CMMC Level 2 in 6 Months.
Not 18.
Petronella Technology Group is a CMMC Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) with the Cyber AB providing end-to-end CMMC 2.0 compliance services for defense contractors. PTG has 80% of required CMMC documentation pre-written, enabling most organizations to achieve compliance readiness in 3-6 months versus the 12-18 month industry average.
Craig Petronella is a CMMC Registered Practitioner. His team has extensive experience guiding organizations through compliance assessments. The CMMC final rule is active as of December 16, 2024 — your contracts depend on acting now.
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DFARS 7021 is now enforceable • Non-compliance = lost contracts • Free 30-minute call
What Is CMMC 2.0?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is the Department of Defense's unified standard for implementing cybersecurity across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). It simplifies the original five-tier model into three streamlined levels aligned with NIST SP 800-171 and SP 800-172.
CMMC 2.0 is not a checkbox exercise — it is a framework designed to protect national security by safeguarding Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on contractor systems. The final rule (32 CFR Part 170) went into effect December 16, 2024, making DFARS 252.204-7021 active and enforceable.
If your organization contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense or hopes to, you must meet specific cybersecurity standards to secure those contracts. CMMC certification is now woven into the DFARS fabric as a condition of doing business with the DoD.
Understanding the CMMC 2.0 Framework
Each level builds on the one before. The DoD specifies the required level in your contract based on the sensitivity of information you handle.
Foundational
Applies to organizations handling Federal Contract Information (FCI). Focuses on basic safeguarding practices: antivirus software, limiting system access to authorized users, and protecting media.
Assessment: Annual self-assessment with senior official affirmation. Results uploaded to SPRS. No third-party audit required, but false attestation triggers False Claims Act liability.
Advanced
Applies to contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Requires full implementation of 110 security requirements across 14 control families: access control, incident response, encryption, MFA, and more.
Assessment: Third-party assessment by a C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization) every three years. Some lower-risk programs may allow self-assessment. Limited POA&Ms permitted for non-critical controls.
Expert
Reserved for critical national security work facing Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). Adds enhanced requirements: deception technologies, penetration testing, hunt operations, and rigorous risk management.
Assessment: Government-led audit by DIBCAC. Requires existing Level 2 certification first. Reviewed every three years with annual affirmations. POA&Ms must close within 180 days.
Compare CMMC Levels at a Glance
Toggle between views to understand requirements, assessment types, timelines, and costs for each certification level.
| Requirement | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of practices | 17 | 110 | 130+ |
| Framework basis | FAR 52.204-21 | NIST SP 800-171 r2 | NIST 800-171 + 800-172 |
| Data type protected | FCI only | CUI | Critical CUI / APT |
| Access control (AC) | |||
| Multi-factor authentication | — | ||
| FIPS-validated encryption | — | ||
| Incident response plan | — | ||
| Penetration testing | — | — | |
| Threat hunting operations | — | — |
| Assessment Detail | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment type | Self-assessment | C3PAO third-party | Government (DIBCAC) |
| Frequency | Annual | Every 3 years | Every 3 years |
| Annual affirmation | |||
| POA&Ms allowed | No | Limited (non-critical) | Limited (180-day close) |
| SPRS score required | |||
| Prerequisite level | None | None | Level 2 required first |
| False Claims Act risk |
| Factor | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical timeline | 1-3 months | 6-12 months | 12-18 months |
| With PTG (accelerated) | 2-4 weeks | ~6 months | ~12 months |
| Estimated cost range | $5K - $15K | $20K - $100K+ | $100K - $500K+ |
| C3PAO assessment fee | N/A (self-assess) | $20K - $50K | N/A (Gov't audit) |
| Ongoing annual cost | $2K - $5K | $10K - $30K | $50K+ |
| Staff training needed | Basic awareness | Role-based + annual | Advanced + specialized |
| Documentation volume | Minimal | SSP + 14 policy families | SSP + enhanced controls |
Everything You Need to Get Certified
From initial assessment to audit day, we handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on winning contracts.
