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Don’t navigate the complex framework of CMMC alone. Use our CMMC-CP accredited vCISO leadership to get you audit-ready and keep you compliant so you never miss another opportunity.
We need to get CMMC certification, but…
Access proven CMMC experts who will remove all of the uncertainty surrounding NIST 800-171 requirements, CMMC levels, and audit preparation. We’ll guide every step of the way and conduct a gap analysis, remediation planning, and CMMC readiness assessment so you’re fully C3PAO audit prepared.
Count on our team to do the heavy lifting without disrupting your day-to-day responsibilities. Rather than spending your time tracking NIST 800-171 controls, rewriting policies, and preparing C3PAO audit evidence, we’ll move your program forward and only bring you in when your input is essential.
Rely on experts who know exactly how to get you from unprepared to certified, without wasting time. We leverage our expertise and cut through the complexity of CMMC to prioritize the controls that matter most for your contracts. While others struggle to navigate the framework, you’ll move quickly towards certification with confidence.
Navigate the complexities of CMMC compliance with U.S.-based cybersecurity experts who function as an easy-to-reach extension of your team. We ensure your audit readiness and remove all the guesswork around NIST SP 800-171 so you have a clear path to certification.
Fractional CISO serves you with CMMC-RP accredited vCISO leadership, giving you the best of both worlds so you can make smart decisions every step of the way. You’ll lean on our expertise to avoid common pitfalls, gain clarity on complex requirements, and build a compliance program that fits your business and stands up to C3PAO scrutiny.
Unlike other firms, we help develop holistic, risk-optimized cybersecurity programs that allow you to mitigate risk while getting certified as efficiently as possible. We ensure that your CMMC audit prep is integrated across your broader cybersecurity program, saving you time and resources in the long run.
CMMC is the DoD’s required framework to ensure contractors protect sensitive government information. CMMC is mandatory, unlike voluntary frameworks like SOC 2, for any defense contractors competing for or renewing DoD contracts.
The DoD developed CMMC 2.0 to strengthen cybersecurity across its supply chain, consisting of three levels:
Most contractors will need to meet Level 2, but we’ll help you determine the right level for your specific environment, identify gaps, and create your tailored certification roadmap.
CMMC compliance means you’ve implemented the security practices required by the framework. Certification means a C3PAO has validated your proof of meeting those requirements. You may be compliant, but if you aren’t certified by a recognized C3PAO, you are ineligible for DoD contracts. Fractional CISO helps you get audit-ready with confidence, guiding you every step of the way, and will help you stay compliant post-certification.
CMMC Level | Type of Information Handled | Number of Practices Required | Assessment Type | Who conducts the assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Level 1 | Federal Contract Information (FCI) | 17 practices (Derived from FAR 52.204-21 and NIST SP 800-171) | Annual self-assessment | Internal |
Level 2 | Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) | 110 practices (Aligned with NIST SP 800-171) | Third-party C3PAO assessment required for most contracts | Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) |
Level 3 | High-value CUI/ National security-critical info | 110+ practices (NIST SP 800-171) | Government-led assessment | Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) |
Don’t just take our word for it, read our case study about how we helped WayPath Consulting become SOC 2 compliant:
CTO of WayPath Consulting
Fractional CISO has enabled us to showcase best-in-class security, putting us on-par with firms much larger in employee count. They allow me to re-invest time previously spent on day-to-day management into growing and improving our business.”
While you don’t need a consultant, CMMC is a complex framework that even the most seasoned IT and security teams struggle to navigate.
Consultants help by translating requirements into plain English and then creating actionable steps for you to identify and correct gaps until you’re audit-ready. This saves you time, headaches, and money, making it a smart investment.
CMMC is both a certification and a compliance framework. Getting CMMC compliant is the result of satisfactorily meeting the framework’s requirements.
Certification is the result of completing a C3PAO audit. The Department of Defense requires CMMC certification and ongoing CMMC compliance. CMMC reassessments are required every three years for Level 2 and Level 3 certifications.
Failing a CMMC audit means you are immediately ineligible for DoD contracts. You lose any existing contracts, as well as all of the time and resources dedicated to audit prep that you can’t get back. You are also more likely to be left behind as CMMC enforcement ramps up in the coming years.
Don’t let this be you. Reach out to us today for CMMC success.
DIY Approach | Inexperienced IT/Cyber Specialist/ Consultant | Fractional CISO | |
|---|---|---|---|
Internal Work Required | High. You and your team will handle the entire process on your own. | Medium. Consultants may help with framework mapping and documentation, but your team does the legwork to stay compliant. | Low. Most of the heavy lifting is handled by our team, and we engage your staff when their input is essential. |
Integration with Cybersecurity Program | None. If you don’t know how to navigate CMMC, you’ll have difficulty connecting it to long-term security goals. | Low. Compliance is achieved for the audit but not tied into your broader security program. | High. We prioritize getting you compliant and ensuring CMMC is built directly into your security strategy and aligned with other frameworks (with ongoing support) |
Support During Audit | None. You will approach your C3PAO audit alone, hoping you meet requirements. | Medium. Some prep is likely offered, but guidance usually stops when audit starts. | High. We guide you step by step, prepare your team for interviews, thoroughly provide you with evidence, and support you through the audit. |
Cost Efficiency | Low. Appears to save you a lot, but failed audits, reworks, and missed contracts make it costly over time. | Medium. Project fees are usually high, and come with only limited support that ends with the audit. | High. We know the best and most efficient way to get you CMMC certified, provide ongoing advisory, and keep you compliant without wasted effort, ultimately saving you time and money. |
In just 30 minutes, we’ll help you cut through the confusion and show you exactly where you stand. You will walk away knowing your position, gaps that need to be addressed, a realistic timeline to prepare for your audit, and a partner who gets you certified and helps you stay compliant.
Only 1/3 of cyber insurance policies actually pay out in incidents. Most companies have cyber insurance policies that insure too little, or too much, and have absurdly low caps and silly exclusions.
To learn more about cyber insurance and determine if you have the right coverage for you, join us for a free vCISO Office Hours session on Tuesday, April 18 at 1 p.m. eastern time. Bring your questions!
Getting ready for your first SOC 2? This eBook is full of actionable advice to help you prepare for and succeed in your first SOC 2 audit.
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