This confusion has opened the door for misleading claims that can put contractors at risk of failed assessments, wasted resources, and delayed contract eligibility. Understanding what a C3PAO is authorized to do is a critical step in protecting your organization’s path to certification.
What a C3PAO Is Authorized to Do
The Cyber AB accredits and authorized C3PAOs.Their role is limited, clearly defined, and focused on one outcome: determining whether an Organization Seeking Certification (OSC) meets the required CMMC level based on objective evidence.
A C3PAO evaluates implemented controls, reviews documentation, examines evidence, and conducts interviews to verify compliance. If the OSC meets the requirements, the C3PAO issues the certification decision.
What a C3PAO Is Not Allowed to Do
A legitimate C3PAO does not provide CMMC readiness services to organizations it may assess, such as step-by-step preparation support. These restrictions exist to protect the independence and integrity of the certification process. When an assessor also acts as an advisor, the objectivity of the assessment is compromised. The Department of Defense and Cyber AB prohibit this conflict of interest.
How Misleading C3PAO Claims Can Harm Contractors
Some vendors blur the line between readiness support and certified assessment services, creating confusion about what each role is permitted to do. When organizations misunderstand these distinctions, they may rely on providers who are not authorized to perform official assessments or who imply certification authority they do not possess. This can lead contractors to believe they are prepared for certification when gaps still exist in controls, documentation, or evidence. The result can be failed assessments, unexpected remediation work, additional costs, and delays in securing Department of Defense contract eligibility.
The Proper Path to CMMC Certification
Defense contractors seeking CMMC certification should approach the process in two distinct phases. The first phase is readiness. Organizations may choose to work with a Cyber AB Registered Provider Organization, or RPO, to assess gaps, remediate controls, and prepare documentation. RPOs are authorized to provide pre-assessment consulting and readiness support.
The second phase is certification. Once an organization is confident that required controls are implemented and evidence is complete, it engages a certified C3PAO to conduct the official assessment. Maintaining this separation protects both the contractor and the credibility of the certification.
How to Identify a Legitimate C3PAO
When selecting a C3PAO, contractors should verify authorization through the Cyber AB marketplace. Clear boundaries, documented assessment processes, and adherence to conflict-of-interest rules are signs of a trustworthy assessment organization.
As an authorized C3PAO, IBSS conducts independent, objective CMMC assessments aligned with Department of Defense requirements. We adhere strictly to the standards that preserve the integrity of the certification process.
Book Your Free Consultation Today
For defense contractors seeking CMMC C3PAO Level 2 assessment services, IBSS is the trusted choice. As an authorized C3PAO with decades of experience, ISO and CMMI certifications, and deep expertise in DoD requirements, IBSS delivers assessments that are fast, thorough, and reliable, assisting contractors to meet DoD standards and NIST SP 800-171 compliance with confidence.
Book your CMMC C3PAO Level 2 eligibility call today or email us at CMMCC3PAO@ibsscorp.com to start the path toward certification with a team that knows the process inside and out.
About IBSS
Since 1992, IBSS has provided transformational cybersecurity services to the Federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. IBSS is an Authorized C3PAO, a designation granted by The Cyber AB (CMMC Accreditation Body) under the guidance of the Department of Defense (DoD). This authorization confirms that our organization has successfully completed the rigorous process required to assess the cybersecurity posture of organizations within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) against the requirements of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC).
- Authorized by: The Cyber AB (Official Accreditation Body)
- Listing Verification: https://cyberab.org/Member/C3PAO-2829-Ibss-Corp
- Relevant Standards: C3PAO Authorization, CMMI SVC Level 3 and DEV Level 3, ISO 9001:2015 Certified Quality Management System, ISO/IEC 20000-1:2018 Certified Information Technology Services Management (ITSM), ISO/IEC 27001-2022 Certified Information Security Management Systems (ISMS), ISO/IEC 17020:2012 Compliance (in progress).
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Keywords: CMMC, Authorized C3PAO, DoD Requirements, NIST SP 800-171, Cybersecurity, DIB, Cyber AB