Gap Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation of your current cybersecurity posture against all CMMC controls. We identify every gap, calculate your SPRS score, and deliver a prioritized remediation plan with timelines and cost estimates.
System Security Plan (SSP)
Detailed documentation mapping how your organization implements each of the 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. Our SSP framework comes 80% pre-written — we customize it to your exact environment and architecture.
POA&M Management
For each unmet control, we create a formal Plan of Action & Milestones with responsible parties, target dates, and resource commitments. We prioritize critical controls that cannot be deferred and must be met before assessment day.
CUI Enclave Setup
We design and deploy a secure enclave for your Controlled Unclassified Information using FedRAMP-approved cloud solutions like Microsoft GCC High. Segment CUI from general IT to reduce audit scope and cost. Operational in as little as 30 days.
Policies & Procedures
Complete policy library covering all 14 NIST 800-171 control families: access control, incident response, configuration management, media protection, and more. Includes security awareness training programs, phishing simulations, and role-based training.
CMMC Assessment Prep
Mock audits, pre-assessment checklists, evidence reviews, and staff interview rehearsals. We simulate the C3PAO experience so there are zero surprises on audit day. We coordinate with accredited C3PAOs and provide on-site support during your formal assessment.
DFARS Clauses You Must Know
These Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses are the legal teeth behind CMMC. Click each clause to explore plain-English explanations, deadlines, and penalties.
SPRS Submission Portal: https://www.sprs.csd.disa.mil/
10 Steps to CMMC Certification
A proven methodology refined over 22+ years of compliance work. We guide you through every step.
Determine Your Required CMMC Level
Identify whether you handle FCI only (Level 1) or CUI (Level 2+). Review contracts and consult your DoD customer to confirm data classification.
Scope Your Environment
Map which networks, servers, endpoints, and cloud services process or store FCI/CUI. Segment CUI into a dedicated enclave to reduce audit scope and cost.
Perform a Gap Assessment
Measure current controls against all 110 NIST 800-171 requirements. Mark each as MET or NOT MET. Calculate your SPRS score. Identify all documentation gaps.
Develop POA&M and Budget
Create a formal remediation plan for every gap. Assign responsible parties, target dates, and budget. Prioritize critical controls that cannot be deferred under CMMC rules.
Implement Security Controls
Deploy technical controls (firewalls, MFA, encryption, EDR, SIEM), write policies and procedures, create your System Security Plan, and conduct security awareness training for all staff.
Set Up Secure CUI Hosting
Ensure your CUI environment meets FedRAMP Moderate or equivalent requirements. Deploy GCC High or a private enclave with proper access controls, monitoring, and encryption.
Conduct Internal Pre-Assessment
Run a mock audit against the official CMMC Assessment Guide. Verify evidence for each control. Test staff knowledge through interview rehearsals. Fix any remaining gaps.
Submit SPRS Score
Update your SPRS score to reflect current implementation status. Ensure your score aligns with documented controls. Note any active POA&M items for remaining gaps.
Undergo the CMMC Assessment
For Level 2, engage a C3PAO through the Cyber-AB Marketplace. Provide documentation, demonstrate controls, and participate in staff interviews. We provide on-site support throughout.
Maintain and Monitor
Certification is valid for 3 years with annual affirmations. Integrate CMMC practices into daily operations: continuous monitoring, regular training, patch management, and SSP updates for any system changes.
Certification Timeline Calculator
Answer three questions to get an estimated timeline and cost range for your CMMC certification journey.
Our recommendation: Start with a free 30-minute assessment call. We will evaluate your current posture and give you a precise roadmap tailored to your environment.
Common CMMC Challenges
Every defense contractor hits these hurdles. Here is how Petronella removes them.
Identifying All CUI
CUI hides in email threads, shared drives, and backups. We conduct thorough data mapping, deploy DLP tools to catch CUI spillage, and train employees to recognize markings and handle CUI properly.
Budget and Resource Constraints
Instead of building costly infrastructure in-house, leverage cloud services already compliant (Microsoft GCC High, secure enclaves). Our Done-With-You packages get clients to ~80% compliance in weeks at a fraction of DIY cost.
