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EPC Group

Enterprise Microsoft consulting with 29 years serving Fortune 500 companies.

(888) 381-9725
contact@epcgroup.net
4900 Woodway Drive, Suite 830
Houston, TX 77056

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About EPC Group

EPC Group is a Microsoft consulting firm founded in 1997 (originally Enterprise Project Consulting, renamed EPC Group in 2005). 29 years of enterprise Microsoft consulting experience. EPC Group historically held the distinction of being the oldest continuous Microsoft Gold Partner in North America from 2016 until the program's retirement. Because Microsoft officially deprecated the Gold/Silver tiering framework, EPC Group transitioned to the modern Microsoft Solutions Partner ecosystem and currently holds the core Microsoft Solutions Partner designations.

Headquartered at 4900 Woodway Drive, Suite 830, Houston, TX 77056. Public clients include NASA, FBI, Federal Reserve, Pentagon, United Airlines, PepsiCo, Nike, and Northrop Grumman. 6,500+ SharePoint implementations, 1,500+ Power BI deployments, 500+ Microsoft Fabric implementations, 70+ Fortune 500 organizations served, 11,000+ enterprise engagements, 200+ Microsoft Power BI and Microsoft 365 consultants on staff.

About Errin O'Connor

Errin O'Connor is the Founder, CEO, and Chief AI Architect of EPC Group. Microsoft MVP multiple years, first awarded 2003. 4× Microsoft Press bestselling author of Windows SharePoint Services 3.0 Inside Out (MS Press 2007), Microsoft SharePoint Foundation 2010 Inside Out (MS Press 2011), SharePoint 2013 Field Guide (Sams/Pearson 2014), and Microsoft Power BI Dashboards Step by Step (MS Press 2018).

Original SharePoint Beta Team member (Project Tahoe). Original Power BI Beta Team member (Project Crescent). FedRAMP framework contributor. Worked with U.S. CIO Vivek Kundra on the Obama administration's 25-Point Plan to reform federal IT, and with NASA CIO Chris Kemp as Lead Architect on the NASA Nebula Cloud project. Speaker at Microsoft Ignite, SharePoint Conference, KMWorld, and DATAVERSITY.

© 2026 EPC Group. All rights reserved. Microsoft, SharePoint, Power BI, Azure, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Copilot, Microsoft Fabric, and Microsoft Dynamics 365 are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

EPC Group helps DoD contractors achieve CMMC 2.0 certification. We cover Level 1 through Level 3 — gap assessment, remediation, policy documentation, technical controls via Microsoft GCC/GCC High, and C3PAO assessment preparation. Most Level 2 programs reach certification-ready status in 6–12 months.

Key Facts

  • CMMC 2.0 is mandatory for all DoD contractors handling FCI or CUI.
  • Level 2 requires full NIST 800-171 compliance (110 controls) and a C3PAO third-party assessment for priority contracts.
  • Level 3 adds NIST 800-172 controls and a government-led assessment.
  • EPC Group holds Microsoft GCC and GCC High expertise — the required cloud environments for CUI under CMMC.
  • Compliance timelines: Level 2 certification typically takes 6–12 months. HIPAA takes 4–8 months. FedRAMP takes 9–18 months.
  • EPC Group supports HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP, CMMC, GDPR, CCPA, FERPA, FINRA, and the EU AI Act.

CMMC Compliance Consulting Services | DoD Contractor Certification

Expert Microsoft consulting and implementation

HomeServicesCMMC Compliance Consulting
DoD Contractor Compliance

CMMC Compliance Consulting for Defense Contractors

Achieve CMMC 2.0 certification with confidence. Expert assessment, gap analysis, remediation, and certification preparation for DoD contractors protecting CUI.

Get CMMC AssessmentView Success Stories
100%
Assessment Success
200+
DoD Contractors Served
29
Years Experience
CMMC-AB
Registered Provider
Critical Compliance

Why CMMC Compliance is Essential

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is now mandatory for DoD contractors. Without certification, you cannot bid on or retain defense contracts.

Contract Eligibility

CMMC certification is required for all DoD contracts involving CUI. Non-compliant contractors will be excluded from bidding.

CUI Protection

Protect Controlled Unclassified Information with security controls that meet DoD requirements and prevent data breaches.

Competitive Advantage

Early certification positions your organization ahead of competitors and opens new contract opportunities.

