For DoD contractors, the official Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) assessment by a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) is a major milestone, but it’s far from the first step. Before the assessment begins, your organization should go through the readiness phase, a critical preparation period that can make or break your certification journey.

At Total Assure, we believe a strong readiness phase sets the foundation for success. Understanding what happens in this stage will help you approach your CMMC assessment with confidence and clarity. Let’s dive into the key elements of the readiness phase and why it’s essential.

What Is the Readiness Phase?

The readiness phase is the comprehensive preparation process that ensures your cybersecurity practices meet the specific requirements of your CMMC level before the formal assessment. Unlike the official assessment, which is performed by an independent C3PAO, the readiness phase is an internal or assisted effort focused on identifying gaps, remediating risks, documenting controls, and training staff. Think of it as the vital groundwork that makes the assessment process smoother, faster, and less stressful.

The Core Components of the Readiness Phase

1. Comprehensive Gap Assessment

The first step is to evaluate your current cybersecurity posture against the CMMC controls required for your certification level. This involves:

• Reviewing your existing policies, procedures, and technical controls.

• Interviewing key personnel to understand current practices.

• Evaluating risk management practices such as vulnerability scanning activities.

The result is a detailed gap report that highlights where your organization falls short and where improvements are necessary.

Example: A company might discover they have basic antivirus software but lack multi-factor authentication (MFA), which is required at their CMMC level.

2. Prioritized Remediation Planning

After identifying gaps, you need a clear, actionable plan to close them.

• Prioritize tasks based on risk.

• Assign responsibilities to team members or contractors.

• Validate the effective implementation of security controls.

This roadmap helps keep your project on track and ensures that critical compliance areas get addressed first.

3. Developing and Updating Policies and Procedures

Documentation is a cornerstone of CMMC compliance.

• Create or update cybersecurity policies such as access control, incident response, and data management.

• Ensure these policies reflect your actual practices.

• Make policies accessible to employees and integrate them into daily workflows.

Tip: Assessors expect documented evidence that policies are not just written but actively followed.

4. Technical Controls Implementation

Technical controls protect sensitive data and demonstrate your security maturity.

• Deploy or enhance firewalls, intrusion detection systems, encryption, and MFA.

• Configure systems to meet access and monitoring requirements.

• Regularly test controls to ensure effectiveness.

Technical readiness also means maintaining logs and evidence that controls are operational.

5. Employee Training and Awareness

Your cybersecurity efforts rely heavily on your team.

• Conduct training sessions tailored to roles and responsibilities.

• Emphasize the importance of compliance and reporting suspicious activity.

• Create a culture of security awareness to reduce human error.

Well-trained employees reduce risks like phishing and social engineering attacks.

6. Internal Review and Mock Assessments

Before the official C3PAO assessment, conducting internal reviews or mock assessments can reveal overlooked issues.

• Simulate the assessment process to practice interviews and documentation reviews.

• Use findings to adjust remediation efforts.

• Build confidence and readiness across your organization.

Why the Readiness Phase Matters

Skipping or rushing this phase can lead to failed audits, costly rework, and delayed contract awards. The readiness phase:

• Prevents surprises: Identifies weaknesses before assessors do.

• Saves money: Fixes issues proactively, avoiding expensive remediation after assessment failure.

• Builds confidence: Gives your team assurance they’re ready.

• Streamlines certification: Makes the official assessment faster and smoother.

How Total Assure Makes Your Readiness Phase Stress Free

At Total Assure, we specialize in guiding DoD contractors through the readiness phase with tailored services, including:

• Detailed, business-specific gap assessments.

• Clear remediation roadmaps with prioritization.

• Assistance writing and updating cybersecurity documentation.

• Hands-on technical control support.

• Employee training programs.

• Mock assessments to ensure you’re truly ready.

Our experts take the guesswork out of CMMC preparation, helping you meet requirements efficiently and confidently.

Preparing thoroughly before the C3PAO assessment is key to passing your CMMC assessment. Contact Total Assure today to learn how our comprehensive readiness services can set your organization up for success — and get you contract ready without the stress.