CMMC Compliance Services & Consulting

Secure and expand your DoD business. Cycore's AI-powered compliance execution and expert oversight get you CMMC certified faster — so you win contracts, not audit battles.

CMMC cybersecurity maturity model overview

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What Is CMMC Compliance?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a Department of Defense (DoD) framework that requires defense contractors and subcontractors to demonstrate cybersecurity maturity before they can bid on or perform work under DoD contracts. CMMC was created to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) that flows through the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) — the network of companies that design, build, and support military systems and services.

Before CMMC, contractors self-attested to compliance with NIST SP 800-171 security requirements. That self-attestation model left significant gaps — the DoD estimated that adversarial exfiltration of data from the industrial base was costing the U.S. hundreds of billions of dollars annually. CMMC replaces self-attestation with a verified certification model: organizations must be assessed and certified at the appropriate CMMC level by an authorized third-party assessment organization (C3PAO) before contract awards.

The CMMC Final Rule (32 CFR and 48 CFR) is now in effect, and CMMC requirements are being phased into DoD solicitations. For contractors and subcontractors that handle CUI or FCI, CMMC certification is no longer a future concern — it's an active requirement that directly impacts your ability to win and retain defense contracts.

level 1

Foundational

Level 1 applies to contractors that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) but not Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It requires implementation of 17 basic safeguarding practices derived from FAR 52.204-21. Level 1 compliance is validated through annual self-assessment — no third-party certification is required. While the technical requirements are relatively straightforward, organizations must still document their practices and submit self-assessment scores to the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).

level 2

Advanced

Level 2 applies to contractors that handle CUI and is the level most commonly required in DoD solicitations. It aligns with the 110 security requirements from NIST SP 800-171 Revision 2 and requires either a self-assessment or a third-party assessment conducted by an authorized C3PAO, depending on the criticality of the CUI involved. For contracts requiring third-party assessment, your organization must achieve certification from a C3PAO before contract award. Level 2 is where the vast majority of CMMC compliance effort — and cost — is concentrated.

level 3

Expert

Level 3 applies to contractors handling the most sensitive CUI associated with critical programs and technologies. It incorporates the 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements plus a subset of enhanced security requirements from NIST SP 800-172. Level 3 assessments are conducted by the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC). Level 3 is reserved for a small number of contractors working on the DoD's highest-priority programs.

The Problem

The defense industrial base is under constant attack. Nation-state adversaries target contractors and subcontractors to exfiltrate sensitive information — technical data, research, operational plans, and supply chain intelligence — that undermines U.S. national security and erodes the competitive edge of American defense capabilities.

For individual contractors, the stakes are equally concrete. Without CMMC certification at the required level, you cannot bid on or be awarded DoD contracts that include CMMC requirements. Contracts already in progress may not be renewed. And prime contractors are increasingly flowing CMMC requirements down to subcontractors at every tier — meaning even small and mid-sized companies in the supply chain must demonstrate certified compliance.

The compliance challenge is real: NIST SP 800-171 contains 110 security requirements spanning 14 control families, from access control and incident response to system and communications protection. Implementing, documenting, and maintaining these controls requires specialized expertise that most defense contractors don't have in-house. Cycore's CMMC compliance services solve this — handling the implementation, documentation, and ongoing management so your team can focus on winning and executing contracts.

CMMC Gap Analysis and Assessment

Every engagement begins with a thorough assessment of your current cybersecurity posture against the NIST SP 800-171 requirements applicable to your target CMMC level. Cycore evaluates your existing policies, technical controls, documentation, and system security plan (SSP) to identify exactly where you meet requirements and where gaps exist. The assessment produces a prioritized remediation plan — a clear roadmap from current state to certification readiness.

Scope Definition and Boundary Analysis

Defining the boundaries of your CUI environment is one of the most critical steps in CMMC compliance — and one of the most commonly mishandled. An overly broad scope inflates cost and complexity. An overly narrow scope leaves CUI unprotected and jeopardizes your assessment. Cycore maps your CUI data flows, identifies every system, network segment, and personnel role that stores, processes, or transmits CUI, and defines your assessment boundary precisely. Where appropriate, we recommend enclave strategies and network segmentation to reduce scope and minimize the number of systems subject to CMMC requirements.