Our Services

Comprehensive CMMC Compliance Services

End-to-end CMMC compliance support from initial assessment through certification and ongoing compliance maintenance.

CMMC Readiness Assessment

Comprehensive evaluation of your current cybersecurity posture against CMMC 2.0 requirements to identify gaps and risks.

  • Current state security assessment
  • Policy and procedure review
  • Technical controls evaluation
  • CUI scope identification

Gap Analysis & Remediation

Detailed gap analysis with prioritized remediation roadmap to achieve compliance efficiently and cost-effectively.

  • Control-by-control gap assessment
  • Risk-based prioritization
  • Remediation cost estimation
  • Implementation timeline

Policy & Documentation

Development of comprehensive security policies, procedures, and System Security Plans (SSP) aligned with NIST 800-171.

  • System Security Plan (SSP)
  • Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
  • Security policies & procedures
  • Employee training materials

Technical Implementation

Hands-on implementation of technical security controls including access management, encryption, and monitoring.

  • Access control implementation
  • Encryption deployment
  • Security monitoring setup
  • Incident response configuration

Certification Preparation

End-to-end support for C3PAO assessment preparation, mock assessments, and evidence collection.

  • Mock assessments
  • Evidence collection & organization
  • C3PAO assessment preparation
  • Assessment day support

Continuous Compliance

Ongoing monitoring, annual assessments, and continuous improvement to maintain CMMC certification.

  • Continuous monitoring
  • Annual self-assessments
  • Security awareness training
  • Compliance maintenance
CMMC 2.0 Framework

Understanding CMMC Levels & Requirements

CMMC 2.0 streamlines the framework to three levels based on the sensitivity of information and contract requirements.

Level 1

Foundational

17 practices

Basic cyber hygiene for Federal Contract Information (FCI) protection. Annual self-assessment required.

Key Requirements

  • FCI protection only
  • Annual self-assessment
  • No CUI handling
  • Basic access controls
Level 2

Advanced

110 practices

Full NIST SP 800-171 implementation for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) protection.

Key Requirements

  • CUI protection required
  • C3PAO assessment (for priority contracts)
  • Self-assessment (for non-priority)
  • Complete NIST 800-171
Level 3

Expert

110+ practices

Enhanced protection against Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs) with additional NIST SP 800-172 controls.

Key Requirements

  • APT protection
  • Government-led assessment
  • NIST 800-172 subset
  • Highest security contracts
Microsoft Government Cloud

Microsoft GCC & GCC High for CMMC Compliance

Leverage Microsoft's Government Community Cloud solutions to meet CMMC requirements. We specialize in migrating and configuring Microsoft 365 GCC and GCC High environments for defense contractors.

Migration from commercial Microsoft 365 to GCC/GCC High
Azure Government enclave configuration
Conditional access and data loss prevention policies
Security monitoring with Microsoft Defender
Compliance Manager for CMMC tracking
Secure collaboration with Teams and SharePoint
Discuss GCC Migration

Microsoft 365 GCC

Government Community Cloud meeting FedRAMP Moderate standards for federal agencies and contractors.

  • FedRAMP Moderate
  • US-based datacenters
  • US persons support
  • Standard compliance

Microsoft 365 GCC High

Enhanced government cloud meeting FedRAMP High and DoD SRG IL4/IL5 for CUI and sensitive data.

  • FedRAMP High
  • DoD SRG IL4/IL5
  • ITAR compliant
  • CUI protection ready

Azure Government

Dedicated government cloud infrastructure for hosting CMMC-compliant applications and data.

  • Isolated government regions
  • CMMC enclave ready
  • Hybrid connectivity
  • Security monitoring

Defender for Government

Advanced threat protection and security monitoring designed for government compliance requirements.

  • XDR capabilities
  • Threat intelligence
  • Compliance dashboards
  • Incident response
Why Choose EPC Group

Defense Contractor Compliance Expertise

With 29 years of government and defense sector experience, we bring unmatched expertise to CMMC compliance engagements.

CMMC Registered Provider

Officially registered with the CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) as a Registered Provider Organization (RPO).

Microsoft GCC Experts

Deep expertise in Microsoft GCC, GCC High, and Azure Government for CMMC-compliant environments.

Proven Methodology

Battle-tested assessment and remediation methodology refined across 200+ defense contractor engagements.

Dedicated CMMC Team

Specialized team with security clearances and deep understanding of defense contractor requirements.

