EXECUTIVE BRIEF
Phase 2 of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) enforcement is on the horizon, bringing mandatory third-party assessments for Level 2 certification. Choosing the right CMMC consultant ensures your organization protects sensitive data and stays eligible for future Department of Defense (DoD) (also known as the Department of War) contracts.
But with so many options on the market, there are a few key differentiators to look out for:
Choosing the right CMMC consultant is becoming a critical business decision. A qualified CMMC consultant can help you assess readiness, identify risks, remediate compliance gaps, prepare for audits, and maintain long-term alignment with DoD cybersecurity requirements.
You’re likely being bombarded with ads from companies of all sorts offering CMMC compliance services. But what should you be looking for? Dig deeper below to learn what certifications, experience, and offerings defense contractors should keep in mind when comparing consulting partners.
CMMC is the DoD’s framework for standardizing how defense contractors protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Built on the requirements of NIST SP 800-171, CMMC establishes consistent cybersecurity practices across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) to reduce supply-chain risk and improve data security.
The final CMMC rule went into effect in late 2024, formally establishing the program structure, certification levels, and assessment requirements, and Phase 1 of implementation began in 2025. By Phase 2 of the CMMC rollout beginning on November 10, 2026, contractors handling CUI will be mandated to demonstrate their compliance with CMMC requirements through CMMC Level 2 third-party certification (via a CMMC Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO)).
This means compliance can no longer be put on the back burner. With CMMC compliance now tied directly to contract eligibility, selecting the right consulting partner can directly impact your ability to win and retain DoD work.
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program standardizes cybersecurity practices to protect Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) across the defense supply chain.
This program was revised and streamlined with CMMC 2.0, which will be effective beginning on December 16, 2024. One of the biggest revisions in CMMC 2.0 requires defense contractors to achieve CMMC certification both to win new contracts and to sustain current contracts.
Compliance can no longer be put on the back burner; now it's a part of any defense contractors’ overarching business goals.
A CMMC consultant is an individual or organization—often a specialized Managed Service Provider (MSP)—that helps defense contractors meet CMMC standards by addressing compliance gaps, strengthening security posture, and preparing for certification.
A CMMC consultant may:
Compliance can overburden a small IT department, especially if they don't have DoD regulatory experience. An MSP can work alongside your current IT department to ensure your organization can confidently bid on new, lucrative contracts. A few of the significant benefits of working with an MSP are:
A CMMC consultant ensures your organization is prepared for a CMMC audit by conducting a readiness assessment, documenting your system security plan (SSP), identifying vulnerabilities, and developing a clear plan of action. This often includes a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) outlining remediation steps, milestones, and a realistic roadmap toward certification.
It's estimated that small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) account for 73% of contractors within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). While SMBs drive innovation within the DIB, they often lack the resources larger organizations have access to. Some common challenges are:
These constraints make ongoing risk assessments and sustained compliance especially difficult for small and mid-sized defense contractors.
Different Types of CMMC Consultants
When evaluating CMMC consulting services, most organizations encounter either a generalist MSP or a specialized CMMC compliance consulting provider focused exclusively on defense contractors.
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The benefit of a specialized MSP like ISI is that the entire organization has experience with—and is solely focused on—the complex regulations specific to the DIB. The services we offer are all tailored to CMMC practices and can be modified to meet your organization’s needs while still achieving compliance.
Not all MSPs are the same. There are varying degrees of expertise, comprehensiveness, and commitment that defense contractors have to weed through when searching for the right external support.
Let's dig deeper into what your organization should be looking for in an MSP. Beginning with...
As of now, only defense contractors are mandated to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The regulations surrounding CUI are completely niche to this industry. That's why it's vitally important your organization hires an MSP that has the DIB-specific expertise needed to support your progress toward compliance.
Three things to look for in your potential MSPs are:
In the defense contracting world, there’s no “quick fix” to achieve CMMC certification. Implementing all 110 of the security controls required for CMMC Level 2 takes time and effort: often six months or more, depending on your initial readiness.
Three things to look for in your potential MSPs are:
These indicators demonstrate whether a consultant has the track record and organizational commitment required to support CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 efforts.
