Why a CMMC Dry Run Is Essential for Assessment Success

Beyond Implementation: Why CMMC Success Requires Demonstration Rehearsal

Preparing for a CMMC Level 2 certification assessment isn’t just about having cybersecurity controls in place; it is about proving those controls are implemented, effective, and well understood. For defense contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), conducting a CMMC dry run is the most effective way to reduce risk and ensure success.    

This structured rehearsal allows your organization to walk through each assessment objective, assign ownership, and validate supporting evidence well before formal assessors arrive.   

In this article, we will explore what a dry run involves, how it differs from other readiness efforts, and why it’s a strategic necessity for contractors navigating today’s compliance landscape. 

Eliminate Surprises, Build Confidence

A dry run rehearses the CMMC assessment process, giving your team a chance to rehearse how each control will be demonstrated. This is about execution, not theory. Who will speak to each control? What specific evidence will be presented? Will that evidence be shown via document review, live demo, or screen share? 

When your internal team and External Service Providers (ESPs) understand what to expect, the formal assessment becomes a coordinated effort, not a fire drill. A dry run eliminates surprises, boosts confidence, and ensures every stakeholder, including leadership, SMEs, and service providers, knows their role. 

With this proactive step, your organization moves from a reactive to a ready state, transforming uncertainty into actionable confidence. 

What Is a CMMC Dry Run

A CMMC dry run is a formal rehearsal. Unlike a gap assessment, which identifies where controls are missing or incomplete, a dry run assumes remediation has been done and shifts the focus to readiness under assessment conditions. 

It evaluates whether: 

• Each control has a clearly assigned owner 
  
• Expected type of evidence is available 
• Personnel are prepared to present and explain the evidence effectively 

MAD Security’s dry runs offer a risk-free environment to discover issues in documentation, coordination, or execution before assessors do. 

Benefits of Conducting a Dry Run

A dry run offers significant advantages for defense contractors preparing for CMMC Level 2 certification:

Build Your Assessment Playbook

One of the most impactful deliverables from a MAD Security dry run is the customized CMMC Assessment Playbook, a detailed roadmap your team can use during the formal assessment. 

For each control, the Playbook answers: 

Key Components of an Effective Dry Run

Not all dry runs are created equally. MAD Security’s process includes: 

Each of these elements helps surface operational or communication breakdowns before they impact your assessment.

The Role of Leadership and Internal Coordination 

Dry runs are successful when supported by strong internal coordination. That’s why MAD Security requires a designated Point of Contact (POC) who is empowered to: 

Practice Now, Certify with Confidence Later

CMMC certification can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Organizations that conduct a dry run are significantly more confident, organized, and successful during formal assessments. 

At MAD Security, we’ve helped hundreds of contractors prepare for assessments through our proven dry run methodology. With our team’s support, you will gain clarity on roles, evidence, presentation strategies, and assessment flow ensuring that nothing is left to chance.