CMMC Assessment Requirements and Certification Process

• A CMMC assessment validates if your security controls meet DoD standards for FCI and CUI.
• CMMC 2.0 has three levels: Level 1 self-assessment, CMMC Level 2 (often third-party), and Level 3 (government-led).
• The official CMMC assessment process follows Cyber AB’s CAP model: preparation, assessment, reporting, and certification.
• The CMMC compliance deadline is phasing into DoD contracts by late 2025. Starting a CMMC readiness assessment improves bid eligibility and reduces audit pain.

A CMMC assessment is a formal evaluation of a company's cybersecurity practices. This is how the DoD confirms that an organization has put in place the security measures needed to protect sensitive government information. 

The assessment process is carried out by a certified third-party organization (C3PAO), or, for some lower levels, a CMMC self-assessment is permitted. The goal here is to ensure that a company is actually implementing a robust and mature cybersecurity program.

If your organization is part of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), you need CMMC certification. This includes any company that directly contracts with the Department of Defense & CMMC, as well as their subcontractors, suppliers, and vendors who handle CUI. Even if you only handle FCI, you will still need to meet certain CMMC requirements.

The CMMC framework applies to more than 300,000 businesses. The requirement is a critical component of the cybersecurity maturity assessment needed to be eligible for DoD contracts. The need for CMMC certification applies to contracts awarded after the CMMC compliance deadline.

The CMMC framework has three levels, each with increasing requirements for protecting sensitive information. 

1. Level 1: Foundational

Level 1 is for organizations that only handle FCI. The requirements here are foundational and focus on basic cyber hygiene. A CMMC Level 1 self-assessment must be performed annually.

2. Level 2: Advanced

Organizations that handle CUI must achieve CMMC Level 2. This level is based on the 110 security controls from NIST SP 800-171. The CMMC compliance assessment can be a third-party assessment for some contracts or a CMMC self-assessment for others, depending on the type of information handled.

3. Level 3: Expert

This level is for organizations that handle CUI for the highest priority programs. It requires a government-led assessment to verify that an organization has implemented the 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171 plus a subset of controls from NIST SP 800-172.

The final rule codifying CMMC was published in October 2024. Enforcement begins 60 days later, with a three-year phase-in across contracts. By late 2025, most new contracts will include CMMC language.

Assessment Process Overview

• Preparation: Internal gap analysis or CMMC readiness assessment.
• Assessment: Self-assessment or third-party review.
• Reporting: Draft and final report, with findings and POA&Ms.
• Certification: Issued if all requirements are satisfied.

Preparation saves money and reduces stress. Best practices include:

• Running a cybersecurity maturity assessment early.
• Conducting a mock CMMC self-assessment to validate evidence.
• Using automation to classify and protect CUI.
• Training staff to reduce user-related findings.

Organizations that treat compliance as an ongoing program, not a one-time event, to achieve faster certifications.

Navigating the CMMC assessment process can be challenging. Many organizations make common mistakes, such as:

• An SSP is a live document, and failing to keep it up to date is a huge mistake.
• Just because you use a cloud service doesn't mean your data is secure. You are responsible for configuring your cloud environment securely.
• Preparing for a CMMC assessment is a big project that requires time, resources, and a dedicated team.

Egnyte’s secure content platform is an ideal tool to help you meet CMMC compliance requirements. We specialize in helping organizations protect, manage, and collaborate on sensitive data.

Our solution helps you automate key security practices, reducing the manual effort required and lowering the risk of human error. This way, you can: 

• Meet many of the CMMC controls, especially those related to access control, media protection, and data security.
• With Egnyte, you can centralize your data and gain visibility, making it easier to show an assessor that you have the proper controls in place.
• Egnyte’s platform provides the detailed logging and auditing capabilities needed for a strong SSP.

The CMMC assessment may seem like a huge hurdle, but it's a completely achievable mission with the right approach. Yet, with the deadline approaching quickly, 70% of contractors have budgeted far less than the actual cost of a Level 2 assessment, creating a massive preparation gap. 

However, a strong plan and the right tools can make all the difference. Egnyte is the industry-leading solution for secure collaboration and data governance. Our platform provides the comprehensive tools needed to manage your CUI and get your documentation in order, simplifying the entire assessment process. 

Q. What is the difference between a CMMC self-assessment and a third-party assessment?

A CMMC self-assessment is done internally by the contractor and affirmed by leadership. A third-party assessment is performed by a C3PAO, with independent evidence testing and higher scrutiny.

Q. How often do CMMC assessments occur?

Level 1 requires an annual self-assessment. Level 2 may involve either annual self-attestation or triennial third-party certification. Level 3 is government-led, with frequency based on contract terms.

Q. What are the costs associated with a CMMC assessment?

Costs vary by level and scope. Level 1 self-assessments are low-cost but require staff time. Third-party CMMC assessment processes can range from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on system size and readiness.

Q. What happens if an organization fails a CMMC assessment?

You cannot receive certification and may lose eligibility for contracts. However, you can remediate gaps, update your POA&M, and request reassessment.

Q. How does Egnyte support organizations in their CMMC assessment journey?

Egnyte helps by automating CUI discovery, managing permissions, maintaining audit-ready logs, and providing continuous monitoring. These capabilities streamline preparation and reduce assessment risk.