CMMC Compliance Consulting Services | DoD Contractor Certification
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 for Defense Contractors
Last updated by Errin O'Connor, Founder & Chief AI Architect, EPC Group
Achieve CMMC 2.0 certification with confidence. Expert assessment, gap analysis, remediation, and certification preparation for DoD contractors protecting CUI.
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.
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
Understanding CMMC Levels & Requirements
CMMC 2.0 streamlines the framework to three levels based on the sensitivity of information and contract requirements.
Foundational
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
Advanced
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
Expert
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 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.
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
Defense Contractor Compliance Expertise
With government since 1997 and defense sector experience, we bring senior-architect 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.
Proven CMMC Assessment & Implementation Approach
Our structured methodology ensures a clear path to CMMC certification with minimal business disruption.
Discovery & Scoping
1-2 WeeksDefine CUI boundaries, identify in-scope systems, and establish assessment scope with stakeholders.
Gap Assessment
2-4 WeeksEvaluate current security controls against CMMC requirements and identify compliance gaps.
Remediation Planning
1-2 WeeksDevelop prioritized remediation roadmap with timelines, costs, and resource requirements.
Implementation
3-12 MonthsExecute remediation activities including technical controls, policies, and training programs.
Assessment Prep
2-4 WeeksPrepare for C3PAO assessment with mock assessments, evidence organization, and team readiness.
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.
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 is scoped to framework complexity: a single-framework implementation (e.g., SOC 2) or a multi-framework environment (HIPAA + SOC 2 + GDPR). Ongoing compliance monitoring is a monthly retainer.
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.
Status, verified October 1, 2026: the Department of War suspended the November 2026 transition to CMMC Phase 2 on July 13, 2026 (memo 26-P-1023), and a September 3, 2026 class deviation made the suspension binding on contracting officers. Only Level 1 and Level 2 self-assessments may be required while the CMMC Reform Task Force reviews the program; no replacement date has been published. DFARS 252.204-7012, NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2, SPRS score posting and 32 CFR Part 170 remain in effect.
Using the Phase 2 pause to get Level 2-ready? Start with the CMMC Level 2 Gap Assessment and GCC High migration — three weeks, US-persons delivery contracted in writing, fixed fee quoted after a scoping call.
CMMC Compliance Consulting for Defense Contractors
EPC Group assists DoD contractors in obtaining CMMC 2.0 certification. We support all levels from Level 1 to Level 3. Our services include:
- Gap assessment
- Remediation
- Policy documentation
- Technical controls using Microsoft GCC/GCC High
- C3PAO assessment preparation
Most Level 2 programs achieve certification readiness within 6–12 months.
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) retention-policy setup — one-year default; CMMC and NIST retention windows beyond that use the 10-Year Audit Log Retention add-on
- 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 various compliance frameworks, including:
- HIPAA
- SOC 2 Type II
- FedRAMP Moderate/High
- CMMC Level 2 and 3
- GDPR
- CCPA
- FERPA
- FINRA
- EU AI Act
Microsoft is the main platform for implementing controls across all these frameworks.
How does compliance consulting work with EPC Group?
We conduct a gap assessment to identify areas for improvement. Next, we map your current state to the target framework. We implement controls using:
- Microsoft Purview
- Microsoft Defender
- Entra ID
We also document evidence for auditors and provide ongoing monitoring.
How much does compliance consulting cost?
Fixed-fee compliance accelerators begin at $35,000. Full CMMC Level 2 programs are fixed-fee, scoped after a discovery call. The price varies based on:
- Organization size
- CUI scope
- 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 required CMMC level. Prime contractors are responsible for:
- Ensuring that these requirements are communicated to subcontractors.
- Using clear contract language to convey these obligations.
Start Your CMMC Compliance Program
Talk to a CMMC compliance architect at EPC Group. Call (888) 381-9725 or schedule a discovery call.
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