We’ll explain what a Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) is, what they do, and why working with one is an essential step toward CMMC Level 2 compliance.
What Is a C3PAO?
A C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization) is an independent, accredited organization authorized by the Cyber AB (formerly the CMMC Accreditation Body) and the DoD to conduct formal CMMC assessments. Think of them as the auditors who verify whether your organization has implemented the required cybersecurity practices to handle sensitive government information – specifically, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Only organizations designated as C3PAOs are permitted to conduct CMMC Level 2 assessments, which are required for DoD contractors with contracts involving CUI.
What Does a C3PAO Do?
A C3PAO conducts a formal evaluation of your organization’s cybersecurity practices to determine if you meet the requirements of NIST SP 800-171, which forms the foundation of CMMC Level 2.
Here’s what that typically includes:
- Review of your System Security Plan (SSP)
- Interviews with key personnel to validate your cybersecurity practices
- Collection of technical and policy evidence
- Verification of all 110 required controls under NIST SP 800-171
- Final scoring and submission of your assessment results to the Cyber AB and DoD
Once you pass, your certification is valid for 3 years, though you must maintain compliance continuously.
Why Does a C3PAO Matter?
Passing a C3PAO assessment is your ticket to doing business with the DoD. Without it, you won’t be able to: (1) bid on or support applicable DoD contracts, or (2) demonstrate that your organization has the controls in place to designated CUI.
The assessment also validates your organization’s cybersecurity posture, showing prime contractors, subcontractors, and government agencies that you’re trustworthy and compliant.
A C3PAO ensures that:
- Your cybersecurity practices are objectively evaluated.
- You meet DoD standards for handling CUI.
- Your certification is officially recognized across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).
IBSS: A CMMC-Certified Assessment Provider You Can Trust
At IBSS, we’re not just compliance consultants. We are CMMC-certified to perform assessments. With decades of experience supporting federal cybersecurity initiatives, we bring both technical depth and a commitment to clarity in helping DoD contractors get certified and stay compliant.
Whether you’re just beginning your CMMC journey or preparing for your C3PAO assessment, our team can guide you every step of the way. Schedule a CMMC Readiness or Assessment Consultation today or send us an email at CMMCC3PAO@ibsscorp.com.
About IBSS
Since 1992, IBSS has provided transformational consulting services to the Federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. Our services include cybersecurity and enterprise information technology, environmental science and engineering (including oceans, coasts, climate, weather, and satellite), and professional management services.
Our approach is to serve our employees by investing in their growth and development. As a result, our employees bring greater capabilities and provide an exceptional level of service to our clients. In addition to creating career development opportunities for our employees, IBSS is passionate about giving back to the community. We strive to leave something better behind for the next generation.
We measure our success by the positive impact we have on our employees, clients, partners, and the communities we serve. Our tagline, Powered by Excellence, is a recognition of the employees that make up IBSS and ensures we deliver results with quality, applying industry best practices and certifications. Read more About Us.
Keywords: CMMC, C3PAO, DoD Requirements
