Assessment Prep That Works | MAD Security Town Hall Recap – September 2025

Written by MAD Security | October 2, 2025

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With CMMC 2.0 moving toward full enforcement and 48 CFR updates imminent, many defense contractors are facing increased pressure to ensure they are assessment-ready. In our September 2025 Town Hall, we tackled a topic that’s critical but often misunderstood when preparing for a CMMC Level 2 assessment: the difference between dry runs and mock assessments.

Hosted by Adam Starnes (Account Manager) and Jaclyn Jones (Head of Compliance), this month’s cybersecurity webinar helped organizations understand when, why, and how to apply these valuable exercises for real-world assessment success.

As a CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP and trusted Registered Provider Organization (RPO), MAD Security works exclusively with companies in the Defense Industrial Base to align compliance with practical security operations. If your organization handles Controlled Unclassified Information, this session is a must-watch.

Key Takeaways: What You Need to Know

Mock Assessments Simulate the Real CMMC Assessment

A mock assessment is a full-scale simulation of your CMMC Level 2 assessment, conducted in the same style and rigor as a C3PAO would—minus the official result.

Covers all 110 NIST 800-171 controls and 320 assessment objectives.
Provides a readiness report, SPRS score simulation, and a detailed Plan of Action and Milestones (POAM).
Identifies gaps especially those involving 3- and 5-point controls, which are not POAM-eligible under CMMC 2.0 rules.

If you Are preparing for a CMMC assessment, a mock gives you the visibility to address systemic risks before they become disqualifiers.

Dry Runs Prepare Your People to Prove Compliance

A dry run isn’t about scoring; it Is about team readiness.

Coaches each department (IT, HR, cybersecurity, vendors) to speak confidently during live assessment interviews.
Helps assign roles, prepare artifacts, and walk through expected scenarios.
Identifies whether your staff truly understands and follows the documented processes.

Dry runs are best used when you're nearing a perfect SPRS score of 110 and want to ensure your team can confidently demonstrate compliance under pressure.

Do You Need One, the Other, or Both?

Dry runs and mock assessments serve different purposes, and both add value depending on your maturity level:

Dry Run	Mock Assessment
Team rehearsal	Control validation
Live coaching	Compliance scoring
Ideal before interviews	Ideal before official assessment
No scoring	Readiness scoring and POAM

Some contractors start with a dry run to prepare their people others dive into a mock to test technical posture. Many choose both for comprehensive readiness.

C3PAOs Can’t Help You Prepare

While some assume a Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization can help them get ready with a pre-check, they’re not allowed to consult.

C3PAOs can assess, but they cannot:

Recommend fixes
Coach your team
Guide remediation

That’s where MAD Security steps in. As a CMMC RPO, we can prepare your team, simulate the assessment, and even sit in with you during the official process (if you’re a VCM client).

Failing a Mock Assessment Is a Win; If You Learn from It

A failed mock assessment is never reported and carries no penalty. Instead, it offers a risk-free environment to uncover gaps, fix issues, and rehearse the exact experience you’ll face with a C3PAO.

If a mock exposes a missed control, it’s better to find out now than during your official assessment when stakes are high and remediation windows are limited.

Q&A Highlights

Why Defense Contractors Trust MAD Security

MAD Security brings unparalleled CMMC assessment support to the Defense Industrial Base:

	CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP
	Perfect SPRS Score of 110
	Top 250 MSSP (4 years in a row)
	U.S.-Based 24/7 SOC in Huntsville, AL
	Staffed by cleared U.S. citizens
	15+ Years of cybersecurity and compliance
	Works with your existing stack: Microsoft, AWS, Google, PreVeil etc.
	Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)
	The same team that passed our own assessment helps clients pass theirs

We combine security operations and compliance consulting into one full-spectrum solution built specifically for DoD contractors.

Why You Should Act Now Before the Assessment Backlog Hits

As CMMC 2.0 enforcement expands and 48 CFR 52.204-21 becomes a contracting requirement, delays are already building:

	C3PAO availability is tightening
	Vendors are under pressure to prove compliance
	Remediation cycles can be lengthy
	Missed controls may delay or disqualify contracts

Dry runs and mock assessments ensure:

	Higher assessment success rates
	Fewer surprises
	Lower remediation costs
	Confident, well-prepared staff

Start now, while there’s still time to prepare strategically not reactively.

Free Resources and Next Steps

MAD Security offers free tools to help your team hit the ground running:

	CMMC Master Bundle: 5 essential compliance documents
	CMMC Assessment Guide: Your roadmap to passing
	Free 31-Question Pre-Assessment: Instant gap analysis
	Schedule a Free Consultation: Meet with our compliance team

Our resources are built to help you simplify complex requirements and accelerate readiness for CMMC Level 2 assessments.

Final Thoughts and Encouragement

CMMC success isn’t just about passing a checklist; it Is about creating a secure, resilient infrastructure your team can confidently defend and demonstrate. Whether your assessment is months or weeks away, MAD Security is ready to walk with you. Our dry runs and mock assessments have helped dozens of contractors pass on their first attempt.

Cybersecurity is a journey, not a finish line. Let’s take the next step together!

Original Published Date: October 02, 2025

By: MAD Security

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