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Prepare Now for NIST SP 800‑171 Compliance: A Practical Roadmap

With CMMC deadlines approaching, now is the time to align with NIST SP 800‑171. This roadmap outlines phased steps—gap assessment, remediation, documentation, and audit prep—to set your organization up for success.

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Phase 1 – Discover & Assess

  • Inventory CUI Flows – data, applications, endpoints.
  • Conduct Gap Assessment – compare current controls to 110 requirements.
  • Prioritize by Risk & Effort – focus on high‑impact gaps first.

Phase 2 – Remediate & Document

  • Draft or update required policies (access control, IR, media protection).
  • Deploy technical controls—MFA, EDR, SIEM, encryption.
  • Build your System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M).

Phase 3 – Train & Test

  • Launch security‑awareness program and role‑based training.
  • Perform tabletop exercises, vulnerability scanning, and mock audits.
  • Collect evidence artifacts for assessor review.

Phase 4 – Engage a C3PAO

  • Select an authorized assessor, share SSP & POA&M in advance.
  • Address pre‑assessment findings promptly.
  • Schedule the official assessment when confident in readiness.

Stay Ahead with Total Assure

Total Assure offers end‑to‑end compliance services—gap assessments, remediation guidance, policy development, and mock audits—helping you hit CMMC targets on time and within budget. Talk to an expert.