Security Controls Implementation

Based on the gap analysis, Cycore implements the technical, administrative, and physical controls required for your target CMMC level. For Level 2, this means addressing all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements across 14 control families — including access control, audit and accountability, configuration management, identification and authentication, incident response, maintenance, media protection, personnel security, physical protection, risk assessment, security assessment, system and communications protection, system and information integrity, and awareness and training.

We configure access controls and multi-factor authentication, implement encryption for CUI at rest and in transit, establish audit logging and monitoring, deploy vulnerability management processes, configure endpoint protection and media handling procedures, and build every other control your environment requires. Every implementation is tailored to your specific infrastructure, tools, and operations — not a generic template.

Policy, Procedure, and Documentation Preparation

CMMC assessments require extensive documentation — a System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), incident response plans, configuration management plans, security policies, and more. Cycore writes and customizes every document for your organization. Our documentation reflects your actual environment, practices, and controls — not boilerplate language that falls apart under assessor scrutiny.

We also prepare the SPRS score submission for Level 1 and Level 2 self-assessments, and compile the complete evidence package required for C3PAO-conducted Level 2 assessments.

CMMC Training and Awareness

NIST SP 800-171 requires security awareness training for all personnel with access to CUI, plus role-based training for personnel with security responsibilities. Cycore develops and delivers customized training programs — covering CUI handling, incident reporting, access control procedures, phishing recognition, and role-specific security responsibilities. Training completion is documented and tracked for assessment evidence.

Remediation Support

If you've already undergone a self-assessment or C3PAO assessment and received findings, Cycore remediates the identified gaps. We develop and execute a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) that addresses every finding, implements corrective controls, and prepares your organization for reassessment. For organizations that received conditional CMMC certification with open POA&M items, we close those items within the required 180-day timeline.Based on the gap analysis, Cycore implements the technical, administrative, and physical controls required for your target CMMC level. For Level 2, this means addressing all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements across 14 control families — including access control, audit and accountability, configuration management, identification and authentication, incident response, maintenance, media protection, personnel security, physical protection, risk assessment, security assessment, system and communications protection, system and information integrity, and awareness and training.

Ongoing Compliance Management

CMMC compliance isn't a one-time achievement. Controls must be continuously monitored. Policies must be reviewed and updated. Personnel training must be refreshed. Vulnerability scans and assessments must be conducted on schedule. And your SSP, POA&M, and supporting documentation must stay current as your environment evolves.

Cycore's ongoing management services handle all of this — continuous monitoring, control remediation, documentation maintenance, training delivery, and preparation for each reassessment cycle. Your CMMC program runs in the background, managed by Cycore, so your team stays focused on contract performance.

Phase 1

Compliance Assessment

We evaluate your current cybersecurity posture against NIST SP 800-171 requirements, map your CUI environment, and produce a detailed gap analysis with prioritized remediation recommendations. This assessment also includes SPRS score calculation so you understand exactly where you stand.

Three people in a meeting room, one standing by a whiteboard and two seated at a wooden table, engaged in discussion.

Phase 2

Scope Definition and Remediation Planning

We define your CUI boundary, identify scope reduction opportunities, and build a time-bound remediation plan with clear actions, assigned owners, and realistic milestones. This plan becomes your roadmap to certification readiness.

Three professionals in a discussion around a table with a laptop showing a circular chart and a label indicating 21 gaps identified.

Phase 3

Implementation and Documentation

Cycore implements controls, writes policies and procedures, prepares your SSP and POA&M, configures your GRC platform for CMMC-specific evidence collection and monitoring, and conducts workforce training. By the end of this phase, your environment meets NIST SP 800-171 requirements and your documentation is assessment-ready.

