Don’t mistake low certification rates as a green light to delay.

The current low percentage of certified Level 2 companies isn’t a grace period; it’s a warning signal. Many organizations will scramble for certification once Level 2 (C3PAO) becomes a standard contract requirement in November 2026. Getting ahead now ensures you’re not caught in the bottleneck later.

Target Q3 2026 for your C3PAO assessment.

If you haven’t scheduled an assessment, aim for mid-2026. C3PAOs are already booking into that window, and competition for assessor availability will intensify. Remediation can take 6-18 months, depending on your environment. Start now: complete your gap assessment, plan your remediation timeline, and begin vetting C3PAOs.

Bring in a CMMC-savvy partner.

Achieving compliance requires technical depth and speed. External service providers can augment your IT team, accelerate remediation, and ensure your environment meets CMMC requirements (particularly if you're managing complex or hybrid infrastructures).

CMMC Bottleneck Coming

CMMC Rollout Projections

Maximize your competitive position

The latest Cyber AB Town Hall highlighted consistent growth in new certifications, Certified CMMC Assessors (CCAs), and CCA applications. Find key data highlights from the October 2025 Town Hall below:

CMMC Level 2 certifications: 452 (Up 18% from September)
CCAs: 567 (Up 7.6%)
CCA Applications: 1,108 (Up 5.2%)

While progress has been consistent, it has also been modest. At the current rate, we are now projecting full Level 2 (C3PAO) compliance by November 2029 at the earliest.

Below is our projected assessment distribution based on October's updates:

Key Takeaways for Defense Contractors

Certification remains rare October's modest certification growth (70) was well below the growth seen in September (95). To date, 0.38% of the estimated 118,000 contractors requiring a Level 2 (C3PAO) certification have passed their assessment.
assessment backlog will get worse CCAs and C3PAOs are expanding, but not quickly enough to meet rising demand. Only about 10% of Level 2 companies are currently scheduled for assessment, and with wait times already at 9–12 months, delays could stretch to 24–30 months by late 2026.
The Early Adapter Advantage In addition to wide-reaching contract eligibility, companies that achieve Level 2 (C3PAO) certification ahead of November 2026 will enjoy limited competition and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to grow their business pipeline as competitors wait in line.

Resources for Your CMMC Journey

CMMC 2.0's phased rollout will start before the end of the year. When you choose to start your compliance journey will be the biggest factor in winning new contracts or losing out on opportunities.

Check out these resources to guide your CMMC strategy.

Find Your CMMC Readiness Signal

Quickly assess your current compliance posture and receive tailored, downloadable resources based on your responses.

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Steal Our CMMC Level 2 Strategy

This step-by-step guide breaks down what’s required at each stage of CMMC Level 2—written for IT leaders, compliance teams, and executives alike.

Download Here

Webinars & Workshops

Get direct access to CMMC professionals and industry experts who walk through key topics, updates, and common pitfalls.

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Tips for Improving Your Competitive Advantage

Don’t mistake low certification rates as a green light to delay.: The current low percentage of certified Level 2 companies isn’t a grace period; it’s a warning signal. Many organizations will scramble for certification once Level 2 (C3PAO) becomes a standard contract requirement in November 2026. Getting ahead now ensures you’re not caught in the bottleneck later.
Target Q3 2026 for your C3PAO assessment.: If you haven’t scheduled an assessment, aim for mid-2026. C3PAOs are already booking into that window, and competition for assessor availability will intensify. Remediation can take 6-18 months, depending on your environment. Start now: complete your gap assessment, plan your remediation timeline, and begin vetting C3PAOs.
Bring in a CMMC-savvy partner.: Achieving compliance requires technical depth and speed. External service providers can augment your IT team, accelerate remediation, and ensure your environment meets CMMC requirements (particularly if you're managing complex or hybrid infrastructures).

CMMC Bottleneck Coming