Executive Brief
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a buzzword in compliance, it’s a practical tool defense contractors are using today. With the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 in full swing, Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) authorized AI platforms are helping organizations:
- Automate evidence collection and align it with National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Special Publication (SP) 800-171 controls
- Identify and prioritize security gaps faster
- Streamline remediation and reporting with real-time insights
Dig deeper to learn how AI is changing the compliance game, and what contractors should know.
Why AI Matters in CMMC Compliance
CMMC compliance is detail-heavy. Contractors must prove implementation of all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls, document evidence, and prepare for Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) audits.
AI tools can’t replace auditors or implement security controls for you, but they can reduce the manual burden of compliance work and accelerate readiness.
See how AI can assist your compliance journey along with some FedRAMP-authorized tools below!
Faster Assessment Preparation
One of the biggest hurdles in CMMC readiness is aligning the System Security Plan (SSP) with NIST SP 800-171 controls. Contractors often spend months interpreting regulatory text and mapping it against their documentation.
FedRAMP-authorized AI services such as AWS Bedrock can help by powering retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) systems built on your own compliance documentation. This makes it easier to spot gaps, connect requirements to SSP content, and prepare audit-ready documentation with fewer delays.
Smarter Remediation
Once compliance gaps are identified, the next challenge is prioritizing them. Not every missing control carries the same weight, for example, failing to implement multifactor authentication can damage your Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score more than missing a lower-value requirement.
Automation platforms like UiPath Automation Cloud – Public Sector help address this by flagging vulnerabilities, assigning remediation tasks, and tracking progress in real time. By automating workflows, these tools ensure that resources are directed where they’re needed most.
Better Reporting & Documentation
Preparing consistent, audit-ready reports consumes valuable staff resources. Contractors often spend weeks compiling evidence for assessors and prime contractors.
Examples like Microsoft’s Security Copilot streamline this process by summarizing incidents, aligning reports with NIST controls, and reducing the back-and-forth in explaining security posture. With reporting simplified, teams can focus on actually closing gaps instead of formatting documents.
Organized Evidence Faster
Evidence collection is one of the most scrutinized parts of CMMC compliance. Assessors will expect traceability between policies, implementation, and outcomes.
Platforms such as Conduit centralize compliance artifacts and map them directly to the relevant NIST 800-171 control. This keeps evidence secure, audit-ready, and easy for assessors to verify—reducing the risk of last-minute scrambling.
Why Contractors Can’t Wait
- Limited assessor availability: C3PAOs are already booked into 2026.
- Prime contractor pressure: Many primes are flowing down CMMC requirements early.
- Early adopters benefit: Contractors using AI now can reduce remediation delays and stand out as lower-risk partners.
FAQs
Is AI required for CMMC compliance?
No. AI is a helper, not a requirement. But it can save time, reduce errors, and accelerate readiness.
Are these tools compliant with the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP)?
Yes. Each example highlighted, AWS Bedrock, UiPath Automation Cloud, Security Copilot, and Conduit, is FedRAMP-authorized, making them suitable for handling federal contract data.
Do I still need a governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) tool?
Yes. AI accelerates evidence collection and analysis, while GRC tools centralize documentation for audits. Many contractors benefit from using both.
