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What is CMMC Level 3 and Why Does Choosing Your C3PAO Matter?
CMMC is no longer a distant compliance requirement. Many defense contractors will soon find it is an operational necessity. For organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), CMMC Level 3 represents the threshold where cybersecurity moves beyond foundational safeguards into a disciplined, proactive security posture.
What role do C3PAO companies play when an organization is pursuing CMMC level 3?
What is CMMC Level 3?
CMMC Level 3 is for organizations handling information about the DoD’s most critical programs and technologies. While still not categorized as “classified,” CMMC CUI Level 3 is the most stringent, requiring contractors to implement comprehensive cybersecurity practices. As the DOD CIO CMMC Level 3 Assessment Guide notes, “Level 3 provides additional protections against advanced persistent threats (APTs), and increased assurance to the DoD that an OSC can adequately protect CUI at a level commensurate with the adversarial risk, to include protecting information flow with the government and with subcontractors in a multitier supply chain.”
What are the requirements for CMMC Level 3?
Organizations seeking certification (OSCs) at level 3 must first obtain a Final Level 2 certification from an authorized C3PAO. This means the organization meets all 110 controls of NIST SP 800-171r2 and all 320 assessment objectives from NIST SP 800-171A.
Once an organization achieves CMMC Final Level 2 certification, it is time to move on to the additional requirements of CMMC Level 3. The Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) conducts the level 3 assessment against 24 controls in NIST SP 800-172A. The DIBCAC will interview, examine, and then test as per the assessment objectives.
When should I start working on CMMC Level 3 compliance?
Organizations seeking certification must schedule with two different layers of assessment organizations. C3PAO companies in many cases already are scheduling out into 2026.
The DIBCAC has a limited staff and schedules C3PAO inspections and Levels several months out. The Level 3 assessment requires the OSC to have a Final Level 2 certificate before DIBCAC can start the inspection, which means OSCs will need to schedule the Level 2 with a C3PAO company to allow adequate time to remediate and attain a 110 score first. Organizations should consider internal or pre-assessments prior to either Level 2 or 3 to ensure that each final assessment will run effectively and efficiently.
How do I know if I need to comply with CMMC Level 3?
Your contracting officers are the best source of information regarding what level of CUI you are storing, processing, or transmitting, and what level of CMMC you must comply with. Never be afraid to ask questions about the CUI you will be receiving as part of your contract.
What questions do you have for us?
What questions can we answer for you about the different levels of CMMC and how C3PAO companies can help? Contact us today and we will be happy to help you.