Audit-Ready Posture
Programs built to withstand assessor scrutiny.
CMMC Compliance Starts Here. Compass Gets You Certified.Start Here →
CMMC is the gatekeeper for defense contracts, and failure to certify means losing eligibility to bid. CompassMSP translates complex requirements into a structured, audit-ready program that secures your revenue without overengineering your operations. This is compliance built for real audits and sustained operational readiness.
CMMC introduces a single, enforceable standard for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information, and it directly determines who can compete for DoD contracts. The risk is widespread: recent data reveals that only 4% of contractors are currently prepared for certification, with the average organization starting at a failing negative score. CyberSheath State of the DIB Report, 2024
Organizations understand which CMMC level applies but struggle to translate requirements into actionable, audit-defensible controls.
Security controls exist but are inconsistently implemented, partially deployed, or insufficiently documented to withstand assessment scrutiny.
SSPs, POA&Ms, policies, and supporting evidence are incomplete, outdated, or misaligned with how systems operate.
CMMC requirements collide with active contracts, production demands, and limited internal security and compliance resources.
No single party is accountable for aligning IT, security, and compliance efforts into a cohesive, defensible program.
CMMC determines whether aerospace and defense manufacturers remain eligible for Department of Defense contracts. CompassMSP’s CMMC Jumpstart is a fixed-scope engagement designed to help organizations establish audit readiness with clarity, structure, and control.
This approach translates CMMC and NIST 800-171 requirements into concrete actions, aligned documentation, and validated controls without unnecessary complexity or long-term lock-in.
Establish scope, clarify risk, and define a defensible starting point for CMMC compliance.
We analyze how Controlled Unclassified Information moves through your environment, confirm which CMMC level applies, and define clear enclave boundaries. Existing security controls are assessed against CMMC and NIST 800-171 requirements to identify gaps that would impact audit outcomes.
Confirmed compliance scope and applicability
CUI data flow and enclave definition
NIST 800-171 and CMMC gap assessment
Clear, defensible baseline for remediation planning
Build compliant systems, aligned controls, and audit-ready documentation.
We design and implement a secure enclave aligned to CMMC requirements, deploy required technical and administrative controls, and harden systems to meet assessor expectations. All required documentation is developed and structured to support audit evidence and validation.
Secure enclave architecture and control implementation
System hardening aligned to audit criteria
SSP, POA&M, policies, and procedures development
Evidence structure aligned to assessor review
Confirm control effectiveness and sustain audit readiness over time.
We conduct internal pre-assessments, validate control performance, and ensure documentation and evidence remain aligned. SPRS scoring is supported and ongoing compliance oversight is maintained through the Secure Path GRC platform and Compass CMMC Pod support.
Internal CMMC pre-assessment validation
Verified control and evidence alignment
SPRS score accuracy and improvement support
Continuous compliance oversight to reduce assessment risk
CMMC is not a checkbox. It is a structured program that requires alignment between security controls, documentation, and operational reality.
We determine which CMMC level applies based on contract scope, data handling, and risk exposure.
We assess current controls against CMMC and NIST 800-171 requirements to establish a defensible starting point.
We identify control gaps, process weaknesses, and documentation issues that would fail an assessment.
Clear, prioritized actions designed to close gaps efficiently without unnecessary tooling or disruption.
We build and maintain SSPs, POA&Ms, policies, procedures, and supporting evidence aligned to auditor expectations.
CMMC requirements evolve. We provide continuous guidance to keep your organization aligned over time.
Compass supports organizations across the defense industrial base with CMMC-specific expertise. Our approach aligns compliance, cybersecurity, and operational accountability so certification becomes sustainable.
Assess your current posture, identify gaps, and confirm readiness before a formal CMMC assessment.
Talk to a CMMC AdvisorAlign technical controls, processes, and documentation to NIST 800-171 requirements that underpin CMMC Level 2.
Validate Your AlignmentBuild clear, audit-aligned security policies and procedures that reflect how your environment operates.
Build Audit-Ready PoliciesDevelop and maintain System Security Plans and POA&Ms that withstand assessor scrutiny and stay current over time.
Get Documentation SupportDesign and deploy required technical and administrative controls aligned to CMMC and audit expectations.
Implement Required ControlsPrepare for assessment with structured evidence collection, validation, and pre-assessment review.
Prepare for AssessmentTrain employees on security responsibilities tied to CMMC requirements and controlled information handling.
Strengthen Security AwarenessGain strategic guidance, accountability, and executive-level oversight for CMMC and cybersecurity decisions.
Work with a vCISOMaintain alignment as systems, users, and requirements change to reduce audit risk and compliance drift.