A woman in a brown blazer leans over to discuss with a man in a white shirt who is looking at a laptop and holding a clipboard with document; an overlay shows 'Risk Identified: 34'.

Phase 4

Pre-Assessment Validation and C3PAO Preparation

Before your formal assessment, Cycore conducts an internal validation — testing every control, verifying evidence completeness, and simulating the assessment process. We prepare the complete evidence package, coordinate C3PAO engagement, and ensure your team is ready for assessor interviews and system demonstrations.

Person pointing at a laptop screen with an overlay showing 'Statement of Applicability: Complete' and a checkbox.

Phase 5

Ongoing Compliance Management

After certification, Cycore provides continuous monitoring, evidence maintenance, policy updates, training delivery, and reassessment preparation. Your compliance program operates year-round, not just during assessment windows.

CMMC applies to any organization in the Defense Industrial Base that handles FCI or CUI under DoD contracts. This includes prime contractors that hold direct contracts with the DoD, subcontractors at any tier that receive or process CUI or FCI from a prime, defense manufacturers and suppliers, IT service providers and managed security providers supporting defense organizations, engineering and consulting firms performing work on DoD programs, and cloud service providers hosting DoD data.

If your contracts include DFARS 252.204-7012, DFARS 252.204-7021, or reference NIST SP 800-171, you have CMMC obligations. Prime contractors are required to flow down CMMC requirements to subcontractors that handle CUI — meaning even small businesses deep in the supply chain must achieve the appropriate certification level.

Secure Federal Contracts

CMMC certification is a prerequisite for contract award on solicitations that include CMMC requirements. Without certification, you're ineligible — regardless of your technical capabilities or past performance. Investing in CMMC protects your existing revenue and positions you to compete for new DoD work.

Protect Sensitive Information

The controls required for CMMC compliance — encryption, access controls, monitoring, incident response — don't just satisfy a regulatory requirement. They meaningfully reduce your risk of a breach involving CUI. For defense contractors, a breach doesn't just expose data — it can trigger investigation, loss of contracts, and debarment.

Build Customer and Partner Confidence

CMMC certification signals to prime contractors, the DoD, and other partners that your cybersecurity posture has been independently validated. It differentiates you from competitors who haven't achieved certification and streamlines the vendor evaluation process for primes building their supply chain.

Avoid Costly Non-Compliance

Contractors that fail to meet CMMC requirements face lost contract opportunities, potential false claims liability for misrepresenting their compliance status, and supply chain exclusion as primes select certified partners. The cost of non-compliance far exceeds the cost of building and maintaining a CMMC program.

Expert-Led Execution

Cycore's team includes CMMC compliance consultants with deep experience in NIST SP 800-171, DFARS requirements, and the DoD regulatory landscape. We've guided defense contractors through gap assessments, control implementation, and C3PAO preparation across a range of organizational sizes and contract types. You're working with specialists who understand both the technical requirements and the contracting implications.

AI-Powered Automation

Our AI agents automate evidence collection, control monitoring, and documentation maintenance — eliminating the manual grind that makes CMMC compliance so resource-intensive. Continuous automation means your evidence library stays current between assessments, and control failures are caught and addressed in real time rather than discovered during a formal assessment.

GRC Platform Integration

Cycore implements and manages CMMC compliance within Vanta, Drata, Secureframe, and Thoropass. We configure your platform for NIST SP 800-171 control mapping, CUI-specific evidence collection, and continuous monitoring — ensuring your compliance automation tool is purpose-built for the framework.

Fixed Monthly Fee

No surprise invoices or escalating hourly bills. Cycore's CMMC services are delivered at a predictable fixed monthly cost — making CMMC certification financially accessible for small and mid-sized contractors who previously considered it too expensive.

Multi-Framework Expertise

Many defense contractors also need SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, or other certifications for their commercial customers. Cycore manages multi-framework compliance programs from a single engagement — mapping overlapping controls once and ensuring each framework's unique requirements are individually addressed. This reduces total compliance burden and cost.

