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.
Related Guides
Check Your CMMC Readiness
Run our free compliance tools to see where your organization stands.
Audit Your Tech Stack FreeTalk this gap analysis through with a founder
This CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization explainer is the start, not the answer. Book a 25-minute fit call with a founder who builds and runs the platform, and find out whether we are the right people to help you close the gaps.
Book a 25-minute fit callRelated: how much CMMC certification costs — DoD’s own priced figures