CMMC 2.0 Compliance Services

CMMC 2.0 Compliance for Defense Contractors

Petronella Technology Group, Inc. is a CMMC Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) with Certified Registered Practitioners on staff. We deliver end-to-end CMMC preparation for defense contractors throughout Raleigh-Durham and the Research Triangle: gap assessments, SSP development, technical remediation, CUI enclave deployment, and C3PAO assessment readiness. PTG handles all consulting and ongoing managed security. We refer formal assessments to authorized C3PAO partners, maintaining the separation of duties required by the Cyber AB.

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BBB A+ Since 2003 | Founded 2002 | 2,500+ Clients | CMMC RPO

Gap Assessment

Control-by-control evaluation against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. You receive an accurate SPRS score, a risk-prioritized remediation roadmap, and a clear cost estimate for achieving full compliance.

Remediation

Hands-on implementation of technical, administrative, and physical controls. SSP development, POA&M management, policy creation, CUI enclave deployment, and personnel training to close every gap.

C3PAO Readiness

Mock assessments that mirror the formal C3PAO evaluation. We test every control, validate documentation, prepare your team, and resolve deficiencies so you pass the official assessment on the first attempt.

Ongoing Compliance

Continuous monitoring, quarterly compliance reviews, vulnerability management, and SSP updates throughout your three-year certification period. We prepare you for triennial reassessment before it arrives.

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PTG CMMC 2.0 Overview

What Is CMMC 2.0?

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a Department of Defense (DoD) framework designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Federal Contract Information (FCI) across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Published as the final rule under 32 CFR Part 170 in October 2024, CMMC 2.0 streamlined the original five-level model into three levels that align directly with existing NIST standards. The framework adds mandatory third-party assessments for contractors handling sensitive defense data, replacing the voluntary self-attestation model under DFARS 252.204-7012 that was not producing adequate cybersecurity postures across the supply chain.

Every organization that does business with the DoD, whether as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or supplier, must meet the appropriate CMMC level to be eligible for contract awards. CMMC requirements are being phased into DoD contracts beginning in 2025, with full inclusion across all applicable contracts by 2028. The DoD created CMMC because adversaries continue to target the DIB, and the consequences of inaction are severe: contract ineligibility, False Claims Act liability under the DoJ's Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, and the national security impact of CUI theft. For defense contractors in the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle, early certification provides a competitive advantage over organizations that have delayed preparation.

Petronella Technology Group, Inc. has prepared defense contractors for CMMC compliance since the framework was first announced. Led by Craig Petronella, a CMMC Registered Practitioner, Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner (#604180), MIT-certified AI professional, and Amazon #1 best-selling author of "The Ultimate Guide to CMMC," PTG brings more than 23 years of cybersecurity expertise to every engagement. PTG's approach combines AI-powered compliance automation with hands-on technical implementation, using our proprietary patented security tools and on-premise AI infrastructure to accelerate assessments, automate control mapping, and continuously monitor security posture. No other firm in the Triangle has this capability.

As a Registered Practitioner Organization, PTG handles all consulting, gap assessments, remediation, and ongoing managed security. PTG does not perform C3PAO assessments; that role is handled by separate, authorized assessment organizations. This separation ensures objectivity in the certification process and eliminates any conflict of interest. When you are ready for your formal assessment, PTG refers you to trusted C3PAO partners and supports you through the entire evaluation.

CMMC 2.0 Levels Explained

CMMC 2.0 organizes cybersecurity requirements into three maturity levels, each aligned with specific NIST standards and assessment types. The level required for your organization depends on the sensitivity of the information you handle under DoD contracts.

LEVEL 1 - FOUNDATIONAL

17 Practices | Self-Assessment

Protects Federal Contract Information (FCI). Requires implementation of 17 basic cybersecurity practices from FAR 52.204-21. Annual self-assessment is permitted. This level applies to contractors that handle FCI but do not process, store, or transmit CUI. Most small suppliers in the defense supply chain start here.

LEVEL 2 - ADVANCED

110 Requirements | C3PAO Assessment

Protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Requires full implementation of all 110 security requirements from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2. For contracts involving critical national security information, a triennial third-party assessment by an authorized C3PAO is required. Some Level 2 programs allow self-assessment. This is the level most defense contractors need. Learn more about Level 2 certification.

LEVEL 3 - EXPERT

800-172 Controls | Government-Led

Protects CUI against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Builds on Level 2 with additional requirements from NIST SP 800-172. Triennial government-led assessments by DIBCAC are required. This level is reserved for the highest-priority programs involving the most sensitive categories of defense information.