Legacy Systems and Technical Complexity
Older systems cannot support modern encryption or authentication protocols. We modernize and segment: isolate legacy systems from CUI, migrate to compliant platforms, and deploy compensating controls where upgrades are not feasible.
Documentation Overload
CMMC requires formal policies, procedures, and system security plans across all 14 control families. Our policy templates are aligned to each CMMC family — 80% pre-written, customized to your environment, and audit-ready.
Employee Culture Change
New password policies, MFA steps, and data handling rules meet resistance. We deliver interactive security awareness training, phishing simulations, and role-based programs that get genuine buy-in — not just checkboxes.
Evolving Requirements
NIST 800-171 Rev. 3 is on the horizon. Threats constantly change. Our managed services include continuous monitoring, quarterly compliance check-ins, and documentation updates so recertification is seamless.
Your Contracts Depend on It
Hackers actively target the defense supply chain. The DoD expects contractors to be proactive, not reactive.
Non-compliance results in loss of contract eligibility. Solicitations involving CUI now require a CMMC certification that contractors must meet to be eligible for award.
False SPRS claims trigger False Claims Act investigations and civil penalties. The DOJ Civil Cyber-Fraud Initiative is actively pursuing contractors who misrepresent compliance.
Prime contractors demand proof of flow-down compliance from subcontractors. Annual affirmations and continuous monitoring are the new norm.
Competitive advantage: Getting certified ahead of competitors means you can bid on contracts they cannot. CMMC certification unlocks higher-value defense opportunities.
CMMC Level 2 Readiness Checklist
Evaluate your organization against key CMMC Level 2 practices. Select Yes, Partial, or No for each item to get your readiness score.
Access Control (AC)
0/4Identification & Authentication (IA)
0/3System & Communications Protection (SC)
0/3Incident Response (IR)
0/3Audit & Accountability (AU)
0/4Physical Protection & Training (PE/AT)
0/3Your CMMC Readiness
Complete all items above to see your readiness assessment and personalized recommendation.
Meet ComplyBot
Get instant answers to CMMC, HIPAA, and SOC 2 questions — trained on the actual frameworks, not blog posts. ComplyBot understands the 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, DFARS clause requirements, and the CMMC assessment process.
Try ComplyBot at petronella.aiInstant framework answers — Ask about any NIST 800-171 control and get the requirement, evidence needed, and common implementation approaches.
DFARS clause guidance — Understand which clauses apply to your situation and what evidence satisfies each requirement.
Assessment preparation — Learn what C3PAO assessors look for, common interview questions, and documentation best practices.
Who Needs CMMC Certification?
Defense Contractors
Prime contractors handling CUI need Level 2 certification to win and maintain DoD contracts.
DoD Subcontractors
Primes demand flow-down compliance. Subcontractors need certification or risk losing their place in the supply chain.
DIB Supply Chain
Manufacturers, tech firms, and service providers in the Defense Industrial Base who handle any FCI or CUI.
Download Our Free CMMC 2.0 Guide
Our step-by-step playbook covers how to secure your government contracts, align with NIST 800-171, prepare for CMMC assessments, and avoid the most common compliance pitfalls.
Download the Free CMMC Guide (PDF)Frequently Asked Questions
What is CMMC 2.0 and when did it take effect?
Who needs CMMC certification?
What are the three CMMC 2.0 levels?
How long does it take to achieve CMMC compliance?
What is the difference between CMMC and NIST 800-171?
What are POA&Ms and are they allowed under CMMC 2.0?
How much does CMMC compliance cost?
What is an SPRS score and why does it matter?
Is Petronella a certified CMMC provider?
What happens if I am not CMMC compliant?
The Clock Is Running.
Your Free Assessment Takes 30 Minutes.
Let our certified CMMC practitioners evaluate your SPRS score, identify readiness gaps, and give you a clear roadmap to pass your assessment the first time. No obligation. No pressure. Just clarity.
Certified RPO • 22+ years of compliance experience • Proven methodology • Serving the DIB since 2002
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CMMC compliance works best as part of a complete security and IT strategy. Explore our integrated solutions.