Here’s an interesting fact: Most certified organizations are available to evaluate the security of more than 77,000 U.S. defense companies. As a result, expert help with CMMC certification is in high demand.
Why does this matter? Sensitive government information has to be protected from cyber threats, and defense companies handle that information. The CMMC framework sets strict security standards for these companies, verified by independent assessors (C3PAOs).
This guide explains how to work with a C3PAO and get certified. It will help you through available support options that will allow you to strengthen your cyber security and meet Department of Defense requirements.
Contents
Steps to Get C3PAO Certified
There are three steps to becoming a Certified Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO): assess defense contractors’ cybersecurity practices.
Organizations must first pass background checks. That includes financial reviews and assessments to ensure U.S. ownership or proper handling of any foreign influence.
Second, organizations must satisfy technical standards. This translates to following NIST frameworks of handling sensitive information and creating a System Security Plan with supporting evidence of strong cybersecurity controls.
Finally, C3PAO status must be maintained. Organizations require ISO 17020 certification and continuous updates to conduct regular audits and meet new cybersecurity requirements.
Professional Organizations That Can Help You Get Certified
1. Working with C3PAO Assessment Organizations
C3PAOs do more than assess CMMC compliance — they help organizations prepare for certification through pre-assessment services. These organizations understand the CMMC framework deeply and can spot areas that need improvement.
Key Benefits:
- Expert Knowledge: C3PAOs complete extensive training in CMMC standards. They provide specific feedback about your cybersecurity weaknesses and tell you how to fix them.
- Pre-Assessment Help: They review your documentation before formal certification. This includes checking your System Security Plan, incident response plans, and policies to find gaps early.
- Unbiased Assessment: C3PAOs must follow conflict-of-interest rules. They can advise you but cannot implement solutions, so they must ensure fair assessments.
A C3PAO can evaluate your current practices and guide you toward CMMC Level 2 standards while maintaining objectivity.
2. Working with Compliance Consulting Firms
Cybersecurity consulting firms provide complete support for CMMC compliance. They help organizations meet multiple standards like NIST SP 800-171 and FedRAMP through three main services:
- Gap Analysis: They review your current security controls to find weaknesses in your CMMC compliance. This helps you focus on the most important fixes.
- Remediation Planning: Consultants create detailed plans to fix compliance gaps. Each plan includes specific steps, responsibilities, and deadlines.
- Documentation Help: They create and organize all required documents, including policies and system security plans. This ensures you have proper evidence for CMMC audits.
Consulting firms coordinate compliance across departments and locations efficiently for large companies with complex systems.
3. Working with Independent Security Consultants
Independent cybersecurity consultants offer focused, one-on-one support for CMMC compliance. They work on specific projects based on your needs.
Key Benefits:
- Custom Support: These experts create solutions that match your organization’s specific risks and operations. You get direct guidance for your unique situation.
- Project-Based Work: Hire consultants for single tasks like improving security plans or testing systems. You can adjust their involvement based on your needs and budget.
- Lower Costs: Small and mid-sized organizations often save money with independent consultants compared to large firms. This works well if your team handles some compliance tasks internally.
Check the consultant’s certifications (like CISSP or CISA) and CMMC experience. Ask for references and past work examples to ensure quality.
4. Building Internal Teams with External Support
Most major organizations have their own Compliance Team, but external experts are added to provide better results. This combined approach has several benefits.
- Fresh Perspective: External eyes see things that cannot be seen when you are inside. They are unbiased in their reviews and do not consider their work politics.
- Expertise Added: External partners are experts in new regulations and assessment methods. They assist complex technical teams inside the company.
- Internal Teams Can Focus Better: Outside experts can perform the technical reviews and documentation, while internal teams can work on bigger projects such as long-term security planning.
Clearly define your roles between the internally and externally driven groups. In this case, your internal team must manage overall strategy and technical assessments while experts are hired from outside to take over the latter.
Find the Right Help For Your Needs
The choice of support for C3PAO certification depends on the organization’s specific situation. Regarding the business size, a hands-on consultant who can provide personal guidance works best for small businesses. Typically, larger companies require consulting firms that work at many locations.
How compliant you need to be also determines your support needs. For some organizations, the standard for handling sensitive information is NIST SP 800-171, while others need help with FedRAMP for cloud systems.
Consider your budget carefully. Failing an assessment or losing a contract is much more expensive than seeking expert help. Small companies often hire independent consultants for affordable support, while large organizations hire a full-service firm for full support.
Conclusion
The first step to start your certification process is assessing your organization’s security. After this, you must determine if you can forgo a C3PAO, consultant, or cybersecurity expert’s assistance.
Choose a support option that matches your business’s requirements and the limit you can bear. It will allow you to meet DoD requirements and enhance your security practices.