Our Methodology

Proven CMMC Assessment & Implementation Approach

Our structured methodology ensures a clear path to CMMC certification with minimal business disruption.

01

Discovery & Scoping

1-2 Weeks

Define CUI boundaries, identify in-scope systems, and establish assessment scope with stakeholders.

CUI flow mapping
System inventory
Stakeholder interviews
Scope documentation
02

Gap Assessment

2-4 Weeks

Evaluate current security controls against CMMC requirements and identify compliance gaps.

Control assessment
Technical testing
Policy review
Gap identification
03

Remediation Planning

1-2 Weeks

Develop prioritized remediation roadmap with timelines, costs, and resource requirements.

Prioritized roadmap
Cost estimation
Resource planning
Timeline development
04

Implementation

3-12 Months

Execute remediation activities including technical controls, policies, and training programs.

Technical remediation
Policy implementation
Training deployment
Evidence collection
05

Assessment Prep

2-4 Weeks

Prepare for C3PAO assessment with mock assessments, evidence organization, and team readiness.

Mock assessments
Evidence review
Team preparation
Assessment logistics
Industries We Serve

CMMC Expertise Across Defense Sectors

We understand the unique challenges and requirements of different defense contractor industries.

Defense Manufacturing

Secure supply chain and manufacturing systems handling defense-related CUI and technical data.

Aerospace & Aviation

Protect sensitive aerospace designs, ITAR-controlled data, and aviation system information.

IT & Cybersecurity

Secure managed service providers and IT contractors supporting DoD mission systems.

Research & Development

Safeguard R&D data, intellectual property, and technical specifications for defense projects.

Professional Services

Protect consulting deliverables, personnel data, and sensitive program information.

Logistics & Supply Chain

Secure logistics systems, inventory data, and supply chain information for DoD contracts.

Ready to Achieve CMMC Certification?

Don't risk losing DoD contracts. Partner with EPC Group to navigate CMMC 2.0 requirements and achieve certification with confidence.

Schedule CMMC AssessmentView Case Studies

CMMC-AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO) | Microsoft GCC High Specialists

Frequently Asked Questions

What compliance frameworks does EPC Group support?

EPC Group supports HIPAA (healthcare), SOC 2 Type II (financial services), FedRAMP Moderate/High (government), CMMC Level 2 (defense), GDPR (EU), CCPA (California), FERPA (education), FINRA (financial), and the EU AI Act. Our compliance implementations are built on the Microsoft compliance toolkit.

How does compliance consulting work with EPC Group?

EPC Group conducts a compliance gap assessment, maps your current state to target framework requirements, implements technical controls using Microsoft Purview/Defender/Entra ID, documents evidence for auditors, and provides ongoing monitoring and remediation support.

How much does compliance consulting cost?

Compliance consulting ranges from $50K-$250K depending on framework complexity. A single-framework implementation (e.g., SOC 2) costs $50K-$100K. Multi-framework environments (HIPAA + SOC 2 + GDPR) cost $150K-$250K. Ongoing compliance monitoring retainers start at $5K/month.

How long does it take to achieve compliance?

Timeline depends on your current state and target framework. SOC 2 readiness typically takes 3-6 months, HIPAA compliance takes 4-8 months, FedRAMP-aligned consulting expertise work takes 9-18 months, and CMMC Level 2 certification takes 6-12 months. EPC Group provides detailed timelines after gap assessment.

Related Resources

  • Azure Consulting Services
  • Azure Landing Zone Architecture Guide
  • Azure Cost Optimization (FinOps)
  • Azure Security Best Practices
  • Enterprise Cloud Migration

CMMC Compliance Consulting for Defense Contractors

EPC Group helps DoD contractors achieve CMMC 2.0 certification. We cover Level 1 through Level 3 — gap assessment, remediation, policy documentation, technical controls via Microsoft GCC/GCC High, and C3PAO assessment preparation. Most Level 2 programs reach certification-ready status in 6–12 months.

Key facts

  • CMMC 2.0 is mandatory for all DoD contractors handling FCI or CUI.
  • Level 2 requires full NIST 800-171 compliance (110 controls) and a C3PAO third-party assessment for priority contracts.
  • Level 3 adds NIST 800-172 controls and a government-led assessment.
  • EPC Group holds Microsoft GCC and GCC High expertise — the required cloud environments for CUI under CMMC.
  • Compliance timelines: Level 2 certification typically takes 6–12 months. HIPAA takes 4–8 months. FedRAMP takes 9–18 months.
  • EPC Group supports HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP, CMMC, GDPR, CCPA, FERPA, FINRA, and the EU AI Act.