With CMMC compliance, there's a lot to be done. But, when working with an MSP, the work shouldn’t feel siloed, and your consultants shouldn’t be strangers. Your MSP should prioritize quick response times, regular check-ins and updates, and transparent communication about any changes or issues that arise. While they’re not on your payroll, you should feel like your MSP advisor is part of your team.
As with any consultant, you want to make sure you're choosing a true partner for your compliance journey. You should sense your MSP cares about the success of your business and has your overall cybersecurity posture at the top of their mind. Remember: while achieving compliance is a critical part of the work they do for you, the overall goal is to build and strengthen your overall cybersecurity. A dedicated MSP should always be working toward that end.
The computer you buy from Dell or Best Buy won’t meet CMMC standards without additional security controls, often implemented through platforms such as Microsoft and cloud services aligned with FedRAMP requirements. Look for an MSP whose security stack has been proven in real CMMC assessments. At ISI, our curated stack has supported both our own certification efforts and our customers’ path through the CMMC process, creating a more predictable and repeatable readiness outcome.
There are a few things you should do when selecting an external service provider for your compliance journey:
When interviewing potential MSP partners, consider asking these questions to ensure your organization is receiving the best quality service:
Is your organization currently, or working towards, a Cyber AB RPO certification?
Are any of your team members certified CMMC Registered Practitioners (RPs)?
Does your organization plan on becoming CMMC certified?
Does your organization utilize varying vendors for your security stack?
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CMMC timelines are no longer abstract and waiting to prepare only narrows your options. The right CMMC consultant can help you close compliance gaps, build a realistic roadmap, and position your organization to remain competitive as certification requirements roll into DoD contracts.
ISI specializes in supporting defense contractors through CMMC readiness, remediation, and audit preparation. With deep experience across the DIB and a team focused on long-term cybersecurity maturity—not just passing an assessment—we help organizations move forward with clarity and confidence.
If CMMC certification impacts your ability to bid, win, or retain contracts, now is the time to act.
>> Partner with ISI for your compliance journey!
The cost of a CMMC audit depends on your certification level, organizational size, and overall readiness. For organizations pursuing CMMC Level 2, which requires a third-party assessment conducted by a C3PAO, factors that influence the final cost include the scope of systems handling CUI, the maturity of your SSP, the number of identified compliance gaps, and the amount of required remediation. Engaging a CMMC consultant ahead of time can help streamline the assessment process, reduce risk, and avoid costly rework.
The cost of working with a CMMC consultant or provider of CMMC compliance consulting services varies based on the level of support required and your starting security posture. Some organizations may only need targeted expert guidance or a readiness assessment, while others require ongoing support to develop a roadmap, address vulnerabilities, manage a POA&M, and prepare for audit milestones. For a breakdown of how to budget for CMMC Level 2 Compliance, refer to our CMMC Budget Guide: Compliance Without Compromise.
A CMMC consultant delivers readiness assessments, risk assessments, documented system security plans, remediation support, and audit preparation to help organizations meet compliance requirements efficiently.
We’re known for:
While hiring a CMMC consultant is not required, many defense contractors choose to work with one due to the complexity of CMMC requirements, the technical depth of NIST SP 800-171 controls, and the risk of failing an assessment. A CMMC consultant can significantly reduce preparation time and compliance risk.
The length of a CMMC assessment varies for a variety of reasons. Everything from internal preparation and organization to staff availability come into play. That said, you should plan for at least one, full work week (five, 8-hour days) for the assessment period.
Audits are completed by a CMMC C3PAO. Once you select a C3PAO, an assessment team consisting of a lead CMMC Certified Assessor (CCA), a secondary CCA, and an individual conducting quality assurance reviews for the assessment team will begin your audit. C3PAOs and CCAs accredited by the Cyber AB are the only entities capable of completing a CMMC assessment.
A CMMC consultant is a service provider to support the technical aspects of your compliance journey. With an MSP, you can complement or outsource components of your IT department with individuals with CMMC expertise. A C3PAO, on the other hand, reviews your IT infrastructure as well as any policies or procedures associated with CMMC practices.