If you're a defense contractor handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you already know the clock is ticking. CMMC Level 2 certification isn't optional anymore: it's the key to keeping your DoD contracts.
The good news? Preparing for your audit doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right approach (and the right tools), you can get audit-ready in as little as 4 weeks.
Let's break down the 5 essential steps to prepare for your CMMC Level 2 audit: and show you how CPE Level 2 can do the heavy lifting for you.
Step 1: Conduct a Readiness Assessment
Before you can fix gaps, you need to find them.
A readiness assessment is your starting point. Think of it as a health check for your cybersecurity posture. You're measuring where you stand today against the 110 security requirements of NIST SP 800-171r2 (which CMMC Level 2 is based on).
Here's what a solid readiness assessment covers:
- Review your current NIST SP 800-171 implementation – What controls do you have in place?
- Identify noncompliant or partially implemented controls – Where are the gaps?
- Assess your documentation – Is your evidence ready to show an auditor?
Pro tip: Don't try to do this alone. A qualified third-party expert can spot issues you might miss and save you months of back-and-forth. Many organizations find that preparation takes 6 to 12 months: but that timeline shrinks dramatically when you use a pre-built compliant environment like CPE Level 2.
Step 2: Develop and Execute a Remediation Plan
Once you know your gaps, it's time to close them.
This step involves creating two critical documents:
System Security Plan (SSP)
Your SSP describes how each security control is implemented in your environment. It's the blueprint auditors will use to understand your setup.
Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
Your POA&M lists what still needs to be fixed and your timeline for doing it. It shows auditors you have a clear path to full compliance.
Focus on high-impact areas first:
- Access control
- Incident response
- Data protection
- Audit logging
These are the areas auditors scrutinize most: and where noncompliance can tank your assessment.
Here's where CPE Level 2 changes the game. With 900+ CPE-specific cybersecurity hardening steps already implemented, most of your remediation work is done before you even start. No chasing down individual controls. No scrambling to configure systems. It's built-in from day one.
Step 3: Implement Continuous Monitoring and Evidence Collection
CMMC assessments are evidence-driven. Saying you're compliant isn't enough: you have to prove it.
Auditors want to see documentation that demonstrates each control is working as intended. That includes:
- Policies and procedures – Written guidelines for how your organization handles security
- Security logs and audit trails – Proof that your systems are tracking activity
- Training records – Evidence that your team knows the rules
- Incident reports – Documentation of how you've responded to security events
The problem? Collecting this evidence manually is a nightmare. It's time-consuming, error-prone, and easy to miss something critical.
The solution? Automate wherever possible. Compliance management tools can centralize your evidence collection and reduce human error.
With CPE Level 2, continuous monitoring and logging are built into the enclave. Security events are tracked automatically. Audit trails are maintained without extra effort. Your evidence is ready when the auditor asks for it.
Step 4: Perform a Mock Audit
Don't wait for the real audit to find out you're not ready.
A mock audit simulates the actual C3PAO assessment process. It's your chance to stress-test your compliance before it counts.
Here's what a mock audit should include:
- SSP and POA&M review – Are your documents complete and accurate?
- System configuration testing – Do your controls actually work as documented?
- Mock interviews with key personnel – Can your team explain how security is handled?
- Evidence validation – Does your documentation match your actual implementation?
This step is critical. Auditors will interview your staff, test your systems, and dig into your documentation. If there's a disconnect between what you say and what you do, they'll find it.
A mock audit exposes those disconnects before they become audit failures.
With CPE Level 2, your environment is pre-configured to meet all 110 requirements and 320 objectives. That means fewer surprises during your mock audit: and a much smoother path to the real thing.
Step 5: Schedule Your C3PAO Assessment
When you're confident in your readiness, it's time to book the real deal.
A C3PAO (CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization) is an authorized assessor who will formally evaluate your compliance. During the assessment, they'll:
- Review your System Security Plan
- Validate that controls are implemented correctly
- Interview key personnel
- Test system configurations
If you pass, you'll receive certification valid for three years.
Timeline to Plan For:
| Phase | Duration |
|---|---|
| Pre-planning | 1 week |
| Assessment | 2 weeks |
| Results reporting | 1 week |
| Certificate issuance | 1 week |
Block off 4–6 weeks for the formal assessment process itself.
How CPE Level 2 Handles the Heavy Lifting
Let's be real: CMMC Level 2 compliance is complex. 110 requirements. 320 objectives. Endless documentation. Continuous monitoring. It's a lot for any organization: especially small to medium defense suppliers.
That's exactly why we built CPE Level 2.
CPE Level 2 is a Cybersecurity Protected Enclave that delivers 100% coverage of every CMMC 2.0 Level 2 requirement and objective. It's not a partial solution or a checklist tool. It's a fully compliant environment: ready to go.
What You Get with CPE Level 2:
- Full CMMC 2.0 Level 2 compliance – Every requirement. Every objective. Covered.
- Audit readiness in 4 weeks – Not 6 to 12 months. Four weeks.
- 900+ hardening steps already implemented – No POA&M tracking headaches
- Integrated backup, network segmentation, and security management – All included
- vCISO sessions and audit support – Expert guidance when you need it
- No extra costs for hardware, licensing, or managed services – One transparent price
Starting at $1,099 monthly for up to 20 users, CPE Level 2 is the most cost-effective path to CMMC Level 2 certification for small to medium defense suppliers.
The Bottom Line
Preparing for a CMMC Level 2 audit doesn't have to take a year. It doesn't have to drain your resources. And it definitely doesn't have to keep you up at night.
Here's the path:
- Conduct a readiness assessment – Know where you stand
- Develop and execute a remediation plan – Close the gaps
- Implement continuous monitoring and evidence collection – Prove compliance
- Perform a mock audit – Test before it counts
- Schedule your C3PAO assessment – Get certified
Or skip the complexity entirely. CPE Level 2 handles the heavy lifting so you can focus on what you do best: supporting the American warfighter.
Ready to get started? Contact us today at CMMC@PLANETSECURITY.NET or call 702-508-2338.
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