CMMC Assessment Checklist
If you think you are ready for a CMMC assessment, use this resource to test where you actually are before contacting a professional.
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How Do You Know If a C3PAO Is Authorized?
Whether or not an organization is actively pursuing CMMC certification or has already achieved it, it is likely receiving a lot of attention from C3PAOs wondering if they can assist with the compliance journey. If an organization does need a C3PAO, the inundation of promotional materials can represent just another obstacle to overcome. How can a leader know who is legitimate and who is not?
The Cyber AB is the Authorization Center
Finding out if a C3PAO truly is a C3PAO is one of the simpler steps in the CMMC ecosystem. To begin, visit the Cyber AB marketplace at https://cyberab.org/Catalog#!/c/s/Results/Format/list/Page/1/Size/9/Sort/NameAscending and filter by C3PAO on the left-hand side. If the company in question does not appear, it is not an authorized C3PAO, at least not yet. Without that presence in the directory, an organization can dismiss that company quickly.
Next Steps for Researching a C3PAO
Once an organization appears in the Cyber AB Marketplace as a C3PAO, the research should continue to learn more about the company and whether they would be a good fit for the organization seeking certification (OSC). Questions to research include:
- How long has the company been in business?
- When did the company earn the C3PAO authorization?
- Does the company audit/assess other standards like ISO 9001, and is it accredited to do so?
This information usually appears on the company website and is easy to find. The reason to look for ISO standard certifications is that accreditation indicates the company follows clear standards in its assessments. In the case of CMMC, this is a strong quality for a C3PAO to offer.
Vetting C3PAOs
Choosing a C3PAO for a CMMC third-party assessment is a key step in the compliance journey. Organizations in the DIB need to have clear, itemized questions and should interview the C3PAO before beginning work. Make sure the C3PAOs in the running can meet the desired timeline, as this can also be a deciding factor.
Smithers as a C3PAO Company
What is Smithers like as a C3PAO? How does Smithers serve organizations during the assessment process? Contact us today to learn more.