Prepare for Certification With Clarity, Not Guesswork
CMMC 2.0 is reshaping how defense contractors protect sensitive data, and how they demonstrate compliance. For organizations across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), the pressure to meet evolving requirements is increasing, especially as formal third-party assessments approach. A CMMC self-assessment removes much of the uncertainty from the process. Instead of reacting at the last minute, organizations can proactively evaluate their security posture, understand where they stand against CMMC requirements, and plan remediation with confidence.
In this guide, we explain how CMMC self-assessments fit into the broader certification process, what they can and cannot accomplish, and how to use them to uncover compliance gaps and accelerate readiness, without confusion or wasted effort.
What Is a CMMC Self-Assessment?
A CMMC self-assessment is an internal evaluation of your organization’s cybersecurity posture against the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) framework. It helps defense contractors determine whether required security practices are properly implemented before facing a formal assessment.
Under CMMC 2.0, self-assessments may be permitted for Level 1 organizations. However, they do not replace the independent third-party assessments required for Level 2 and Level 3 certification.
A self-assessment does not result in official certification. Instead, it provides internal visibility into your current controls, highlights compliance gaps, and identifies what must be addressed before an authorized third party conducts an assessment.
Can Organizations Self-Certify Under CMMC?
No. Under CMMC 2.0, organizations cannot self-certify.
Formal CMMC certification requires an assessment pathway defined by Department of Defense (DoD) rulemaking and enforced through contract language. While Level 1 organizations may be permitted to complete annual CMMC self-assessments, these reviews do not result in certification and are not valid for contracts that require Level 2 or Level 3 compliance.
A CMMC self-assessment is a readiness and gap-analysis tool, not an authorization mechanism. Organizations that confuse internal reviews with official credentials, or overstate their readiness, face significant risk once formal third-party audits begin.
Why CMMC Self-Assessments Still Matter
Even though they do not result in certification, CMMC self-assessments play a critical role in compliance preparation.
They enable organizations to proactively identify gaps against NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2—the foundation of CMMC Level 2 requirements, while validating that policies, procedures, and technical controls are fully aligned. This early visibility reduces the risk of surprises during a formal assessment and helps teams allocate time and resources more effectively.
A CMMC self-assessment also provides a structured way to prioritize remediation, particularly when CMMC requirements are tied to near-term contract obligations.
When conducted correctly, self-assessments reduce uncertainty, improve audit readiness, and accelerate the path toward CMMC compliance.
What Is Evaluated During a CMMC Assessment?
CMMC does not reinvent cybersecurity, it formalizes the controls already required under NIST SP 800-171.
For CMMC Level 2, assessments are based on two key standards:
- NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 – Defines the required security practices
- NIST SP 800-171A – Provides guidance on how to evaluate those practices
During an assessment, the evaluator, whether an internal team performing a self-assessment or a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), examines three categories of evidence:
- Documentation – Policies, procedures, System Security Plan (SSP), and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
- Objective Evidence – Screenshots, system logs, access configurations, asset inventories
- Interviews & Demonstrations – Confirmation that documented controls are consistently applied
Each practice is scored as:
- Met – Fully implemented and supported by clear evidence
- Not Met – Missing, incomplete, or inconsistently applied
- Not Applicable – Out of scope with proper justification
Honest internal self-assessments are essential. Overstating readiness or inflating compliance can create significant risk when a formal assessment occurs.
Who Performs Official CMMC Assessments?
Official CMMC Level 2 assessments can only be conducted by Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) authorized by The Cyber AB. These assessors follow strict guidelines to ensure independence, proper evidence handling, and impartiality.
If your organization works with an advisory or readiness partner, note that the same partner cannot serve as your assessor due to conflict-of-interest rules.
Always verify that any C3PAO is currently authorized and listed by The Cyber AB before engaging them for an assessment.
Understanding the CMMC 2.0 Framework
CMMC 2.0 streamlines the previous five-tier model into distinct levels of cybersecurity maturity, each aligned with the type of information your organization handles and the associated risk of your contracts.
Level 1 – Foundational
- Designed for organizations managing Federal Contract Information (FCI) only
- Includes 17 practices focused on basic cyber hygiene
- Annual self-assessments are permitted
Level 2 – Advanced
- Applies to most Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
- Aligns with 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171
- Requires a third-party assessment, unless the contract allows self-attestation
Level 3 – Expert
- Reserved for organizations supporting high-priority national security programs
- Incorporates NIST SP 800-172 controls to defend against advanced persistent threats (APTs)
- Assessed by government-led teams
For most contractors, CMMC Level 2 readiness is the primary goal, especially as more contracts are expected to include CMMC compliance requirements in 2026.
CMMC Domains and Practice Areas
CMMC Level 2 practices are organized into 14 cybersecurity domains, each covering critical aspects of information security for Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors. Key domains include:
- Access Control
- Audit and Accountability
- Configuration Management
- Identification and Authentication
- Incident Response
- Risk Management
- System and Information Integrity
- …and others
Each domain encompasses both technical safeguards and institutionalized processes. It is not enough to simply implement controls, you must also demonstrate that they are consistently applied and supported by repeatable documentation.
CMMC Self-Assessment Readiness Checklist
Use the following questions to guide your internal CMMC self-assessment:
If you are unsure about any item in the checklist, start your remediation efforts there to close gaps before a formal assessment.
Best Practice: Every finding in your self-assessment should be mapped to:
- A specific CMMC control
- The associated asset or system
- A designated owner responsible for remediation
Following this approach ensures that your self-assessment is structured, actionable, and audit-ready.
CMMC Readiness Is a Journey, Not a Checkbox
A CMMC self-assessment is not a one-time task. It is part of an ongoing process that strengthens the long-term maturity of your cybersecurity program.
To achieve full CMMC readiness, your organization should focus on:
- Clear, defensible documentation
- Technical controls that accurately reflect your environment
- Repeatable processes supported by consistent evidence
- Remediation tracking and POA&Ms tied to deadlines
- Independent assessment when required
CMMC compliance is more than passing an audit—it’s about establishing a sustainable cybersecurity posture that your team can maintain and defend under operational pressure.
How RSI Security Supports CMMC Preparation
RSI Security provides end-to-end support for organizations pursuing CMMC compliance, including:
- CMMC readiness assessments aligned to NIST SP 800-171
- Detailed gap analysis and prioritized remediation roadmaps
- Assistance developing and validating System Security Plans (SSPs) and Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms)
- Ongoing vCISO advisory to strengthen governance and risk management
- Conducting official Level 2 assessments as a Certified C3PAO
With RSI Security, your organization doesn’t just prepare, it prepares responsibly. By combining AI-powered insights with human-led guidance, we help your team navigate the CMMC process with clarity, from initial self-assessment through full certification.
Let’s Build a Defensible Path to CMMC Certification
CMMC requirements are increasingly appearing in contracts, and timelines for compliance are accelerating. Whether your organization needs help conducting a CMMC readiness review or preparing for a third-party assessment, RSI Security provides the expertise and guidance to move forward with confidence.
Next Steps:
- Contact RSI Security to discuss tailored support for your compliance journey
With RSI Security, you’re not just preparing—you’re building a defensible, audit-ready cybersecurity program that stands up to formal assessments.
Download Our CMMC Checklist
