One factor stands out above all others: assessment availability. With a finite number of authorized C3PAOs and a growing pool of contractors requiring certification, assessment scheduling is no longer a last-step task. It is now a business-critical decision.
The 2026 Assessment Landscape: More Demand Than Capacity
Many organizations delayed reaching out to a C3PAO in 2024 and 2025, because they were awaiting official implementation and final ruling. That pause is ending.
In 2026, multiple groups of contractors will converge:
- Organizations newly required to validate Level 2 compliance to maintain contract eligibility
- Contractors seeking certification to pursue upcoming CUI-bearing opportunities
At the same time, the number of authorized C3PAOs remains limited, and assessment teams are finite. The result is predictable: longer wait times, tighter scheduling windows, and increased risk of losing contracts for organizations that wait too long to plan their assessment.
What 2025 Revealed About Assessment Readiness
Industry experience throughout 2025 highlighted several consistent challenges for contractors pursuing Level 2 certification.
Readiness gaps persist
A significant portion of the Defense Industrial Base entered 2025 believing they were closer to compliance than they actually were. While many had implemented technical controls, fewer had fully operationalized governance, documentation, and evidence collection, all essential for a successful assessment.
Documentation and evidence continue to be decisive
Assessment delays and failures most often stemmed not from missing tools, but from incomplete System Security Plans (SSPs), unclear control implementation narratives, and insufficient objective evidence. These issues frequently surfaced late in the process, increasing cost and frustration.
Assessment timing became a risk factor in 2025
Organizations that waited to engage a C3PAO often found themselves constrained by assessor availability. Assessment delays had direct implications for bidding timelines or contract continuity.
The Value of Early Assessment Planning
While C3PAOs cannot provide readiness consulting or remediation services, early engagement still provides meaningful advantages for organizations that are already preparing for certification.
Early planning allows contractors to:
- Secure an assessment window during periods of peak demand
- Align internal readiness efforts with realistic assessment timelines
- Avoid last-minute scheduling pressure that can disrupt operations or contract pursuits
When assessment timing is addressed early, organizations retain control over the process rather than reacting to external constraints.
IBSS’ Role as a C3PAO
IBSS is an authorized C3PAO focused exclusively on conducting independent, objective CMMC Level 2 assessments. Our responsibility is to evaluate whether an organization has fully implemented NIST SP 800-171 requirements and can demonstrate compliance through documented processes and evidence.
We do not guide organizations through readiness or remediation. Contractors seeking preparation support should work with qualified Registered Provider Organizations (RPOs) prior to assessment. Once an organization is ready, IBSS provides a structured, professional assessment experience grounded in consistency, integrity, and clarity.
As demand for Level 2 assessments increases in 2026, IBSS is prepared to support organizations that plan ahead and approach certification with readiness and transparency.
Ready for Your CMMC Level 2 Assessment?
If your organization is ready for its CMMC Level 2 assessment, IBSS is now accepting engagements. Request a CMMC Level 2 Assessment slot or email us at C3PAO@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).
Read more About Us.
Keywords: CMMC, Authorized C3PAO, DoD Requirements, NIST SP 800-171, Cybersecurity, DIB, Cyber AB