PTG CMMC Compliance Services

Gap Assessment and SPRS Score Validation
Our CMMC gap analysis evaluates your current implementation of every security requirement in NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2. For each of the 110 requirements, we determine whether the control is fully implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented, and we document the specific evidence that supports our determination. We review technical configurations, interview key personnel, inspect physical security measures, examine policies and procedures, and analyze audit logs. The output is a detailed gap report with an accurate SPRS score, risk-prioritized remediation roadmap, and cost estimate for achieving full compliance. Under the DoJ's Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, submitting an inaccurate SPRS score carries False Claims Act liability. Our assessment gives you a score you can submit with confidence. PTG's AI-powered compliance tools accelerate this process by automating control mapping and evidence collection across your environment.
System Security Plan and POA&M Development
The System Security Plan is the single most important document in your CMMC assessment. C3PAO assessors use the SSP as their roadmap, reviewing each of the 110 requirements to confirm that your documented implementation matches the objective evidence they observe. A weak or incomplete SSP is one of the most common reasons organizations struggle during assessments. Our team develops comprehensive SSPs that describe every control implementation in detail, identify responsible personnel, reference supporting policies and procedures, and map each requirement to the specific technologies, configurations, and processes that satisfy it. We also develop your Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), documenting any requirements not yet fully implemented with specific milestones, responsible parties, and completion dates. Our SSP and POA&M documentation follows the Cyber AB's recommended formats and has been validated through multiple successful C3PAO assessments.
Technical Remediation and Control Implementation
Closing gaps identified in your assessment requires hands-on technical implementation. Our engineers deploy and configure the security controls required to satisfy NIST SP 800-171 requirements. Technical implementations include multi-factor authentication across all systems accessing CUI, FIPS 140-2 validated encryption for data at rest and in transit, Endpoint Detection and Response on every endpoint within the assessment boundary, SIEM for centralized log collection and correlation, network segmentation isolating CUI processing from general corporate infrastructure, vulnerability scanning and patch management automation, and secure baseline configurations for all operating systems and applications. Beyond technology, we develop the administrative controls that assessors frequently cite as deficient: formal security policies aligned to each control family, incident response plans with documented escalation procedures, security awareness training programs with annual testing, and personnel screening procedures. PTG's managed security services ensure these controls remain operational after deployment.
CUI Enclave Deployment
For many defense contractors, the most efficient path to CMMC certification involves deploying a purpose-built CUI enclave: a secure, isolated environment specifically designed for processing, storing, and transmitting Controlled Unclassified Information. By consolidating all CUI handling into a dedicated enclave, you dramatically reduce your assessment boundary. Instead of implementing all 110 controls across your entire corporate network, you focus compliance efforts on the enclave while maintaining reasonable security practices on your general infrastructure. Our CUI enclave solutions leverage FedRAMP Moderate-authorized cloud platforms combined with virtual desktop infrastructure, providing employees with a secure workspace for CUI activities isolated from day-to-day corporate computing. Enclaves include FIPS 140-2 encryption, MFA, DLP controls, and comprehensive audit logging built in from the ground up. This approach typically reduces implementation timelines by 40-60% compared to hardening an entire corporate network.
Mock Assessment and C3PAO Readiness
Before you engage a C3PAO for your formal assessment, we conduct a thorough readiness review that simulates the actual assessment process. Our CMMC Registered Practitioners evaluate your environment using the same methodology and scoring criteria that C3PAO assessors employ. We review your SSP, interview personnel, inspect technical configurations, examine physical security controls, and validate objective evidence for each requirement. Any deficiencies identified during the mock assessment are remediated before you schedule your formal C3PAO engagement. We also prepare your personnel for the assessment experience, coaching key staff on how to respond to assessor questions, organizing evidence packages for efficient review, and ensuring your environment accurately reflects the controls documented in your SSP. PTG does not perform C3PAO assessments; we refer you to authorized assessment organizations and support you through the formal evaluation.
Ongoing Managed Security and Certification Maintenance
CMMC certification is valid for three years, but maintaining compliance requires ongoing effort. Your organization must affirm annually that all controls remain operational, and any material changes to your environment must be reflected in updated documentation. Our managed security service tracks your security posture in real time, alerting you to configuration drift, emerging vulnerabilities, policy violations, and control degradation that could compromise your certification status. We conduct quarterly compliance reviews, update your SSP and supporting documentation as your environment evolves, manage vulnerability scanning and patch management programs, and prepare you for triennial reassessment. For organizations that also maintain HIPAA, SOC 2, or PCI DSS compliance, our unified monitoring approach tracks controls that satisfy multiple frameworks simultaneously, eliminating redundant effort and reducing total compliance cost.

