CMMC Level 2 Certification

CMMC Level 2 Certification Services for Defense Contractors

CMMC Level 2 certification requires full implementation of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 security controls and a triennial third-party assessment by an authorized C3PAO. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. delivers end-to-end CMMC Level 2 preparation — gap assessments, SSP development, POA&M management, technical remediation, CUI enclave deployment, and C3PAO assessment readiness — so your organization achieves certification and maintains eligibility for DoD contracts involving Controlled Unclassified Information.

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110 Controls Implemented

Complete implementation of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 security requirements across 14 control families, documented in a comprehensive System Security Plan that satisfies C3PAO assessors.

CUI Protection

Purpose-built secure enclaves that isolate Controlled Unclassified Information processing, reduce your assessment boundary, and demonstrate FIPS 140-2 validated encryption at rest and in transit.

C3PAO Assessment Ready

Pre-assessment readiness reviews that simulate the formal C3PAO evaluation process, identifying and resolving deficiencies before your assessors arrive so you pass the first time.

SPRS Score Optimization

Systematic remediation that raises your Supplier Performance Risk System score toward the maximum of 110, demonstrating compliance maturity to DoD contracting officers and prime contractors.

Understanding CMMC Level 2 Certification Requirements

CMMC Level 2, designated as "Advanced" under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 framework, is the certification level required for defense contractors that process, store, or transmit Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on behalf of the Department of Defense. Published under 32 CFR Part 170 in October 2024 and phased into DoD solicitations beginning in 2025, CMMC Level 2 requires organizations to implement all 110 security requirements defined in NIST Special Publication 800-171 Revision 2. For contracts involving critical national security information, a triennial third-party assessment conducted by a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) authorized by the Cyber AB is mandatory. Some Level 2 programs permit self-assessment, but organizations handling the most sensitive categories of CUI must demonstrate compliance through an independent external evaluation. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. has been preparing defense contractors throughout the Raleigh-Durham Research Triangle for CMMC certification since the framework was first announced, and our CMMC Registered Practitioners bring deep expertise to every engagement.

The 110 security requirements span 14 control families: Access Control (AC), Awareness and Training (AT), Audit and Accountability (AU), Configuration Management (CM), Identification and Authentication (IA), Incident Response (IR), Maintenance (MA), Media Protection (MP), Personnel Security (PS), Physical Protection (PE), Risk Assessment (RA), Security Assessment (CA), System and Communications Protection (SC), and System and Information Integrity (SI). Each requirement specifies a distinct security capability that must be implemented, documented in your System Security Plan (SSP), and supported by objective evidence during the C3PAO assessment. Requirements range from technical controls such as enforcing multi-factor authentication for all network access and encrypting CUI with FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography to administrative controls including security awareness training, background screening for personnel with CUI access, and documented incident response procedures. The breadth of these requirements means that achieving Level 2 is not simply a technology project — it demands a coordinated effort across people, processes, and technology throughout your organization.

One of the most critical elements of CMMC Level 2 preparation is accurately defining your CUI assessment boundary. The assessment boundary determines which systems, networks, facilities, and personnel are in scope for the C3PAO evaluation. A poorly defined boundary can dramatically increase complexity and cost, as assessors must evaluate every system within scope against all 110 requirements. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. works with your team to identify exactly where CUI enters your environment, how it flows through your systems, where it is stored, and who has access. We then architect solutions that minimize the assessment boundary through network segmentation, CUI enclave deployment, and data flow optimization. By isolating CUI processing in a controlled environment, we reduce the number of systems that must meet the full 110-control requirement set, lowering both implementation cost and assessment complexity while strengthening your actual security posture.

The System Security Plan is the foundational document for your CMMC Level 2 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 during the assessment. 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), which documents any requirements not yet fully implemented and your specific plan and timeline for closing those gaps. Under CMMC 2.0, organizations may receive conditional certification with a limited number of POA&M items, provided they close those items within 180 days of the assessment, but not all requirements are eligible for POA&M treatment, and assessors can exercise judgment about whether your remediation plan is realistic.

The Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score is your organization's quantitative self-assessment of compliance with NIST SP 800-171. Scores range from -203 (no controls implemented) to 110 (all controls fully implemented). Since November 2020, DFARS clause 252.204-7019 requires contractors to submit their current SPRS score, and contracting officers can view it before making award decisions. An inaccurate SPRS score carries serious legal risk under the Department of Justice's Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative, which applies the False Claims Act to cybersecurity compliance representations. Petronella Technology Group, Inc. conducts thorough self-assessment reviews that validate your current SPRS score, identify misrepresented or over-reported controls, and develop a remediation roadmap that systematically closes gaps to raise your score toward 110 before the formal C3PAO assessment. This pre-assessment accuracy protects your organization from False Claims Act liability while demonstrating genuine compliance maturity.

Our CMMC Level 2 Certification Services

CUI Scoping & Assessment Boundary Definition

Accurate CUI scoping is the foundation of an efficient CMMC Level 2 engagement. We identify every system, application, network segment, and facility where CUI is processed, stored, or transmitted. We map CUI data flows from ingestion to destruction, catalog all personnel with CUI access, and document the external systems and services that handle CUI on your behalf. This scoping exercise defines your assessment boundary — the perimeter within which every system must satisfy all 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. Organizations that skip this step or scope too broadly end up with unnecessarily large boundaries that increase cost, complexity, and assessment duration. Organizations that scope too narrowly risk assessment findings for systems handling CUI outside the documented boundary. Our scoping methodology follows the Cyber AB's assessment guide and produces the boundary documentation that C3PAO assessors require at the start of every assessment.

Gap Analysis Against All 110 NIST SP 800-171 Controls

Our CMMC Level 2 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 your technical configurations, interview key personnel, inspect physical security measures, examine policies and procedures, and analyze audit logs and monitoring data. The output is a detailed gap report that identifies every deficiency, assigns a risk rating based on exploitability and impact, maps each gap to the corresponding NIST requirement, and recommends specific remediation actions. This gap analysis serves as the blueprint for your remediation project and produces an accurate SPRS score that you can submit with confidence. For organizations already working toward NIST 800-171 compliance, our gap analysis builds on your existing work rather than starting from scratch.

System Security Plan & POA&M Development

The System Security Plan is the single most important document in your CMMC Level 2 assessment. We develop a comprehensive SSP that describes your assessment boundary, system architecture, data flows, and the implementation of each security requirement in sufficient detail for C3PAO assessors to validate compliance. Each requirement entry identifies the responsible personnel, references the supporting policies and procedures, describes the technical implementation including specific configurations and tools, and lists the objective evidence available for assessor review. We also develop your Plan of Action and Milestones, documenting any requirements not yet fully implemented with specific milestones, responsible parties, and completion dates. Under CMMC 2.0 rules, a limited number of requirements may be addressed through POA&Ms for conditional certification, but requirements designated as "high-value" or related to critical security functions must be fully implemented before the assessment. Our SSP and POA&M documentation follows the Cyber AB's recommended formats and has been validated through multiple successful C3PAO assessments.

Technical Control Implementation & Remediation

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, Security Information and Event Management for centralized log collection and correlation, network segmentation isolating CUI processing from general corporate infrastructure, vulnerability scanning and patch management automation, secure baseline configurations for all operating systems and applications, and mobile device management for any mobile endpoints with CUI access. Beyond technology, we develop the administrative controls that assessors frequently cite as deficient: formal security policies and procedures aligned to each control family, incident response plans with documented escalation procedures, security awareness training programs with annual testing, and personnel screening procedures for all individuals with CUI access.

