Achieving CMMC compliance requires structured execution across documentation, technology, and operations. Roughly 50-70% of this journey can be accomplished via Atomus’ platform, automation, and security tooling, with the remaining 30% requiring documentation finalization, change management, and customer-owned actions. This guide helps customers build the right mindset and approach toward certification.
Important: No one can guarantee a pass in the certification process. However, leveraging Atomus’ expertise and repeated engagements across similar environments ensures you are better prepared each time.
Atomus-Led Support
Atomus will lead or assist in completing:
- Automated patching and vulnerability monitoring
- Compliance registers and evidence management
- Remaining Change Management items on the Compliance Portal
- Security reports
- CUI data flow diagrams
- Network topology diagrams
- Finalized System Security Plan (SSP) and POA&M
- Updated scoping and boundary documentation
- Guidance on assessment preparation and documentation upload
Estimated Atomus Time Commitment: X hours over 8-12 weeks
Customer Responsibilities
These areas require your direct engagement:
- Personnel security policies and enforcement
- Physical access controls
- Local and unmanaged network infrastructure
- Security training for all personnel, including those outside assessment scope
- Acknowledgment of policies and procedure adherence
- Asset identification and inventory review
Estimated Customer Time Commitment: ~40 hours (for a simple local network)
Why Organizations Are Choosing to Certify Now
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Future Contract Risk (Regulatory Impact)
The CMMC final rule is imminent. DoD contracts starting in FY 2026 are likely to include DFARS clauses requiring third-party certification. Primes such as Lockheed Martin, NAVFAC, and USAF are already requesting SSPs or minimum SPRS scores. Space Force has also begun requiring a minimum SPRS score of 50 in several notices. Not preparing now may put renewals and re-competes at high risk.
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Competitive Advantage
Certified organizations are better positioned in proposal evaluations, especially where security posture is a scoring criterion. Certification demonstrates operational maturity and readiness to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
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Avoiding the Rush & Limited Audit Availability
The availability of Certified Third Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) is limited. Early certification ensures predictable scheduling, pricing, and preparation support—avoiding market congestion.
The CMMC Stages
Atomus recommends thinking about certification in structured stages:
- CMMC Level 1 Self-Assessment submitted on SPRS
- CMMC Level 2 Self-Assessment submitted on SPRS
- CMMC Level 2 Ready
- CMMC Level 2 Scheduled Audit
- CMMC Level 2 Documents Prepared
- CMMC Level 2 Documents Submitted
- CMMC Level 2 Certified
Note: Atomus is right now actively building automation/products and features specifically to help customers reach CMMC Level 1 self-assessed and submitted to SPRS—the first and most critical step.
Bridging the Gap Between NIST 800-171 and CMMC
There is a significant gap between NIST 800-171 compliance and achieving CMMC certification. This includes documentation and flows such as:
- CUI Data Flow
- Network Diagram
- Scoping Exercises
Engaging with auditors too early can waste effort. The appropriate time to engage with auditors is once you have achieved CMMC Level 2 Ready. At that point, you have the necessary documentation and preparation to maximize efficiency, save time, and reduce cost.
Audit Process (Post-Readiness)
- Proposal & Engagement
- Auditor sends a 3-page questionnaire
- Customer completes and returns questionnaire
- Auditor delivers a fixed-price proposal within 24–48 hours
- Proposal includes scope, pricing, and payment structure
- 50% upfront payment required
- Cost determined by systems, people, and environment complexity
- Assessment Timeline (~6 Weeks)
- Scheduling: Initiated with 45+ days’ notice
- Kickoff Call: Define scope, meet assessors (1 hour)
- Readiness Review: Review SSP/POA&M for gaps (go/no-go decision)
- Document Review Week: Upload materials to secure portal, auditors check compliance
- Interview Week: 3–5 days of control owner interviews, possible site visit
- Final Week: Report finalization and certificate issuance
Key Considerations
- Documentation Quality Matters: Poor templates or weak evidence can stall certification. In one case, using the wrong NIST template required a full rework.
- Outcomes:
- Partial Pass (≥80%): 6-month remediation window
- Fail (<80%): Must restart with new audit engagement
Working with AtomusOne Audit Partners
We recommend working with AtomusOne Audit partners due to their familiarity with Atomus systems and proven track record. This ensures a smoother, more efficient process.
When ready, reach out to success@atomuscyber.com, and we can connect you with an appropriate partner.
Handling Contract-Specific Clarifications
If your prime or end-customer provides specific clarification (e.g., clauses showing up in your contract soon), please notify Atomus. We will review these requirements and begin sharing additional guidance to ensure alignment.
Shared vs. Organizational Responsibilities
Certain control families have shared responsibility between Atomus and your organization. Specifically:
- 3.2 – Awareness and Training
- 3.9 – Personnel Security
- 3.10 – Physical Protection
- 3.13 – System and Communications Protection (especially if you have a local network)
Final Note
This journey requires close collaboration between Atomus and your organization. By following a structured approach, engaging at the right stages, and leveraging Atomus’ platform, you can position your organization for success in CMMC certification.
It is important for you to reach out to Atomus team to plan your timeline and work with our audit partners.