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CMMC Assessment

Aprio is an authorized CMMC C3PAO conducting Level 2 assessments and serving as a joint assessor for Level 3 across the Defense Industrial Base.

Know your score.

Stay compliant.

Keep winning contracts.

Achieve CMMC compliance with Aprio, authorized CMMC C3PAO

For defense contractors in the DIB, compliance isn’t a one-time event. It’s an ongoing obligation that has to fit around real operations, contract timelines, and business priorities. The question is rarely whether to get compliant. It’s how to get there without the process becoming the disruption.

Companies in this space choose Aprio because we’re built for the pace and complexity of CMMC assessments across the Defense Industrial Base:

  • Advisors first. We started as advisors. Our assessors bring that same depth – understanding the intent behind CMMC standards, not just the rules.
  • Flexible by design. Onsite or remote. Your GRC tool or ours. We work around your operations, not the other way around.
  • Roots in DoD. We’ve been conducting DoD assessments since before CMMC existed. Our team understands the history and mission behind the requirements, not just the framework.
  • Authorized and accredited. When it’s time for the assessment, Aprio has the CMMC C3PAO authorization to stand behind the certificate—and the FedRAMP 3PAO accreditation to assess any federal cloud components that may also fall in scope.

Note: The Phase 2 requirement for C3PAO assessments in government solicitations is currently paused pending a DoD program review. Phase 1 self-assessment requirements and associated scores in SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) remain fully active. Prime contractors retain the right to require C3PAO assessments, and many are continuing to enforce them. Getting certified now remains the strategically sound position. Watch the Webinar: Phase 2 Paused

Our CMMC Assessment Services

Aprio supports defense contractors at every stage of the CMMC certification lifecycle:

  • CMMC Level 2 Mock/Self Assessment

    An evaluation of your current security posture against all 110 CMMC Level 2 practices. Identifies what is met, what isn’t, and what needs to be addressed before the formal assessment begins.

  • CMMC Level 1 Self-Assessment

    Support for the required Level 1 self-assessment that evaluates your program against the 15 required security controls and produces a report for Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) reporting.

  • POA&M Closeout Assessment

    For organizations with a Conditional CMMC status, this is the required closeout assessment that resolves open items and issues full CMMC certification.

  • CMMC Level 2 Annual Self-Assessment

    The annual CMMC Level 2 self-assessment that produces a report to support your annual SPRS entry and certification maintenance.

  • CMMC Level 3 Assessment

    For organizations pursuing CMMC Level 3, Aprio co-conducts the formal assessment with DIBCAC after Level 2 certification has been achieved and verified.

The Two Phases of Compliance

Your Phase: Documentation & Operationalization

The assessment reflects the work done before it starts. When your SSP is accurate and your team can speak to how CUI actually moves through your environment, the formal assessment moves faster and with fewer surprises.

Aprio’s Phase: Assessment & Certification

Once your documentation is in order and your controls are operating consistently, Aprio’s authorized C3PAO team conducts the formal assessment. Our assessors access evidence through your existing environment or GRC tool before validating your SSP, testing controls against all applicable NIST 800-171 practices, and issuing the certification.

Not all CMMC certifications are created equal.

The C3PAO behind your certification matters. These are the reasons defense contractors choose Aprio for CMMC:

We’re an Authorized C3PAO

Only an authorized C3PAO can conduct a CMMC assessment and issue certification. Aprio holds that authorization, and the FedRAMP 3PAO accreditation to cover your full federal compliance picture.

We See Across Frameworks

CMMC controls have meaningful overlap with FedRAMP, ISO 27001, NIST CSF, and SOC 2. Aprio maps controls at the evidence level to help you pursue multiple certifications at the same time. 

We’re A Partner, Not a Platform

CMMC certification isn’t a one-time event. Annual self-assessments, POA&M closeouts, and Level 3 positioning all require a firm that already knows your program. Aprio stays engaged long after the initial certification.

Pursuing multiple frameworks? CMMC controls overlap with:

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does CMMC certification take?

Timelines vary depending on your current NIST 800-171 posture, the complexity of your environment, and which certification level you’re pursuing. A readiness assessment is strongly recommended before any timeline can be scoped accurately. Organizations that arrive with a complete, accurate SSP and operationalized policies and procedures move through the formal assessment significantly faster.

What is CMMC, and why does it matter for defense contractors?

CMMC is the DoD’s framework for verifying that defense contractors can protect Federal Contract Information and Controlled Unclassified Information. It is a contract requirement for contractors and subcontractors in the Defense Industrial Base — not an optional standard.

What are the different CMMC certification levels?

CMMC has three levels:

  • Level 1 covers 15 foundational practices for organizations handling Federal Contract Information.
  • Level 2 requires compliance with all 110 NIST SP 800-171 practices and applies to most contractors handling CUI.
  • Level 3 adds requirements from NIST SP 800-172 for organizations managing highly sensitive CUI in critical national security programs.
Do I need Level 2 or Level 3 certification?

Level 2 applies to most contractors handling CUI. Level 3 is required for organizations managing more sensitive data or playing critical roles in national security programs. Your contract or prime contractor will specify which level applies.

How long does a typical CMMC implementation take?

Timelines may vary, but with Aprio’s proprietary CMMC Analyzer, clients with strong existing controls can reach audit readiness in as quickly as 60 days.

What is CMMC 2.0?

CMMC 2.0 is the current version of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification framework, simplified from the original CMMC model to three certification levels mapped directly to NIST SP 800-171 and NIST SP 800-172. It applies to defense contractors and subcontractors handling Federal Contract Information or Controlled Unclassified Information.

When does the 48 CFR rule take effect?

CMMC is being incorporated into Title 48 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the part of federal law that governs defense acquisition. Whether it applies to you depends on your specific contract — check your contract language or ask your contracting officer whether CMMC certification is currently required.

What happens if I don’t pass my C3PAO audit?

Organizations that receive a Conditional CMMC status can address open items through a POA&M process. Aprio can conduct the required POA&M Closeout Assessment once those items are resolved, resulting in full CMMC certification.

What is the difference between an SSP and a POA&M?

A System Security Plan documents how your organization implements each required security control — it’s the foundational evidence the assessor reviews. A Plan of Action and Milestones tracks any gaps identified during assessment and the steps and timeline to close them. You need an SSP before the assessment; a POA&M only comes into play if gaps are found.

Let’s talk CMMC.

Tell us where your program stands and which certification level your contracts require. We’ll tell you what your assessment looks like. Schedule a CMMC Assessment