What is a CMMC assessment?

A CMMC assessment is the official process used by the Department of Defense (DoD) to verify that contractors meet required cybersecurity practices and controls under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework.

How do I prepare for a CMMC assessment?

Preparation involves five key steps: knowing your CMMC Level and scope, implementing required controls, conducting readiness assessments, securing an authorized assessment partner, and scheduling the official audit.

Who needs a CMMC assessment?

Any organization that handles Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as part of a DoD contract must undergo a CMMC assessment to demonstrate compliance.

How long does a CMMC assessment take?

The full CMMC assessment process can take several months to over a year, depending on the organization’s size, cybersecurity maturity, remediation needs, and the assessment Level required.

Do I need a third-party partner for a CMMC assessment?

It depends on your Level. Level 1 requires annual self-assessments, Level 2 may require a Certified Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), and Level 3 requires government-led assessments. Partnering with a qualified advisor can streamline compliance at any Level.

How to Prepare for a CMMC Assessment

RSI Security

1 year ago

Organizations that want to win Department of Defense (DoD) contracts must meet strict security requirements under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Preparing for a CMMC assessment involves defining your scope, implementing required controls, running readiness tests, choosing an assessment partner if needed, and scheduling the final certification review.

Not sure if your organization is ready for a CMMC assessment? Request a consultation today to evaluate your compliance and take the next step toward DoD contract eligibility.

Five Steps to CMMC Assessment Prep

The Department of Defense (DoD) will soon require all contractors to achieve Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). This means every organization must prepare for, complete, and report on a CMMC 2.0 assessment at the appropriate certification Level.

If your organization is starting from scratch, here are five key steps to CMMC 2.0 assessment prep:

Identify Your CMMC Level and Scope: Determine which Level of certification applies to your contracts.
Implement the Required Security Controls: Put the necessary policies, processes, and technical safeguards in place.
Conduct a Readiness Assessment: Test your compliance posture and close any gaps before the official review.
Engage a Certified Assessment Partner: Depending on your Level, working with a third-party assessor may be mandatory.
Schedule and Complete the Official Assessment: Finalize reporting and certification to prove compliance.

Partnering with a qualified advisor or assessor simplifies the entire CMMC assessment process and helps ensure you meet DoD compliance requirements efficiently.

Step 1: Know Your Level and Scope

The first step in preparing for a CMMC assessment is determining which certification Level applies to your organization. Each Level comes with unique security controls and assessment requirements, so understanding your scope is essential before moving forward.

Under the updated CMMC 2.0 framework, organizations fall into one of three Levels:

Level 1 (Foundational): Protects Federal Contract Information (FCI) with basic safeguarding practices.
Level 2 (Advanced): Protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with practices aligned to NIST SP 800-171.
Level 3 (Expert): Applies to organizations handling the most sensitive data and requires advanced cybersecurity protections.

In earlier versions, CMMC used five Maturity Levels that measured both practices and processes. With CMMC 2.0, these have been streamlined into three Levels, roughly aligning with Levels 1, 3, and 5 from the original model.

To scope your assessment accurately, review the security requirements outlined in your current or prospective DoD contracts. Eventually, all DoD contracts will require CMMC certification, making early preparation a strategic advantage.

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Step 2: Implement Required Controls

Once you know your certification Level, the next step in preparing for a CMMC assessment is implementing the security controls tied to that Level. These requirements are rooted in federal standards, making it critical to understand their source.

The CMMC 2.0 framework draws primarily from the NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-171, which protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The companion NIST SP 800-172 expands protections further, addressing Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) for higher-risk environments.

Here’s how the controls break down by Level:

Level 1 (Foundational): 15 basic controls from NIST SP 800-171, focused on safeguarding Federal Contract Information (FCI).
Level 2 (Advanced): 110 controls from the full NIST SP 800-171, aligning with “Good” security practices for protecting CUI and strengthening FCI safeguards.
Level 3 (Expert): All 110 Level 2 controls plus a subset of NIST SP 800-172 requirements (to be finalized), aimed at defending CUI/FCI against APTs.

Implementing the right controls not only ensures compliance but also streamlines the official CMMC assessment process when it’s time to certify.

Step 3: Conduct Readiness Assessments

While not required, a CMMC readiness assessment is one of the most valuable steps for organizations preparing for certification, especially if it’s your first time seeking compliance. A readiness assessment acts as a “practice run,” testing your security controls against official requirements before the formal CMMC assessment takes place.

The main purpose of readiness assessments is to identify gaps and remediation needs early. Many organizations believe they are compliant, only to discover during a readiness review that certain controls don’t meet CMMC standards. Addressing these issues in advance reduces costly delays and helps ensure smoother certification.

Currently, readiness assessment guides are available for CMMC Level 1 and CMMC Level 2. Guidance for Level 3 is still in development. For contractors that require third-party or government assessments, partnering with an external advisor for a readiness review may provide additional insights beyond what internal teams can achieve.

Step 4: Secure an CMMC Assessment Partner

After scoping your environment and implementing the necessary controls, the next step is arranging your official CMMC 2.0 assessment. The requirements differ by certification Level:

Level 1 (Foundational): Contractors perform annual self–assessments and report results to the DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Level 2 (Advanced): Most organizations must undergo a triennial third-party assessment with a Certified Third Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) accredited by the Cyber AB, along with annual self-affirmations. A limited group of contractors may qualify for self-assessments at this Level.
Level 3 (Expert): Assessments are conducted by government-led teams every three years, with annual affirmation requirements.

For Level 2 contractors that require third-party assessments, working with a Cyber AB–authorized C3PAO is mandatory. These assessors are rigorously vetted and trained to ensure they meet CMMC 2.0 standards themselves.

Even organizations eligible for self-assessments should consider engaging an external CMMC advisor or assessor. Partnering with experts can simplify compliance, reduce errors, and help sustain long-term cybersecurity maturity as operations grow.

CMMC assessment

Step 5: Set Up Your Authorized Assessment

The final step in preparing for a CMMC 2.0 assessment is scheduling the official review. If the earlier steps are completed, this process is more straightforward. Work closely with your advisor or assessment partner to set a realistic timeline that accounts for remediation needs, readiness reviews, and final reporting.

When selecting an assessor, remember that Certified Third Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) are listed by the Cyber AB. While all C3PAOs meet the same baseline qualifications, their service quality and client support vary. Choosing the right partner—such as RSI Security—ensures you get both compliance verification and long-term value.

Assessment timelines can differ significantly based on your certification Level, organizational size, and the assessor’s availability. In many cases, the full process takes several months, and the journey from preparation to official reporting can extend beyond a year. For that reason, it’s best to engage an assessor as early as possible.

Finally, consider whether your CMMC assessment partner can also support compliance with other cybersecurity frameworks. A strategic partner helps you maximize resources while building a more resilient security posture across your organization.

Facilitate Your CMMC Assessment Process

Although CMMC compliance has evolved significantly over the past four years, many organizations still find the framework difficult to interpret, implement, and certify. Even with CMMC 2.0’s streamlined approach, preparing for and completing a CMMC assessment can be complex without expert guidance.

That’s where a qualified partner like RSI Security makes the difference.

We’ve been helping DoD contractors prepare for compliance since before the CMMC was introduced. Our team has deep expertise in the NIST frameworks that form the foundation of CMMC, and we specialize in guiding organizations through every step of the process—from gap analysis and remediation to readiness reviews and official assessments.

Partner with RSI Security to streamline your CMMC 2.0 journey, strengthen your security posture, and ensure long-term compliance.