Why CMMC Compliance Is Essential

Without CMMC certification, you cannot bid on or retain DoD contracts. The three main business drivers are contract eligibility, CUI protection, and competitive advantage.

  • Contract eligibility — CMMC 2.0 is a go/no-go requirement for defense contract bids.
  • CUI protection — Controls protect Controlled Unclassified Information from adversary access.
  • Competitive advantage — Certified contractors win contracts that uncertified peers cannot pursue.

CMMC Level Requirements

CMMC 2.0 consolidates the original five levels into three.

Level 1: Foundational

  • Covers FCI protection only — no CUI handling required.
  • Annual self-assessment. 17 basic access controls.

Level 2: Advanced

  • Covers CUI protection. Full NIST 800-171 (110 controls).
  • C3PAO third-party assessment required for priority contracts.
  • Self-assessment allowed for non-priority contracts.

Level 3: Expert

  • Adds NIST 800-172 subset controls above Level 2.
  • Government-led assessment. Required for highest-security contracts.

EPC Group CMMC Services

CMMC Readiness Assessment

  • Current-state security review
  • Policy and procedure audit
  • Technical controls evaluation
  • CUI scope identification

Gap Analysis and Remediation

  • Control-by-control gap assessment against NIST 800-171
  • Risk-based remediation priority ranking
  • Remediation cost and timeline estimation

Policy and Documentation

  • System Security Plan (SSP) development
  • Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
  • Security policies, procedures, and employee training materials

Technical Implementation

  • Access control and encryption deployment
  • Security monitoring and incident response configuration
  • Microsoft Purview, Defender, and Entra ID configuration
  • Audit (Premium) 6-year retention setup
  • Sensitivity-label DLP policies for CUI/PHI/PII
  • Customer Lockbox for regulated tenants

Certification Preparation

  • Mock assessments
  • Evidence collection and organization
  • C3PAO assessment-day support

Continuous Compliance

  • Annual self-assessments
  • 24/7 security monitoring
  • Security awareness training

Microsoft GCC and GCC High for CMMC

Choosing the right Microsoft tenant is critical for CMMC compliance. The wrong environment disqualifies your certification.

  • Microsoft 365 GCC — FedRAMP Moderate, US-based datacenters, standard compliance. For non-priority CUI work.
  • Microsoft 365 GCC High — FedRAMP High, DoD SRG IL4/IL5, ITAR-compliant. Required for priority CMMC Level 2 and all Level 3.
  • Azure Government — CMMC enclave-ready, isolated government regions, hybrid connectivity.
  • Defender for Government — XDR capabilities, threat intelligence, compliance dashboards, incident response.

Defense Sectors We Serve

  • Defense manufacturing
  • Aerospace and aviation
  • IT and cybersecurity services
  • Research and development
  • Professional services firms
  • Logistics and supply chain

Frequently Asked Questions

What compliance frameworks does EPC Group support?

EPC Group supports HIPAA, SOC 2 Type II, FedRAMP Moderate/High, CMMC Level 2 and 3, GDPR, CCPA, FERPA, FINRA, and the EU AI Act. Microsoft is the primary platform for implementing controls across all frameworks.

How does compliance consulting work with EPC Group?

We run a gap assessment, map your current state to the target framework, implement controls via Microsoft Purview, Defender, and Entra ID, document evidence for auditors, and provide ongoing monitoring.

How much does compliance consulting cost?

Fixed-fee compliance accelerators start at $35,000. Full CMMC Level 2 programs typically range from $75,000 to $250,000 depending on organization size, CUI scope, and existing control maturity.

How long does it take to achieve CMMC Level 2 certification?

Most Level 2 programs reach certification-ready status in 6–12 months. Timeline depends on current-state gaps, resource availability, and whether a C3PAO assessment is required.

Do subcontractors need CMMC compliance?

Yes. Any contractor in the DoD supply chain that handles FCI or CUI must meet the appropriate CMMC level. Prime contractors must flow down requirements to subcontractors in contract language.

Start Your CMMC Compliance Program

Talk to a CMMC compliance architect at EPC Group. Call (888) 381-9725 or schedule a discovery call.