What is CMMC Compliance?
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is a set of security standards created by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to protect sensitive information in its supply chain. If your business works with the DoD – whether as a contractor, subcontractor, or service provider – you must meet these cybersecurity requirements.
CMMC has three levels, from basic security measures to advanced protections. It helps safeguard Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) against cyber threats. Depending on the level, certification may require a self-assessment or an independent evaluation.
CMMC BASICS
Who needs CMMC 2.0 Certification?
Defence Cotractors
Any organization, regardless of size, that intends to work with the U.S. Department of Defense by directly bidding on contracts.
Subcontractors
Companies within the supply chain that do not contract directly with the DoD but contribute to fulfilling defense contracts. This includes suppliers and service providers involved in producing or handling components and systems for primary contractors.
Vendors handling CUI
Any entity that deals with sensitive but unclassified information, as defined by federal standards, must obtain certification. Since this data is crucial for national security, proper safeguarding is required.
CMMC Certification – is it for You?
CMMC COMPLIANCE CONSULTING: CMMC LEVELS
General Overview Of CMMC 2.0 Requirements
Level 1 (Foundational)
ABOUT:
Level 1 focuses on basic cybersecurity hygiene, requiring compliance with 15 controls from FAR Clause 52.204-21 to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI). Organizations conduct annual self-assessments, certified by a corporate executive. This level suits small businesses or new DoD contractors without Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Compliance must be immediate, as corrective action plans (POA&Ms) are not allowed.
APPLICABLE IF:
Your organization handles FCI but not CUI, making it suitable for non-critical projects with basic cybersecurity needs.
PROCEDURE:
Organizations conduct annual self-assessments on 15 controls, with results certified by a corporate executive.
Level 2 (Mature)
ABOUT:
Level 2 applies to organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and requires compliance with 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171. Key aspects include documented processes, proactive risk management, and CUI protection. Most companies undergo an independent assessment every three years (C3PAO), though some may qualify for annual self-assessments depending on project sensitivity.
APPLICABLE IF:
Your contract involves CUI. The Department of Defense (DoD) determines whether a self-assessment is sufficient or if third-party certification is required—most cases require an external assessment.
PROCEDURE:
To achieve conditional compliance, a company must:
✅ Score at least 88 out of 110 points.
✅ Resolve any corrective actions (POA&M) within 180 days.
✅ Undergo third-party assessment for critical projects.
Level 3: (Advanced)
Level 3 is the highest security standard, requiring compliance with 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171 and 24 additional controls from NIST SP 800-172 to protect against advanced cyber threats. Key aspects include precise procedures, proactive risk management, and full protection of strategically significant data.
APPLICABLE IF:
Your organization is already CMMC Level 2 certified and participates in high-priority defense projects requiring enhanced CUI protection. Directio helps companies prepare for Level 2, while Level 3 assessments are conducted by DCMA DIBCAC.
PROCEDURE:
To obtain certification, a company must:
✅ Achieve a perfect Level 2 score (110/110).
✅ Implement at least 20 out of 24 advanced controls from NIST SP 800-172.
✅ Resolve all corrective actions (POA&M) within 180 days to maintain compliance.
CMMC 2025: A NEW ERA OF CYBERSECURITY
CMMC Compliance in 2025 and Beyond
Companies handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must achieve at least CMMC Level 2 certification, which requires an external third-party assessment. Meanwhile, organizations dealing only with Federal Contract Information (FCI) can comply at Level 1 through self-assessment. The CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber AB) has expanded the availability of C3PAOs (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations) to handle the increasing demand for compliance audits. Businesses must now adopt stricter security controls, ensuring that all cybersecurity measures align with evolving threats and DoD expectations.
Beyond initial certification, the focus is shifting toward continuous compliance rather than one-time approval. Organizations will need to implement real-time security monitoring, frequent audits, and risk management strategies to maintain their certification status. The rise of zero-trust architectures, AI-driven threat detection, and automation is expected to play a critical role in shaping future CMMC requirements. Companies failing to meet ongoing compliance standards may face contract loss, increasing the competition among fully certified vendors.
CMMC compliance doesn’t have to be complex
Not sure what steps to take to secure a CMMC certification for your company? Lost in a maze of directives? At Directio, we turn the complex CMMC certification process into a clear and straightforward path. We’ll make it easier for you and support you at every stage.