CUI Enclave & Secure Environment Deployment

For many defense contractors, the most efficient path to CMMC Level 2 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 and demonstrating 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 that is isolated from their day-to-day corporate computing environment. Enclaves include FIPS 140-2 encryption, MFA, DLP controls, comprehensive audit logging, and all other technical requirements built in from the ground up. This approach typically reduces implementation timelines by 40-60% compared to hardening an entire corporate network to CMMC Level 2 standards.

C3PAO Assessment Preparation & Mock Assessments

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 assessment methodology and scoring criteria that C3PAO assessors employ. We review your SSP, interview personnel, inspect technical configurations, examine physical security controls, and validate the objective evidence available for each requirement. Any deficiencies identified during the mock assessment are remediated before you schedule your formal C3PAO engagement, minimizing the risk of assessment failure, conditional certifications with excessive POA&M items, or costly reassessments. 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. Our mock assessment service gives organizations confidence that they will pass the formal assessment on the first attempt.

Continuous Monitoring & Certification Maintenance

CMMC Level 2 certification is valid for three years, but maintaining compliance requires ongoing effort throughout the certification period. Your organization must affirm annually that all controls documented in your SSP remain operational, and any material changes to your environment must be reflected in updated documentation. Our continuous monitoring 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 your vulnerability scanning and patch management programs, and prepare you for the triennial reassessment. For organizations that also maintain HIPAA or SOC 2 compliance, our unified monitoring approach tracks controls that satisfy multiple frameworks simultaneously, eliminating redundant effort and reducing total compliance cost.

Our CMMC Level 2 Certification Process

CUI Scoping & Gap Assessment

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 cost estimate for achieving full compliance. This phase typically takes 4-6 weeks depending on organizational complexity.

Remediation & Implementation

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 on their security responsibilities. Remediation timelines range from 3-12 months depending on the number and complexity of gaps identified.

Mock Assessment & Readiness Validation

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

C3PAO Assessment Support & Ongoing Compliance

We support you through the formal C3PAO assessment, ensuring assessors have access to all required documentation and evidence. After certification, our continuous monitoring service maintains your compliance posture through the three-year certification period, keeping your SSP current, managing vulnerability scanning, and preparing you for triennial reassessment.

Why Defense Contractors Choose Petronella Technology Group, Inc. for CMMC Level 2

CMMC Registered Practitioner Organization

Petronella Technology Group, Inc. is an authorized CMMC Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) with Registered Practitioners on staff who have completed the Cyber AB's training and assessment requirements. Our RPO designation means we are authorized to assist organizations with CMMC preparation and can represent our qualifications to defense contractors seeking compliance assistance.

Author of The Ultimate Guide to CMMC

Craig Petronella, our founder and CTO, is the author of "The Ultimate Guide to CMMC," the Amazon number-one best-selling book on CMMC compliance. His deep expertise in CMMC, NIST 800-171, and federal cybersecurity requirements informs every engagement. Craig is also a Licensed Digital Forensic Examiner and MIT-certified professional in cybersecurity and compliance.

Proven Assessment Success

Our clients consistently pass their C3PAO assessments on the first attempt because we prepare them thoroughly before they ever engage an assessor. Our mock assessment process identifies and resolves deficiencies before the formal evaluation, and our documentation meets the standards that assessors expect. We do not let clients enter an assessment unprepared.

End-to-End Implementation

Unlike advisory-only firms that deliver reports but leave you to implement fixes, Petronella Technology Group, Inc. handles the full lifecycle from gap assessment through technical remediation, documentation, mock assessment, and ongoing monitoring. We deploy the infrastructure, configure the controls, write the policies, train your people, and stand beside you during the C3PAO assessment.

CUI Enclave Expertise

Our secure CUI enclave solutions reduce assessment boundaries by 40-60%, lowering both implementation cost and timeline. We leverage FedRAMP-authorized cloud platforms and virtual desktop infrastructure to create isolated environments purpose-built for CUI processing, with all 110 controls built in from the ground up rather than retrofitted onto existing infrastructure.

