C3PAOCMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization
An organization authorized by the CMMC Accreditation Body (the Cyber AB) to conduct CMMC Level 2 assessments of defense contractors. Third-party assessment as a condition of award was suspended on July 13, 2026 pending review, so a C3PAO assessment is not currently required to be eligible for a contract.
Related Terms
CMMC
A DoD framework requiring defense contractors to meet specific cybersecurity standards before handling federal contract information.
CMMC Level 2 (Advanced)
The mid-tier CMMC level requiring all 110 NIST SP 800-171 controls. Third-party (C3PAO) assessment at this level was suspended as an award condition in July 2026 pending review; Level 2 self-assessment remains in force.
The Cyber AB
The official accreditation body for the CMMC ecosystem, responsible for authorizing C3PAOs, certifying assessors, and overseeing the assessment process.
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