Angelo Pressello
CEO
STEAMLINED SUPPORT FOR YOUR CERTIFICATION
Directio CMMC Compliance Services
CMMC Readiness & Advisory Services
Before starting the CMMC certification process, it’s essential to evaluate your company’s current cybersecurity posture. Our Preparedness Evaluation identifies weaknesses in people, processes, and technology, highlighting areas where security controls are missing or insufficient. We provide a clear, actionable roadmap to strengthen compliance and minimize costly remediation efforts later in the process.
Implementation & Security Control Optimization
Once gaps are identified, we guide your organization through the necessary security enhancements. Our Compliance Consultation helps determine the right CMMC 2.0 level, develop essential security policies, and implement encryption, access controls, and incident response plans. We also offer employee training to ensure compliance is embedded in your organization’s culture. With our support, your company will be fully prepared to meet certification requirements and secure DoD contracts..
Compliance Maintenance & Continuous Monitoring
CMMC compliance is an ongoing process that requires regular monitoring and documentation. Our Assurance Support and SSP Documentation services help establish a structured Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) to mitigate security risks. We assist with maintaining and updating your System Security Plan (SSP) while conducting continuous monitoring, vulnerability assessments, and audit preparation to keep your organization compliant. By proactively managing cybersecurity, your business can protect sensitive data, maintain DoD contract eligibility, and avoid security breaches.
Get Certified with Directio: Step by Step
- 1. Customer Questionnare
- 2. Compliance report
- 3. Remediation activities
- 4. C3PAO Audit
- 5. Maintenance
Directio utilizes a dedicated, centralized digital platform to streamline CMMC compliance assessments and track progress. We start by collecting key information through a comprehensive client survey, allowing us to better understand your current cybersecurity posture and identify areas for improvement.
Our team, along with our certified RPO (Registered Provider Organization) partner, analyzes your responses and generates a compliance report. This report includes recommendations tailored to your business to meet CMMC requirements.
If gaps are identified, our experts provide CMMC support and remediation assistance to address any cybersecurity deficiencies. This includes implementing controls, strengthening defenses, and preparing your organization for certification.
Achieving CMMC certification is just the beginning – maintaining compliance is essential for long-term cybersecurity. Directio provides continuous monitoring and updates to help organizations stay secure and compliant.
✔ Regular security reviews and testing to identify and mitigate new threats.
✔ Policy and procedure updates to align with evolving CMMC requirements.
✔ Employee training to reinforce cybersecurity best practices.
✔ Ongoing expert support to ensure a high level of protection.
With proactive security management, your organization remains audit-ready and fully compliant at all times.
Achieve Full CMMC Compliance with Expert Guidance – Get Started Now!
CMMC CERTIFICATION: OUR CMMC COMPLIANCE CONSULTING
Why Directio? Complete CMMC Level 1–3 Expertise
Small-Business Defense Focus
Directio specializes in serving small and mid-sized businesses in the Defense Industrial Base. We understand the unique challenges and resource constraints smaller DoD contractors face. Our team tailors its approach to provide right-sized, cost-effective compliance solutions that align with your operations and budget, making enterprise-level security attainable for your business.
Proprietary CMMC Readiness Methodology
We utilize a proven, proprietary methodology to prepare you for CMMC compliance. This structured approach ensures no requirement is overlooked and accelerates your path to certification. By integrating industry best practices at every step, we simplify complex tasks and give you a clear, step-by-step plan to achieve compliance successfully.
End-to-End Support (Beyond Checklists)
Our support covers the entire compliance journey, not just documentation. Directio helps with everything from initial gap assessments and policy development to technical remediation and solution implementation. We even conduct mock audits to make sure you’re fully prepared for the real assessment, guiding you step-by-step until you’re ready for a successful CMMC audit.
Your Advocate, Not Your Auditor
Directio serves as your dedicated advocate and advisor. This means our sole focus is helping you achieve compliance, with no conflicts of interest. We’ll prepare you thoroughly and coordinate with an accredited C3PAO for the formal certification, ensuring a smooth, impartial audit process.
Certified & Experienced Team
When you work with Directio, you get a team of credentialed experts – including CMMC Registered Practitioners (RP and RPA), seasoned integration engineers, a certified project manager (PMP), a risk manager, and fractional virtual CISOs (vCISOs) – assembled based on the nature of your project. This diverse expertise covers every aspect of cybersecurity and compliance, from high-level policy and strategy to hands-on technical controls.
