Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Identify your required CMMC level first, then assess gaps and build a remediation plan.
- Documented policies, enforced procedures, and employee training are as vital as technical controls.
- Total Assure provides tailored support to help small and mid‑sized contractors navigate compliance confidently.
1. Understand Your Required CMMC Level
CMMC has multiple maturity levels (1 – 3 for most small‑to‑mid contractors). Start by reviewing your contracts and DoD guidelines to confirm which level applies and what practices/processes you must implement.
2. Conduct a Gap Assessment
Perform a thorough self‑assessment—or hire an expert—to compare your current posture with CMMC requirements. Document gaps clearly and prioritize critical controls needing immediate attention.
3. Develop a Remediation Plan
Create an actionable roadmap with tasks, timelines, and responsible owners. Account for policy updates, technical control deployments, and staff training.
4. Implement Security Policies and Procedures
CMMC success hinges on well‑documented and enforced policies covering areas such as access control, incident response, and system configuration. Ensure staff know—and follow—these policies.
5. Deploy Technical Controls
Protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) with firewalls, antivirus, MFA, encryption, monitoring, and logging that meet your CMMC level's requirements.
6. Train Your Team
Provide ongoing, role‑based cybersecurity awareness training. Emphasize each employee's part in maintaining compliance.
7. Prepare Documentation for the Assessment
Maintain organized records of policies, training logs, system configurations, and remediation evidence so they're easy to present during the C3PAO assessment.
8. Schedule Your Official CMMC Assessment
When confident in readiness, book an assessment with an authorized C3PAO—onsite or remote. Use any feedback to close last gaps.
How Total Assure Can Help
From gap assessments and remediation planning to training and mock audits, Total Assure simplifies your road to CMMC compliance so you can focus on your mission without cybersecurity distractions.