What Our Customers Say

“Being in the healthcare space, we take security and privacy seriously. Cycore's services allowed us to have the security expertise at hand when it mattered the most.”

Tahseen Omar

Chief Operating Officer / Anterior

“Security questionnaires were a hassle for our team to turn over quickly in our sales cyles. Cycore has managed to make this process more efficient.”

Phoebe Miller

Head of Business Operations / ReadMe

“It easy to see why the team at Cycore is highly praised. They understood our company needs and executed well.”

Sherin Davis

Chief Product Officer / GoLocker

“Cycore saved us 120+ hours on SOC 2 prep — our audit passed with zero issues.”

Ruben Donin

CEO

CMMC Compliance FAQs

What is CMMC certification?

CMMC — Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification — is a DoD framework that requires defense contractors and subcontractors to achieve a verified level of cybersecurity maturity before being awarded DoD contracts. Certification is earned through self-assessment (Level 1 and some Level 2) or third-party assessment by an authorized C3PAO (Level 2 and Level 3).

Which CMMC level do I need?

The required level is determined by the type of information you handle. Level 1 applies to contractors handling FCI only. Level 2 applies to contractors handling CUI and is the most commonly required level. Level 3 applies to contractors working on the DoD's most critical programs with the most sensitive CUI. Your contract solicitation will specify the required CMMC level.

What happens if a contractor isn't CMMC certified?

Contractors without the required CMMC certification are ineligible for contract award on solicitations that include CMMC requirements. Existing contracts may not be renewed. Additionally, contractors that misrepresent their compliance status risk false claims liability under the False Claims Act.

Is CMMC replacing NIST SP 800-171?

No. CMMC Level 2 is built on the 110 security requirements from NIST SP 800-171. CMMC doesn't replace these requirements — it adds a verification and certification mechanism on top of them. Organizations must still implement NIST SP 800-171 controls; CMMC ensures they've actually done so through assessed certification rather than self-attestation alone.

How long does the CMMC Level 2 certification process take?

Timelines vary based on organizational size, existing maturity, and the scope of CUI handling. With Cycore, most organizations can achieve assessment readiness in three to six months. The C3PAO assessment itself typically takes two to four weeks. Organizations with significant existing controls may move faster; those building from scratch should plan for the longer end.

What documentation is needed before starting a CMMC Level 2 certification?

Key documents include a System Security Plan (SSP) describing your CUI environment and implemented controls, a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) for any open remediation items, an incident response plan, a configuration management plan, security policies and procedures, and evidence of workforce training. Cycore prepares all required documentation as part of every engagement.

Who performs CMMC audits?

Level 1 and some Level 2 assessments are conducted as self-assessments by the contractor. Level 2 third-party assessments are conducted by CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) authorized by the Cyber AB. Level 3 assessments are conducted by DCMA DIBCAC.

Does CMMC only apply to DoD?

Currently, CMMC is a DoD program. However, other federal agencies are exploring similar frameworks, and the security practices required for CMMC — based on NIST SP 800-171 — are increasingly expected across the broader federal contracting landscape. Achieving CMMC certification positions your organization well for future federal cybersecurity requirements beyond the DoD.

What's the difference between CMMC readiness services and certification services?

Readiness services — like those Cycore provides — prepare your organization for the formal assessment. This includes gap analysis, control implementation, documentation, training, and pre-assessment validation. Certification services refer to the formal assessment itself, which must be conducted by an authorized C3PAO. Cycore prepares you for the assessment; the C3PAO conducts it and issues the certification.

Can Cycore support cloud-based CMMC compliance?

Yes. Many defense contractors host CUI in cloud environments — particularly Microsoft GCC High, AWS GovCloud, and Azure Government. Cycore evaluates your cloud architecture against NIST SP 800-171 requirements, ensures your configuration meets CMMC standards within the shared responsibility model, and documents cloud-specific controls for your SSP and assessment evidence.

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CMMC Compliance Services & Consulting

What Is CMMC Compliance?