Getting CMMC
Ready
Align technical controls, documentation, and security practices with NIST 800-171 requirements to ensure a smooth and successful CMMC audit.
Navigate the certification process with confidence and clarity
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is no longer optional for companies supporting the Department of Defense (DoD). If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI), CMMC compliance is required to bid on and retain government contracts.
The CMMC Certification Process
1
Assessment Scope Definition & Evidence Preparation
Key Activities:
- Assessment scope boundary confirmation and asset inventory
- Evidence artifact compilation and organization by control family
- SSP and POA&M final review and validation
- C3PAO selection guidance and engagement coordination
2
C3PAO Assessment Execution & Support
Key Activities:
- On-site or remote support during the C3PAO assessment
- Real-time evidence retrieval and clarification assistance
- Personnel interview preparation and coaching
- Assessment finding tracking and response coordination
3
Findings Resolution & Certification Achievement
Key Activities:
- Assessment findings analysis and corrective action planning
- Remediation execution support within the POA&M closeout window
- Final certification status confirmation
- Post-certification compliance maintenance planning
Solvere One has guided defense contractors through the full spectrum of CMMC assessments, from Level 1 self-assessments to Level 2 third-party certifications. We understand the assessment methodology, the evidence standards that assessors apply, and the common pitfalls that lead to findings — so you can avoid them.
What Sets Our Approach Apart
Assessment-Ready Evidence Packages — We do not just help you implement controls; we ensure every control has the documented evidence that C3PAO assessors need to mark it as MET. From screenshots and configuration exports to signed policies and training records, your evidence package will be organized, complete, and audit-ready.
Deep C3PAO Process Knowledge — Our team understands exactly how C3PAO assessors evaluate organizations. We know which assessment objectives receive the most scrutiny, where organizations commonly fall short, and how to present your compliance posture in the clearest possible light.
Real-Time Assessment Support — During your C3PAO assessment, our team is available to help you respond to assessor questions, retrieve evidence artifacts, and coordinate across your technical and management teams. You will never face the assessors alone.
Post-Assessment Remediation — If the assessment results in conditional findings, we immediately develop corrective action plans and support your team through remediation to resolve any open items within the allowed timeframe.
Understanding CMMC Certification Levels
Level 1 — Foundational Applies to contractors handling only Federal Contract Information (FCI). Requires implementation of 17 basic safeguarding practices based on FAR 52.204-21. Assessed through annual self-assessment with results submitted to SPRS.
Level 2 — Advanced Required for contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Covers all 110 security requirements from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 across 14 control families. Most Level 2 certifications require a third-party assessment by an authorized C3PAO, with certification valid for three years.
Level 3 — Expert Designed for contractors supporting the most critical DoD programs. Builds on Level 2 with additional requirements from NIST SP 800-172. Assessed by the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC).
Common Pitfalls That Delay Certification
Incomplete System Security Plans — Your SSP must accurately describe your environment boundaries, all in-scope assets, and how each of the 110 controls is implemented. Vague or outdated SSPs are one of the top reasons assessments stall.
Insufficient Evidence Artifacts — Assessors need verifiable proof for every control. Stating that a control is implemented is not enough — you must demonstrate it through configuration screenshots, log samples, signed policies, and documented procedures.
Poorly Defined CUI Boundaries — If you cannot clearly articulate where CUI enters, resides, is processed, and exits your environment, the entire assessment scope becomes questionable. Clear boundary definition is foundational.
Unprepared Personnel — C3PAO assessors interview staff to verify that security practices are understood and followed — not just documented. Team members need to know their roles in the security program and be prepared to discuss them confidently.
From first assessment to ongoing certification, Solvere One serves as your dedicated compliance partner
End-to-End CMMC Expertise
Current Threat & Regulatory Intelligence
Ready to Get CMMC Certified?
Preparing for CMMC doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let our cybersecurity experts guide you through compliance with clarity and confidence.
New to the process? Start with our CMMC compliance checklist. Already certified? Learn about ongoing CMMC compliance support.