If your business works with the Department of Defense (DoD), you know cybersecurity compliance is non-negotiable. Defense contractors must now have the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0, and a failed audit could lose you valuable contracts.
For DoD contractors, now is the time to improve their organization’s cybersecurity. The release of CMMC 2.0 is just one of many signals that the DoD is truly serious about enhanced cybersecurity. Don’t wait until the new framework becomes a mandatory requirement.
A last-minute scramble won’t cut it, either. Proper preparation is key. Successful organizations take a structured approach and start auditing their cybersecurity maturity early. To help you get ahead, here are seven key steps to ensure a smooth and successful CMMC audit in 2025.
1. Determine Your Required CMMC Level
Before you start a CMMC audit, it’s important to understand what CMMC level your organization needs to comply with. The CMMC 2.0 framework includes three levels, each increasing the types of security requirements.
- Level 1 (Foundational) is for companies that process Federal Contract Information (FCI); it contains 17 basic cyber hygiene practices.
- Level 2 (Advanced) is for organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This level matches NIST 800-171 and covers 110 security controls.
- Level 3 (Expert) is for companies working with very sensitive CUI. This level requires compliance with NIST 800-172.
Be sure to understand what level of certification you must have to avoid any later surprises. If unsure, contact a CMMC Registered Practitioner (RP) for guidance.
2. Conduct a Gap Analysis
The next step is to understand where your organization currently resides. A gap analysis will compare your existing security practices and processes to the CMMC requirements and point to areas you need to improve.
First, assess your current security posture against the CMMC. What are you already doing well, and what areas do you need to prioritize for remediation? This process allows you to fix any vulnerabilities before proceeding.
The benefits of Gap Assessment go beyond pointing you to where exactly you are not meeting compliance. It also sheds more light on areas and how to improve them. Skipping this step may cause more business waste—i.e., doing the wrong things right ((and very likely missing security holes)
3. Implement and Strengthen Security Controls
Identifying gaps is only the beginning. The real work starts with fixing them. CMMC audits don’t just evaluate whether security policies exist—they assess how well they are implemented and maintained.
The key areas to pay attention to include:
- Access controls
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Encryption
- Incident response
- Continuous monitoring.
If you have Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in your organization, you must comply with NIST 800-171 REV 3. This means that all 110 security requirements must be in place.
Depending on technical solutions or staff training, many security upgrades will take time. So, the earlier you start, the better.
4. Document Everything
CMMC auditors need proof that security controls are implemented and maintained. If you don’t have proper documentation, an auditor may fail your fully implemented security control. For example, you must ensure that:
- Your System Security Plan (SSP) includes documentation on your cybersecurity policies, procedures, and system architecture
- The Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) explains how you plan to close any remaining gaps.
- You have incident response plans, security training records, and access control logs.
Good documentation isn’t just about passing audits; it also makes you more resilient against cyber-attacks.
5. Conduct a Mock Audit
The only way to fully prepare for an audit is to conduct one yourself. A mock audit will help you identify weaknesses in your compliance before the actual audit. Start by internally evaluating your security practices with the CMMC assessment guide.
To simulate a real audit, consider hiring a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) to conduct the pre-assessment. This will accurately indicate how well your security controls are likely to fare under an official audit.
Conducting a mock audit also helps acclimatize employees to the types of questions and document requests they can expect. The more comfortably they handle these requests, the better things will likely go during the audit.
6. Train Your Team on Compliance Requirements
Cybersecurity isn’t all about technology. No matter how state-of-the-art your security systems are, they can be compromised if your employees aren’t adhering to best practices.
Human error continues to be one of the most significant cybersecurity threats. This is why regular training is so vital for CMMC compliance.
Employees must be trained in phishing awareness, securing passwords, handling CUI, and reporting cyber incidents. All company personnel must understand how they support compliance, even if they do not directly work with sensitive data.
7. Schedule Your Official CMMC Audit
Schedule your official CMMC audit when you have confidence in your compliance. The first step is to choose a Certified Third-Party Assessor (C3PAO) from the CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) marketplace.
A CMMC audit involves examining your security controls, documentation, and overall compliance posture. Depending on the CMMC level you seek, the auditors and assessors will conduct the audit on-site, near your business location, or virtually.
If you pass, you’ll be issued a certification that allows you to bid on DoD contracts. If there are deficiencies, you’ll instead be given an official POA&M (Plan of Action & Milestones) that outlines what needs to happen to become compliant.
Final Thoughts
CMMC compliance is about much more than just passing an audit. It further builds a strong cybersecurity foundation for securing sensitive government data. Organizations that embrace that mindset and approach proactively and structure will achieve certification and improve their overall security posture.
If you’re planning a CMMC audit, the key to success lies in preparation, documentation, and cybersecurity awareness. Start now, identify any compliance gaps, work on fixing them, and ensure your team is prepared for the audit process.
