CMMC compliance and NIST 800-171 assessments — done right.
You built your company to serve the mission.
Compliance shouldn't be what stops you.
CMMC Phase 2 enforcement begins November 2026. After that date, defense contractors without certification lose access to DoD contracts requiring the handling of Controlled Unclassified Information.
Most contractors spend 12–18 months on the compliance journey — wrestling with 110 NIST 800-171 controls, generating documentation that survives C3PAO scrutiny, and spending six figures on firms that send junior staff.
One failed assessment doesn't just delay certification — it signals to every prime you work with that you're not mission-ready.
Discuss your compliance posture →Full-lifecycle compliance support, from initial gap analysis through successful C3PAO audit and quarterly compliance reviews.
Preparation and advisory for CMMC Level 2. From gap analysis and remediation guidance through documentation and C3PAO audit coordination.
Thorough evaluation against all 110 controls. Prioritized findings with a clear remediation roadmap and realistic timeline.
System Security Plans and Plans of Action & Milestones built to withstand assessor scrutiny. Documented to the standard that passes — first time.
Advisory guidance for CUI handling environments. Boundary definition, access control architecture, and assessment scope reduction strategies.
Periodic posture assessments, documentation updates, and remediation tracking. For continuous monitoring, CDS partners with managed security providers.
DFARS 252.204-7012 compliant procedures with 72-hour reporting workflows, forensic readiness planning, and tabletop exercises.
Eight authorizations to operate.
Zero failed assessments.
That's not a pitch — it's a track record.
A structured, repeatable methodology refined across classified programs and enterprise deployments. No guesswork. No wasted cycles.
Evaluate your security posture against all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. Deliver a prioritized gap report with a clear remediation roadmap.
Close identified gaps with proven solutions and policy frameworks. Generate your SSP, POA&M, and all supporting evidence.
Systematic evidence gathering and internal assessment. Every deficiency identified and resolved before the formal audit.
Direct support through the third-party assessment. Assessor coordination, evidence presentation, real-time issue resolution.
Every organization's compliance journey is different. Engagements are scoped during a confidential discovery call based on your environment, timeline, and compliance requirements.
Comprehensive gap analysis against NIST 800-171 with prioritized findings and a clear remediation roadmap.
End-to-end advisory from gap analysis through assessment-ready documentation. Scoped to your current posture and timeline.
Full certification advisory plus ongoing compliance partnership. From first assessment through certification and beyond.
CDS delivers your gap assessment, security plan, and remediation roadmap in 45–60 days. Full certification readiness — including your remediation and implementation — typically takes 6–12 months depending on your starting posture. Most contractors spend 12–18 months getting there; we compress that by front-loading the hardest work in the first 60 days.
A failed C3PAO assessment means re-engagement fees, timeline resets of 3–6 months, and a signal to prime contractors that your organization may not be mission-ready. Our founder has authored eight authorizations to operate with zero failed assessments across his career in defense cybersecurity — because we don't submit for audit until evidence is airtight.
Level 1 covers 15 basic cyber hygiene practices with self-assessment. Level 2 requires implementation of all 110 NIST 800-171 controls. Depending on the contract, Level 2 may require either a self-assessment or a third-party assessment by a certified C3PAO. Level 2 applies to any contractor handling Controlled Unclassified Information. If your contracts reference DFARS 252.204-7012, you almost certainly need Level 2.
Not always. If your entire network already meets NIST 800-171 requirements, a separate enclave isn't necessary. But most contractors handling CUI benefit from a dedicated enclave with defined boundaries, access controls, and monitoring. An enclave reduces your assessment scope and simplifies evidence collection. CDS designs compliant CUI enclaves as part of full certification engagements.
Large consultancies carry overhead — account managers, junior analysts, partner margins. CDS is principal-led: the consultant who scopes your engagement is the same person who executes it. No handoffs, no learning curves, no billable hours wasted on internal coordination. You're paying for precision, not headcount.
Request a consultation to assess your compliance posture and define the clearest path to certification before November 2026.