The PTG CMMC Compliance Process

1

Assess

We define your CUI assessment boundary, map data flows, and conduct a control-by-control evaluation against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. You receive a detailed gap report with your accurate SPRS score, risk-prioritized remediation roadmap, and transparent cost estimate. This phase typically takes 4-6 weeks depending on organizational complexity.

2

Remediate

Our engineers implement the technical, administrative, and physical controls required to close every gap. We deploy CUI enclaves, configure security infrastructure, develop policies and procedures, build your SSP and POA&M, and train your personnel. Remediation timelines range from 3-12 months depending on gap count and complexity.

3

Validate

Before engaging a C3PAO, we conduct a comprehensive mock assessment that mirrors the formal evaluation. We test every control, review all documentation, interview key personnel, and validate objective evidence. Any deficiencies are remediated and your team is fully prepared for the assessment experience.

4

Certify

We refer you to an authorized C3PAO partner for formal assessment and support you through the evaluation. After certification, our continuous monitoring service maintains your compliance posture through the three-year certification period, keeping your SSP current and preparing you for triennial reassessment.

CMMC Compliance Resources

Explore PTG's complete library of CMMC and related compliance resources. Each page provides in-depth guidance for defense contractors navigating certification requirements.

CMMC Levels Explained

Detailed breakdown of all three CMMC 2.0 levels, including requirements, assessment types, and which level your organization needs.

Gap Assessment Services

How PTG conducts CMMC gap assessments, what the process involves, and how to prepare for your initial evaluation.

Level 2 Certification

Complete guide to achieving CMMC Level 2 certification, including all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements and C3PAO assessment preparation.

Remediation Services

Hands-on technical remediation, policy development, and control implementation to close compliance gaps and prepare for assessment.

C3PAO Assessment Guide

What to expect during a C3PAO assessment, how to select an assessor, and how PTG prepares you to pass on the first attempt.

CMMC to NIST Mapping

Control-by-control mapping between CMMC 2.0 levels and NIST SP 800-171/800-172 requirements for defense contractors.

NIST SP 800-171

The foundational 110-control set for protecting CUI that directly maps to CMMC Level 2 requirements.

NIST 800-53 vs 800-171

How the master control catalog (800-53) relates to the CUI-focused subset (800-171) that drives CMMC Level 2.

DFARS Compliance

The Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement that mandates CMMC certification for defense contractors handling CUI.

ITAR Compliance

International Traffic in Arms Regulations compliance for defense contractors handling export-controlled technical data.

SPRS Score Calculator

Calculate your Supplier Performance Risk System score and understand where your organization stands against NIST SP 800-171 requirements.

Framework Comparison

Side-by-side comparison of CMMC, NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA, and other compliance frameworks for organizations subject to multiple standards.

