What Is CMMC Consulting?
CMMC consulting refers to specialized advisory services that help Department of Defense (DoD) contractors achieve and maintain Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance. As CMMC requirements roll out across DoD contracts, contractors without certification will be ineligible for awards — making consulting support critical.
What Is CMMC 2.0?
CMMC 2.0 is the updated cybersecurity framework required for DoD contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It has three levels:
| Level | Practices | Assessment | Who Needs It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 — Foundational | 17 practices | Annual self-assessment | All DoD contractors handling FCI |
| Level 2 — Advanced | 110 practices (NIST 800-171) | C3PAO third-party assessment | Contractors handling CUI |
| Level 3 — Expert | 110+ practices | Government-led assessment | Critical national security programs |
What Does a CMMC Consultant Do?
- Gap assessment — Evaluate current security posture against CMMC requirements
- System Security Plan (SSP) — Document your security practices and environment
- Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) — Remediation roadmap for gaps
- SPRS score submission — Calculate and submit your NIST 800-171 score
- C3PAO preparation — Prepare for third-party assessment
- Ongoing compliance — Annual reviews and continuous monitoring
CMMC Consulting Cost
| Service | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Gap assessment (Level 2) | $15,000 — $40,000 |
| Full Level 2 remediation support | $50,000 — $200,000+ |
| C3PAO assessment preparation | $20,000 — $60,000 |
| Ongoing compliance management | $5,000 — $15,000/month |
CMMC Timeline
CMMC Level 2 certification typically takes 12 to 24 months from gap assessment to certified status, depending on your current security posture. Start early — DoD contract requirements are phasing in now.
What Is NIST 800-171?
NIST SP 800-171 defines the 110 security practices required for CMMC Level 2. It covers 14 domains including access control, incident response, risk assessment, and system communications protection. Your SPRS score — calculated against NIST 800-171 — must be submitted to the Supplier Performance Risk System before bidding on applicable DoD contracts.
GovCon Media Mosiac provides CMMC readiness consulting — gap assessments, SSP development, POA&M management, and C3PAO preparation. Book a free consultation to assess your CMMC requirements.