Triangle Defense Corridor Focus

Based in Raleigh, NC and serving defense contractors throughout the Research Triangle Park, Fort Liberty, and across North Carolina, we understand the unique needs of the regional defense industrial base. With more than 20 years serving businesses in Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Apex, and Chapel Hill, our local presence means responsive, on-site support when your CMMC engagement requires it.

CMMC Level 2 Certification FAQs

What is the difference between CMMC Level 1 and Level 2?

CMMC Level 1 (Foundational) protects Federal Contract Information and requires implementation of 17 basic cybersecurity practices from FAR 52.204-21. It permits annual self-assessment. CMMC Level 2 (Advanced) protects Controlled Unclassified Information and requires full implementation of all 110 security requirements from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2. For contracts involving critical national security information, Level 2 requires a triennial third-party assessment by an authorized C3PAO. The jump from 17 to 110 controls is substantial and typically requires 6-18 months of preparation. Level 2 demands formal documentation including a System Security Plan and Plan of Action and Milestones, along with evidence that each control operates effectively.

How long does it take to achieve CMMC Level 2 certification?

The timeline depends on your current cybersecurity maturity and the complexity of your environment. Organizations starting with minimal security controls should plan for 12-18 months of preparation. Those with existing NIST SP 800-171 implementations and a documented SSP may need 6-9 months to close remaining gaps and prepare for the C3PAO assessment. The assessment itself typically takes 3-5 days on-site, depending on organizational size and scope. We recommend beginning preparation at least 12 months before you anticipate needing certification for a contract award. Organizations deploying a CUI enclave solution can often compress timelines significantly compared to hardening their entire corporate network.

What is a C3PAO and how do I select one?

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 Cyber AB maintains a marketplace listing authorized C3PAOs. When selecting a C3PAO, consider their experience with organizations of your size and industry, their availability and scheduling timeline, their geographic proximity, and their reputation among organizations that have completed assessments. Note that 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.

What happens if I fail the C3PAO 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 after the assessment. However, not all requirements are POA&M-eligible, and excessive deficiencies will result in a failed assessment requiring remediation and a complete reassessment. The reassessment incurs additional C3PAO fees and delays your ability to compete for contracts. This is why Petronella Technology Group, Inc. conducts thorough mock assessments before you engage a C3PAO — we identify and resolve issues before they become assessment findings, ensuring you achieve certification on the first attempt.

Can I use cloud services to reduce my CMMC Level 2 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 that 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%, resulting in faster implementation and lower cost.

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 and per-violation penalties. Your SPRS score is not the same as CMMC certification — it is a self-assessment that precedes the formal C3PAO evaluation — but it must accurately reflect your current compliance status. We help organizations calculate an honest SPRS score and then systematically improve it through targeted remediation.

How much does CMMC Level 2 certification cost?

Total cost for CMMC Level 2 certification depends on your organization's size, current security maturity, assessment boundary scope, and whether you deploy a CUI enclave or harden your existing infrastructure. Costs include gap assessment and planning, technical remediation and control implementation, SSP and policy development, mock assessment and readiness validation, and the C3PAO assessment fee itself. The DoD has estimated average assessment costs for small organizations at approximately $37,000-$51,000 for the C3PAO assessment alone, 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, with no hidden fees or scope creep.

When do I need CMMC Level 2 certification?

The DoD is phasing CMMC requirements into contracts over a multi-year rollout. Phase 1 (2025) introduced CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 self-assessments in new contracts. 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. Phase 4 (2028) requires full CMMC inclusion in all applicable contracts. If your contracts involve CUI — particularly CUI categories like ITAR technical data, export-controlled information, or critical infrastructure data — you should begin preparation now. 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 their subcontractors ahead of the formal DoD timeline.

Start Your CMMC Level 2 Certification Journey

Every month you delay CMMC Level 2 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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