Choosing the Right C3PAO | MAD Security Town Hall Recap February 2025

Watch the February MAD Security Town Hall Webinar replay 👇

Selecting the Right C3PAO: Why it Matters Now More Than Ever

February’s MAD Security Town Hall, hosted by Adam Starnes and featuring cybersecurity leader Cliff Neve, provided urgent guidance for defense contractors navigating CMMC 2.0 compliance. Attendees included primes, subcontractors, and IT leaders across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) who are preparing for or actively pursuing CMMC Level 2 certification. With timelines tightening and enforcement increasing, the pressure to get assessment-ready is real, and selecting a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) is a critical milestone in that journey.

In this month’s session, MAD Security reaffirmed its commitment to simplifying the cybersecurity challenge, drawing on deep experience, veteran leadership, and a proven record of supporting DIB clients through both JSVA and CMMC assessments.

Key Takeaways Recap from the February Town Hall

	Documentation Gaps The #1 Cause of CMMC Assessment Failure	Contrary to common assumptions, most organizations don’t fail due to technical flaws but rather because of missing or misaligned documentation. Your tools and controls may be operational, but if the artifacts aren't documented, your assessor will treat them as non-existent. “If it’s not documented, it doesn’t exist — and auditors will call it out.”
	Assessment Readiness Requires a Step-by-Step Strategy	The path to assessment success is The path to audit success is methodical: Understand the CMMC requirements Conduct a Gap Assessment Implement required security controls Prepare evidence and documentation Engage a C3PAO Maintain compliance through continuous monitoring Each skipped step risks assessment delays, higher costs, or failure.
	Not All C3PAOs Are the Same — Choose Strategically	When selecting a C3PAO, MAD Security recommends evaluating: Accreditation status and NIST 800-171 experience Familiarity with your specific industry and environment Transparency around scope and timelines Availability — many C3PAOs now have waitlists of 3–12 months Remember: C3PAOs cannot provide consulting. Preparation must be handled separately.
	JSVA vs. CMMC Assessments Lessons From the Field	JSVA (Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessments) served as a bridge to CMMC 2.0 and offered a more collaborative path. While now sunset, those who participated gained critical insight into what assessors expect. This includes Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) enclave design, documentation requirements, and evidence expectations – insights MAD now uses to prepare clients for success.
	Early Engagement = Lower Risk + Lower Cost	Engaging an RPO like MAD Security early prevents scope missteps and costly remediation. As Cliff noted, “CMMC assessments are like a 100% guaranteed IRS audit — wouldn’t you want an expert assessor guiding you from the start?”

Q&A Highlights

Why MAD Security?

• CMMC Level 2 Certified MSSP
• Perfect 110 SPRS Scores for clients
• Cyber-AB Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO)
• Top 250 MSSPs globally for 4 years
• 24/7 U.S.-Based SOC in Huntsville, AL
• Experts in DFARS, NIST 800-171, and CMMC 2.0
• Same Experts, Same Audit — the team that passed MAD’s audit helps clients pass theirs
• 15+ years of DIB cybersecurity experience
• No Rip-and-Replace — we integrate with Microsoft, Fortinet, etc.
• Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB)

🔐 Compliance is not just a checkbox — it’s a competitive advantage.

Why Act Now?

Waiting to prepare can cause:

• Failed assessments
• Contract loss
• Costly remediation
• Increased vendor scrutiny

With CMMC Level 2 now active and assessment backlogs forming, starting now ensures better CUI scoping, evidence collection, and assessor scheduling. Preparation leads to:

• Lower stress
• Predictable outcomes
• Strategic contract positioning

⚠️ Documentation gaps are the #1 reason companies fail their CMMC assessments.

Free Resources and Next Steps

Explore these essential tools and connect with our experts:
CMMC Master Bundle
CMMC Assessment Guide
Free Pre-Assessment Tool
🧰 Download our free pre-assessment to see how assessment-ready you are.

Final Thoughts

Cybersecurity is a continuous journey, not a one-time certification. As a DIB contractor, your resilience, competitiveness, and compliance depend on taking early and informed action.

At MAD Security, we stand ready to simplify your path. With deep CMMC experience, unmatched DIB focus, and a commitment to client success, we are your trusted partner in preparing, passing, and thriving post-certification.

Let’s get started. Schedule a call today.

Watch the February MAD Security Town Hall Webinar replay 👇

Originally Published: February 20, 2025

By: MAD Security