Get CMMC certified faster with Alluvionic’s trusted C3PAO assessment support.
Achieving Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2 is a crucial step for defense contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Since CMMC 2.0 requires organizations seeking certification (OSCs) to undergo an assessment by a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), preparation is key to passing on the first attempt.
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely seen CMMC Level 2 requirements in recent RFIs and are starting to worry. The clock is ticking, and you’re wondering:
These are valid concerns. The reality is that preparing for a C3PAO assessment takes at least 9-12 months—and many companies need even longer. If you haven’t spent the last year implementing NIST SP 800-171 controls, you’re probably not ready for certification yet.
The good news? You don’t have to figure this out alone. Alluvionic’s CMMC readiness assessment gives you a clear picture of where you stand today—and exactly what needs to be done before facing a C3PAO.
If you’ve already conducted a gap analysis, you’re on the right path. If not, that’s your first step—identifying areas where your cybersecurity practices fall short of NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC Level 2 requirements. Alluvionic’s CMMC gap analysis services provide a clear roadmap to compliance, helping you fix weaknesses before your official assessment.
Before diving into preparation steps, let’s clarify what a C3PAO is and why their role is so critical to your CMMC journey.
A Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) is an independent firm accredited by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body (Cyber AB) to conduct official CMMC Level 2 assessments. If your organization processes, stores, or transmits Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you will need to pass a C3PAO audit to continue working with the Department of Defense (DoD).
What a C3PAO Does:
A C3PAO is the final checkpoint between you and CMMC certification. If you aren’t fully prepared before engaging with them, you risk failing the audit—which means lost time, lost contracts, and a painful restart of the process.
This is where Alluvionic comes in.
Before engaging with a C3PAO, you need an experienced partner who can assess your readiness, close security gaps, and ensure you pass the first time. That’s why working with a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) like Alluvionic can make all the difference.
If you’re new to CMMC, you might be asking:
“Do we need a C3PAO, an RPO, or both?”
The answer depends on where you are in your compliance journey.
If you attempt a C3PAO audit before you’re fully prepared, you’ll likely fail—leading to lost time, wasted money, and more stress.
The smarter move? Partner with Alluvionic first. We conduct a CMMC readiness assessment to evaluate where you are today, fix any deficiencies, and ensure you have everything in place before engaging a C3PAO.
Your CMMC Level 2 assessment will cover 14 security domains, with a strong focus on access control, audit logs, incident response, and data protection.
What to Expect:
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We analyze where you are vs. where you need to be, identifying all security gaps.
An Alluvionic CMMC readiness assessment helps you identify deficiencies before your assessment. Here’s how to use the findings:
Our team creates an actionable plan to close gaps, document policies, and prepare for certification.
We work alongside your team to implement security controls, train employees, and organize documentation.
We’ll help you:
We simulate the C3PAO experience so you know what to expect—and ensure you’re truly ready. Simulating the C3PAO assessment allows you to uncover any remaining weaknesses. Alluvionic offers readiness reviews that mirror official assessments, ensuring your team is fully prepared.
Once we’re confident you’ll pass, we introduce you to our trusted C3PAO partners. Additionally, we’ll provide you with a free C3PAO evaluation tool to help you select the right assessor for your organization.
CMMC compliance is complex, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Alluvionic, a Cyber-AB Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO), provides tailored support, from gap analysis to mock assessments, ensuring a seamless path to CMMC Level 2 certification.
Take Action Today!
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Whether you need project management, process improvement, cybersecurity, product development, training, or government services, Alluvionic has the expertise to provide Peace of Mind and Project Assurance®.
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