Top 7 CMMC Assessment Checklist Resources

For the Department of Defense (DoD), cybersecurity is an ever-growing concern as malicious actors use increasingly complex tactics, such as Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs), to try to access sensitive government information. In response to these growing threats, the DoD has released the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 as a unified cybersecurity standard that organizations within the defense supply chain must follow to protect sensitive government data, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

For organizations within the defense industrial base (DIB), achieving and maintaining CMMC certification is then essential if they want to maintain compliance and remain eligible for future defense contracts. However, preparing for CMMC assessment can feel like a daunting task, and you are not alone if you feel overwhelmed by the CMMC certification process and are unsure where to start your compliance journey. The good news is that there are numerous resources available to help Organizations Seeking Certification (OSCs) prepare for their CMMC assessment. To help you start your CMMC certification journey, here’s a look at our top eight CMMC assessment resources.

1. The Department of Defense’s CMMC Resources Page

As you start preparing for CMMC assessment, a great place to start your compliance journey would be to visit the Department of Defense’s CMMC Resources and Documentation page. This page provides a wide range of helpful resources for organizations seeking CMMC certification, including an overview of the CMMC program, and assessment guides for all three CMMC levels. Towards the bottom of the page, the DoD also lists useful external resources for OSCs, including the Department of Defense Procurement Toolbox, which provides a wide range of resources for safeguarding sensitive government information.

2. The Cyber AB’s CMMC Assessment Process (CAP)

Formerly known as the CMMC Accreditation Body, the Cyber AB is the official partner of the Department of Defense responsible for managing the CMMC program, including accrediting, certifying, and training assessors such as CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs). As such, the Cyber AB provides a wide range of useful resources for OSCs and C3PAOs to help streamline the CMMC certification process. One such resource you may find useful is the Cyber AB’s CMMC Assessment Process (CAP). The CAP is the official procedure guide for C3PAOs conducting CMMC Level 2 certification assessments of OSCsand can help you better prepare for a formal CMMC Level 2 assessment.

3. The Cyber AB Marketplace

Another critical resource the Cyber AB provides OSCs is access to the Cyber AB Marketplace. The Marketplace provides a list of accredited entities vital to the CMMC ecosystem, including Registered Provider Organizations (RPOs), Licensed Training Providers, and Certified C3PAOs. The Cyber AB Marketplace is your best resource for finding trusted partners to help you prepare for CMMC assessment, as well as a qualified C3PAO once you’re ready for your formal assessment.

4. NIST SP 800-171 Assessment Guide

For organizations seeking CMMC Level 2 certification or higher, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with NIST SP 800-171, as CMMC Levels 2 and 3 require organizations to implement all 110 security controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171. A crucial resource to help you align your cybersecurity practices with NIST SP 800-171 would be NIST SP 800-171A, Assessing Security Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information. This document provides procedures and methodologies for organizations to help them assess their systems against security requirements in NIST SP 800-171. This can then prove to be a valuable resource as you move toward your internal CMMC audit.

5. CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide

As a DoD contractor handling CUI, you are likely required to meet CMMC Level 2. While many organizations turn directly to NIST 800-171 to understand the underlying security requirements, the Assessment Guide goes a step further, it translates those requirements into assessable, practical terms that align with how third-party assessors (C3PAOs) will measure compliance. Produced by the DoD CIO, the CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide is intended to break down each CMMC practice into the objectives required, which assessment methods might be used, and what the expected evidence should be.

Think of the CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide as the bridge between policy and implementation. NIST 800-171 tells you what must be secured; the CMMC Assessment Guide tells you how an assessor will confirm you did it.

For Agile IT clients, this distinction is critical. Many organizations have policies on paper but struggle to demonstrate compliance in practice. The Assessment Guide helps align internal checklists with real-world audit conditions, making certification achievable and less intimidating.

6. Microsoft’s Product Placement for CMMC

For organizations seeking certification who operate in a Microsoft environment, a particularly valuable resource that can help them achieve CMMC compliance would be the Microsoft Product Placemat for CMMC 2.0. The product placemat is an interactive tool that DoD contractors can use to see what Microsoft products and services align with the security requirements of CMMC 2.0. This tool can then prove extremely valuable, as it can help you identify the specific Microsoft services and licenses you need to secure the CUI you handle to maintain CMMC compliance. The Microsoft Product Placemat for CMMC is especially useful when it is paired with Microsoft’s Technical Reference Guide for CMMC.

7. Partner With an Experienced CMMC Registered Provider Organization (RPO)

Of course, one of the best ways to streamline the CMMC certification process would be to partner with a Cyber AB authorized Registered Provider Organization. RPOs are organizations vetted and approved by the Cyber AB to help OSCs develop and implement policies and procedures to help them achieve CMMC compliance and prepare for formal CMMC assessment. Some of the services RPOs provide include performing gap analyses to help OSCs identify potential issues in their cybersecurity practices, providing guidance on implementing the security controls required to align with CMMC standards, and developing necessary documents and procedures for CMMC compliance.

If you are starting your CMMC compliance journey and are considering partnering with an RPO to help streamline this process, look no further than Agile IT. Not only are we a Cyber AB authorized RPO, but as one of the first authorized Microsoft Partners approved to sell GCC High licenses, we have years of experience protecting the DIB and maintaining compliance with various federal cybersecurity standards, including CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, DFARS, ITAR, and FAR CUI. By working with us, you can feel assured that you are doing everything in your power to safeguard any CUI your organization stores, transmits, and handles. Feel free to contact us today to learn more about our services and how we can help streamline the CMMC compliance process.