With CMMC's finalization, managed service providers (MSPs) will play an important role in defense contractors' ability to achieve and maintain compliance. At Level 2 of the CMMC framework, organizations are required to adhere to additional requirements outlined in NIST SP 800-171 Rev.2 in order to better protect the nations controlled unclassified information (CUI). For many small-medium sized businesses working in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), these requirements can be expensive and complex. MSPs help reduce the burden of compliance by offering their expertise, services, and resources on a contract basis. Under the most recent ruling, MSPs are no longer required to be certified by a C3PAO at the same level of their client. However, there is a large difference between hiring an MSP that is only self-assessed as opposed to one that has been externally verified. Not all MSPs are equal in their ability to achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance and the difference between a self-assessment and those certified by a third-party assessor organization is significant.
CMMC Level 1 or 2?
Depending on what type of information your organization handles, you will either have to comply with Level 1 or Level 2 of the CMMC model. CMMC level 1 is required for organizations handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) and is primarily concerned with foundational cyber hygiene practices. To achieve level 1, contractors must implement 17 controls based on FAR 52.204-21 and submit a self-attestation to SPRS.
Any organization that stores, processes or transmits Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must comply with CMMC level 1. This requires organizations to implement all 110 controls outlined in NIST SP 800-171 rev. 2 while also passing a third-party audit conducted by a C3PAO.
The Self-Assessed MSP
Under the final CMMC rule, organization can achieve either CMMC Level 2 (self) or CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO). While many contractors will have to consult a C3PAO to achieve compliance, as long as an MSP does not have access to CUI, they can pursue compliance through a self-assessment. An MSP that has performed a CMMC Level 2 self-assessment has evaluated their compliance against the 110 practices outlined in NIST SP 800-171. There are several key characteristics of a self-assessed MSP:
- An Internal Evaluation: The MSP has independently reviewed its own policies and procedures and found it is aligned with CMMC Level 2 requirements.
- Self-Attestation: The MSP will have to sign an attestation that they meet the necessary standards. If found to be outside of compliance, the MSP can face heavy penalties.
- Greater Risks: Without external validation, the assessment may overlook certain gaps or misinterpret various requirements.
A C3PAO Certified MSP
A CMMC Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) is responsible for conducting an audit of the MSPs compliance against CMMC Level 2 standards. This is an independent audit conducted by a professional, with a certification provided by the Department of Defense (DoD).
Several key characteristics of a C3PAO-Certified MSP include:
- External Validation: A C3PAO provides an objective, third-party validation of the MSPs compliance. Conversely, the self-assessed MSP relies on its own internal evaluation.
- Pre-Certified Controls: MSPs will provide a customer responsibility matrix (CRM) that outlines the responsibilities of both parties in regard to compliance. Any objectives that the MSP is responsible for are already "pre-certified" and are not scrutinized during your audit.
- Risk Management: The thoroughness of a third-party audit reduces the likelihood of security gaps and ensures robust protections for CUI.
Which Should You Choose?
While both MSPs may show a commitment to cybersecurity and compliance, the better option for defense contractors is to partner with a C3PAO-Certified MSP. A CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO) Certified MSP offers a higher level of confidence and assurance that a self-assessed MSP does not. Contractors must also keep in mind that a self-assessed MSP will still be considered in scope for your third-party audit, meaning that your organization is being held responsible for the compliance of your MSP. MSPs that have passed a CMMC L2 audit have also proven their ability to implement the controls required by CMMC level 1 as the two levels build upon one another.
Organizations handling CUI or seeking DoD contracts should prioritize MSPs that have undergone the C3PAO certification process. By doing so, they not only enhance their compliance posture but also reinforce trust in their supply chain’s cybersecurity resilience.
CorpInfoTech - Committed to CMMC Level 2 C3PAO Compliance
CorpInfoTech is an MSP dedicated to providing enterprise level cybersecurity and CMMC compliance services to SMBs working in the DIB. CorpInfoTech achieved a perfect score of 110 on our CMMC Level 2 Assessment. We are among the first MSPs to pass the CMMC Level 2 Assessment. We also are committed to helping contractors achieve CMMC level 1 compliance through the implementation of the CIS Controls, an industry standard framework for cybersecurity. As a CIS-accredited organization under CREST, CorpInfoTech has proven through external validation our ability to implement the controls in both our own and clients IT infrastructure.
Through TAS for CMMC Compliance, your organization will inherit 200+ of the 320 objectives required by CMMC. This helps increase compliance efficiency and give you greater assurance when it comes to your own third-party audit. Our services are flexible and give you greater control over where your CUI is stored, letting you avoid rigid enclave boundaries.
TAS for CMMC Compliance is the fastest, least expensive, and most flexible way to achieve CMMC compliance!
Contact us today Start Your CMMC Compliance pathway today -CorpInfoTech can help your business achieve and maintain your CMMC Compliance for the long haul.
As a CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO) Certified Managed Service Provider, CorpInfoTech delivers proven expertise to help your organization achieve and maintain CMMC compliance with confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Not all CMMC Level 2 MSPs provide the same level of assurance. There’s a meaningful difference between an MSP that has only self-assessed and one that has been externally validated by a C3PAO.
- Self-assessed MSPs can introduce risk if gaps are missed. Without external validation, self-assessments may overlook control weaknesses, misinterpret requirements, or fail to maintain evidence at the level required during a contractor’s audit.
- A C3PAO-certified MSP offers stronger confidence and reduces compliance burden. Third-party certification confirms the MSP’s controls have been independently audited and typically includes tools like a Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM) to clearly define shared compliance responsibilities.
- Choosing a C3PAO-certified MSP strengthens supply chain trust. Beyond passing an audit, externally verified MSPs help reinforce your overall security posture, reduce risk to CUI, and improve resilience across the defense supply chain.
CMMC Update 11/10 Phase 1 Rollout: CMMC compliance is now mandatory for all new Department of War (formerly DoD) contracts as of November 10, 2025. During Phase 1, organizations handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) must complete a Level 1 self-assessment and submit it to the Supplier Risk Performance System (SRPS) before contract award, while some contractors may also need Level 2 assessments. Prime contracts may ask of their supply chain to be Level CMMC certified at any point during the rollout phases.
CorpInfoTech, a Managed Service Provider (MSP) with over 25 years in the SMB space, is a trusted partner for business pursuing compliance and cybersecurity. We are a CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO) certified MSP and a Cyber AB Registered Provider Organization (RPO). Also, as the first CIS accredited organization, we help organizations implement the CIS controls as it pertains to CMMC and your overall cybersecurity posture. CorpInfoTech, is your trusted partner for secure, compliant growth in every changing digital landscape.