Continuous Support Beyond Certification
Compliance isn’t a one-and-done project for us – it’s an ongoing partnership. After you achieve CMMC certification, we continue to support your security program with periodic reviews, updates, and guidance as requirements or threats evolve. With Directio by your side, you’ll have long-term assistance to maintain your compliance and strengthen your cyber defense posture over time.
Strategic Partnership with Preveil
Our collaboration with Preveil i Red Trident gives clients access to integrated tools for data protection and compliance alignment — reinforcing secure-by-design principles and speeding up CMMC readiness without reinventing the wheel.
Start Your CMMC Certification Process Now
1
Initial Consultation
2
Project Planning
3
Kick Off
Do you have questions and need a trusted partner for CMMC certification?
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
CMMC 2.0, or Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, is a framework created by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to ensure contractors meet specific cybersecurity standards to safeguard sensitive information.
Any company that contracts with the Department of Defense (DoD) and handles Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must obtain CMMC certification to bid on and maintain contracts.
Compliance is mandatory for securing and maintaining contracts with the DoD. It also strengthens your cybersecurity posture, reducing the risk of cyber threats.
To get CMMC certification, your company must undergo an assessment by a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). Start by determining your required CMMC level, implementing necessary cybersecurity controls, and preparing for the official audit. Working with a CMMC consultant can help streamline the process and ensure compliance.
All contractors and subcontractors working on U.S. government contracts requiring access to Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Federal Contract Information (FCI).
CMMC has three levels:
- Level 1: Foundational (15 cybersecurity controls, self-assessed annually).
- Level 2: Advanced (111 controls, third-party assessments required).
- Level 3: Expert (highest-level, government-led assessments).
- Level 1 focuses on basic safeguarding and self-assessment.
- Level 2 involves rigorous third-party assessments by C3PAOs and applies to companies handling sensitive national security information.
- Level 3 (out of Directio’s scope) requires government-led assessments for critical defense programs.
Directio provides localized IT remediation support, assists with document translation, and ensures compliance with the required cybersecurity controls. We work closely with certified assessors to streamline your certification process.
An RPO (Registered Provider Organization) is an entity authorized by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body (The Cyber AB) to provide advisory services to organizations preparing for CMMC certification. RPOs assist Organizations Seeking Certification (OSCs) with readiness assessments, gap analyses, and remediation strategies to help them achieve compliance with CMMC requirements.
Yes, Directio collaborates with a trusted RPO partner to deliver seamless support for your CMMC compliance needs. Our RPO partner is accredited and certified to provide expert guidance, ensuring your organization is well-prepared for assessments at Levels 1 and 2. Together, we combine expertise and technology to streamline the compliance process, offering a reliable and comprehensive service tailored to your organization’s requirements.
A C3PAO (CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization) is an independent, authorized organization accredited by The Cyber AB to conduct official CMMC assessments. These assessments determine whether an organization meets the necessary cybersecurity requirements to achieve CMMC certification, which is essential for companies working within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Through our trusted RPO partner, Directio collaborates with a certified C3PAO that utilizes established deliverables to streamline the CMMC certification process. By leveraging these resources, we efficiently address compliance requirements, reducing the time and effort needed for certification preparation. This approach significantly lowers costs for your organization by minimizing redundancies and focusing on targeted remediation. These proven tools and methodologies ensure that assessments and reports are comprehensive, while helping to optimize resources and achieve CMMC certification more cost-effectively.
Our team identifies gaps. We support remediation efforts to ensure compliance before reassessment.
The timeline depends on your current cybersecurity readiness and the level of compliance required. Level 1 can take weeks, while Level 2 may take months, including remediation activities.
Costs vary based on your organization’s size, the level of compliance required, and the extent of remediation needed.
Yes, we support the entire process, from assessment preparation to remediation. Once compliant, we connect you with C3PAOs for certification audits.
With extensive experience in IT services and a strong partnership with cybersecurity experts, we bring expertise, localized support, and a seamless compliance process tailored to your needs.
Contact Directio to schedule a consultation. We’ll assess your needs and create a tailored roadmap for achieving CMMC certification.
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