Maintain Compliance Confidence
CompassMSP is a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) certified by the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body (The Cyber AB). That designation means our team is authorized to guide organizations through CMMC readiness using approved practices that align with assessor expectations.
We handle the heavy lifting, from gap assessments to remediation oversight, so your internal teams stay focused on operations. Our approach combines deep cybersecurity expertise with practical execution, meeting organizations where they are and moving them toward a defensible, audit-ready compliance posture without unnecessary complexity.
Compass clients achieve measurable improvements across readiness and certification confidence.
Programs built to withstand assessor scrutiny.
Structured remediation shortens readiness timelines.
Proactive gap management lowers corrective actions.
Leadership understands risk, status, and next steps at all times.
Compliance anchored in real cybersecurity controls, not paperwork alone.
Hands-on guidance from vCISO and security advisors who understand audits and assessors.
Programs designed to support contracts without slowing the business down.
One partner responsible for alignment, follow-through, and outcomes.
Regulatory pressure is no longer limited to the defense sector. Whether you are protecting patient data under HIPAA, financial assets under NYDFS 500, or client trust under SOC 2, the cost of non-compliance is too high to ignore.
CompassMSP goes beyond basic support to deliver technology programs tailored to the specific regulations you are subject to. We understand the operational nuance of high-stakes environments (from healthcare and finance to legal and manufacturing) and design defensible security strategies that satisfy auditors without slowing down your business.
HIPAA, HITECH, breach forensics.
Protect Patient DataNYDFS, PCI DSS, SOX, FINRA, forensic reporting.
Stay Audit ReadySOC 2, GDPR, CCPA, eDiscovery forensics.
Safeguard Client TrustCMMC, NERC CIP, supply chain compliance.
Secure the SupplyPCI DSS, SOC 2, privacy audits.
Prove Compliance FastCMMC, NIST 800-171, ISO 27001, OSHA IT compliance.
Build Without BreachThe dates listed here are enforcement deadlines, not starting guns. Real-world remediation and evidence generation typically take 6 to 12 months to complete. Retroactive compliance is impossible. To meet the mandatory audit requirements for Phases 1 and 2, your preparation must begin today.
If you wait until a contract requires CMMC to start your journey, you have already missed the bid.
| Phase | Official Deadline | What Changes | Operational Reality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Nov 10, 2025 | Self-Assessments Required: Level 1 and Level 2 self-assessments begin appearing in new contracts as a condition of award. | Your "Go" Date is Now. To sign a self-assessment in late 2025 without committing fraud, your SSP and SPRS scores must be accurate and defensible today. |
| Phase 2 | Nov 10, 2026 | Audits Become Mandatory: Level 2 third-party assessments (C3PAO) become mandatory for many new contract awards. | Evidence Gathering Starts Early 2026. Assessors require historical evidence that controls have been functioning over time. You cannot build a track record overnight. |
| Phase 3 | Nov 10, 2027 | Full Contract Expansion: Level 3 requirements activate, and CMMC checks become standard options in all solicitations. | High-Value Contracts at Risk. Primes will aggressively filter their supply chains well before this date to ensure their own eligibility is not compromised. |
| Phase 4 | Nov 10, 2028 | Total Enforcement: All applicable DoD contracts involving FCI or CUI require full CMMC compliance. | Zero Tolerance. At this stage, lack of certification results in immediate exclusion from the Defense Industrial Base. |
A quick guide to how CMMC works, what’s required, and how CompassMSP supports certification readiness.
CompassMSP supports CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 certification preparedness based on contract requirements, data scope, and assessment expectations. These levels apply to organizations handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Yes. NIST 800-171 is foundational to CMMC Level 2, and our approach is built around aligning technical controls, processes, and documentation to NIST 800-171 requirements in a way that holds up under assessment.
Yes. We support organizations through readiness assessments, gap remediation, documentation development, and pre-assessment validation to ensure controls and evidence are aligned with assessor expectations before a formal review.
No. CompassMSP works alongside internal IT, security, and operations teams, providing structure, expertise, and accountability while enabling your team to remain owners of the environment.
CMMC scope and effort are influenced by how CUI flows through your environment, the size of your enclave, existing control maturity, and documentation quality. Our approach focuses on reducing unnecessary scope while maintaining compliance integrity.
Yes. CMMC requires ongoing control effectiveness and documented oversight. We help organizations maintain alignment as systems, users, and requirements evolve to reduce the risk of regression.
CMMC is built on real cybersecurity practices. CompassMSP aligns compliance requirements with day-to-day security operations, ensuring controls are practical, enforceable, and defensible rather than paper-based.
CMMC applies to defense contractors and subcontractors that handle FCI or CUI as part of Department of Defense contracts, including organizations throughout the Defense Industrial Base supply chain.
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