CMMC Compliance FAQs

What is the difference between CMMC 1.0 and CMMC 2.0?
CMMC 2.0 streamlined the original model from five levels to three, eliminated CMMC-unique practices and processes, and aligned directly with NIST SP 800-171 (Level 2) and NIST SP 800-172 (Level 3). It also allows self-assessment for Level 1 and some Level 2 programs, reducing cost and complexity for smaller contractors. The three-level structure simplifies the certification pathway while maintaining rigorous security requirements for organizations handling CUI.
Who needs CMMC certification?
Any organization that processes, stores, or transmits Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as part of a DoD contract needs the appropriate CMMC level. This includes prime contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers throughout the defense supply chain. Even small machine shops or IT vendors that touch FCI or CUI in the course of a DoD contract must achieve at least Level 1. Organizations handling CUI will need Level 2, which requires all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls.
How long does it take to prepare for a CMMC assessment?
Preparation timelines depend on your current cybersecurity maturity and the complexity of your environment. Organizations starting from scratch should plan for 12-18 months. Those with existing NIST SP 800-171 implementations may need 6-9 months to close remaining gaps and prepare documentation. The formal C3PAO assessment itself typically takes 3-5 days on-site depending on organizational size. Organizations deploying a CUI enclave solution can often compress preparation timelines by 40-60% compared to hardening an entire corporate network. PTG recommends beginning preparation at least 12 months before you anticipate needing certification.
What is a C3PAO?
A CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) is an entity authorized by the Cyber AB to conduct official CMMC Level 2 assessments. C3PAOs employ CMMC Certified Assessors (CCAs) who evaluate your organization against all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. The organization preparing you for the assessment (like Petronella Technology Group, Inc. as an RPO) cannot also serve as your C3PAO. This separation of preparation and assessment ensures objectivity in the certification process. When selecting a C3PAO, consider their experience with organizations of your size and industry, their scheduling availability, and their reputation among organizations that have completed assessments.
Is PTG a C3PAO or an RPO?
Petronella Technology Group, Inc. is a CMMC Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) with CMMC Registered Practitioners (RPs) on staff. As an RPO, PTG helps organizations prepare for their CMMC assessment through gap analysis, remediation, SSP development, and mock assessments. PTG does not conduct formal C3PAO assessments. This separation is intentional and required by the Cyber AB to ensure no conflict of interest between the organization that prepares you and the organization that formally evaluates your compliance. When you are ready, PTG refers you to authorized C3PAO partners for your formal assessment.
What happens if I fail my CMMC assessment?
If your organization does not meet the requirements during the C3PAO assessment, you will not receive certification and cannot bid on contracts requiring that CMMC level. CMMC 2.0 does allow conditional certification with a limited number of Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) items, giving you 180 days to close specific gaps. However, not all requirements are POA&M-eligible, and excessive deficiencies result in a failed assessment requiring remediation and a complete reassessment at additional cost. This is why PTG conducts thorough mock assessments before you engage a C3PAO: we identify and resolve deficiencies before they become formal assessment findings.
How much does CMMC certification cost?
Total cost depends on your organization's size, current security maturity, assessment boundary scope, and whether you deploy a CUI enclave or harden existing infrastructure. Costs include gap assessment, technical remediation, SSP and policy development, mock assessment, and the C3PAO assessment fee itself. The DoD has estimated average C3PAO assessment costs for small organizations at approximately $37,000-$51,000, but total preparation costs including remediation typically range from $100,000 to $500,000+ depending on starting maturity. CUI enclave solutions can significantly reduce total cost by narrowing the assessment boundary. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. provides detailed, transparent cost estimates during our initial scoping engagement. Visit our compliance packages page for service tier details.
Can I use cloud services to reduce my CMMC scope?
Yes. Using a FedRAMP Moderate (or equivalent) cloud service provider for CUI processing and storage can significantly reduce your CMMC Level 2 assessment boundary. When CUI is processed in a FedRAMP-authorized environment, many of the 110 security requirements are inherited from the cloud provider rather than implemented by your organization. However, you remain responsible for controls the cloud provider does not fully address, such as access management, security awareness training, incident response, and media protection. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. deploys CUI enclave solutions on FedRAMP-authorized platforms like Microsoft GCC High, allowing your team to access CUI through secure virtual desktops while keeping CUI processing isolated from your general corporate network. This approach can reduce your assessment boundary by 40-60%.
When do I need CMMC certification?
The DoD is phasing CMMC requirements into contracts over a multi-year rollout. Phase 1 (2025) introduced Level 1 and Level 2 self-assessments. Phase 2 (2026) requires Level 2 C3PAO assessments for contracts involving critical national security CUI. Phase 3 (2027) expands Level 2 C3PAO requirements and introduces Level 3 government-led assessments. Phase 4 (2028) requires full CMMC inclusion in all applicable contracts. Organizations that wait until CMMC appears in a specific solicitation risk losing the contract because preparation takes 6-18 months. Prime contractors are also increasingly requiring CMMC readiness from subcontractors ahead of the formal DoD timeline.
What is the SPRS score and why does it matter?
The Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score is your organization's self-assessed level of compliance with NIST SP 800-171. Scores range from -203 to 110, with each unimplemented requirement carrying a weighted penalty based on its security impact. Since November 2020, all DoD contractors handling CUI must submit their SPRS score, and contracting officers review these scores during source selection. Under the DoJ's Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, submitting an inaccurate SPRS score can trigger False Claims Act liability, including treble damages. Your SPRS score is not CMMC certification; it is a self-assessment that precedes the formal C3PAO evaluation. PTG helps organizations calculate an honest score and systematically improve it through targeted remediation. Use our SPRS Score Calculator to estimate your current standing.
Training Academy

CMMC 2.0 Implementation Bootcamp

Get audit-ready with SSP, POA&M, and policy templates. Complete DoD compliance preparation for your team.

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Recommended Reading: Read our complete CMMC Compliance Guide for 2026, covering all three CMMC levels, the full implementation timeline, and what defense contractors need to know about C3PAO assessments.

Start Your CMMC Compliance Journey

Every month you delay CMMC preparation is a month closer to contracts you cannot bid on. Petronella Technology Group, Inc.'s CMMC Registered Practitioners are ready to assess your current posture, define your assessment boundary, build your remediation roadmap, and prepare you for a successful C3PAO assessment. Schedule a free consultation today.

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