From there, assess your current compliance posture with a gap assessment. Finally, compare CMMC consulting services to select the provider best suited to guide your organization to certification.
Step #1: Determine if You Need to Comply (and When)
The first step in working with a CMMC consultant is confirming whether your organization needs Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). This framework, developed by the Department of Defense (DoD), streamlines requirements from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to protect sensitive government data.
CMMC focuses on safeguarding two categories of information: Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). If your organization handles either typex, now or in the future, you will likely need to achieve compliance.
Your DoD contracts will specify which CMMC Level you must reach and the deadline for doing so. Understanding these requirements early allows you to choose a consultant who can guide you through assessments and align your compliance timeline with contract obligations.
Step #2: Understand Your CMMC Level Requirements
After confirming that CMMC compliance applies to your organization, the next step is determining which CMMC Level your DoD contracts require. Typically:
- Companies handling only Federal Contract Information (FCI) must meet CMMC Level 1.
- Companies that process Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) will likely need Level 2 or, in more advanced cases, Level 3.
When evaluating CMMC consultants, ensure they can guide you through the specific requirements at your Level:
- CMMC Level 1: Foundational: Safeguards for FCI with 17 practices from NIST SP 800-171 and annual self-assessments.
- CMMC Level 2: Advanced: Safeguards for both FCI and CUI, requiring all 110 practices from NIST SP 800-171 and third-party assessments every three years.
- CMMC Level 3: Expert: Focused on CUI with additional practices (from NIST SP 800-172) and triennial government-led audits.
You must also consider which assets are in-scope for your certification. The DoD provides scoping guidance for Levels 1 and Levels 2, while Level 3 guidance is still evolving but expected to expand upon Level 2 requirements.
By identifying your required Level early, you can select a consultant who offers CMMC services tailored to your compliance needs.
Step #3: Perform Gap or Readiness Assessments
Before selecting a CMMC consultant, it’s important to understand how close your organization already is to meeting DoD requirements. A CMMC gap assessment sometimes called a readiness assessment, mirrors the certification audit to identify which practices are in place and which still need to be implemented.
For example, a CMMC Level 1 self-assessment evaluates safeguards such as:
- Access control: Managing authorized access and external connections.
- Identification and authentication: Verifying user identities.
- Media and physical protection: Securing and properly disposing of sensitive data and controlling physical access.
- System protections: Maintaining boundaries, separating public systems, and protecting against malicious code.
If these baseline controls are in place, your organization is on track for Level 1 certification. However, CMMC Level 2 and Level 3 add over 90 additional practices across domains like incident response, security assessments, and system maintenance.
By understanding your current compliance posture, you can determine whether you need a consultant who focuses primarily on CMMC readiness assessments or one that offers comprehensive advisory services to guide you through full implementation.
Step #4: Compare CMMC Consultant Offerings
Once you understand the scope of support your organization needs, the final step is evaluating different CMMC consulting services. For organizations just beginning their compliance journey, a full-service CMMC partner is often the best choice. These consultants not only conduct assessments but also guide you through implementation, the stage where most challenges arise. By working with an advisor, you can establish and maintain the required controls, making certification audits far smoother.
If you are primarily seeking an assessment, the Cyber AB (formerly the CMMC Accreditation Body) maintains a directory of accredited Certified Third-Party Assessor Organizations (C3PAOs). These authorized assessors are vetted to conduct official CMMC audits and can be compared based on expertise and availability.
Choosing between a full-service CMMC consultant and an accredited C3PAO depends on your current readiness and long-term compliance goals.
Streamline Your CMMC Implementation
Finding the right CMMC consultant starts with defining your compliance scope, whether you need certification now, at a future date, and at which level. A CMMC gap assessment is the best way to identify where your organization stands, what support you require, and which service provider is the best fit for your goals.
At RSI Security, we specialize in guiding DoD contractors and suppliers through every stage of CMMC readiness and certification. Our experts provide tailored advisory and implementation support to help you close compliance gaps, simplify audits, and maintain long-term security.
Take the next step toward compliance and strengthen your competitive advantage. Contact RSI Security today to learn more about our CMMC consulting services.
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