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Disclaimer: This blog was originally published on May 25, 2025 and has since been updated for comprehensiveness.
A CMMC assessment finds your security gaps, while a CMMC audit determines if you pass or fail. The difference matters because choosing the wrong one at the wrong time can cost you tens of thousands of dollars and delay your DoD contract eligibility.
Many defense contractors often confuse these two processes, causing them to lose valuable opportunities. Understanding each one helps you plan better and avoid expensive mistakes.
Intelligent Technical Solutions (ITS) has over 20 years of experience helping defense contractors with compliance. Our team includes CMMC Registered Practitioners who guide organizations through certification.
This article explains when you need an assessment versus an audit. We’ll cover topics, such as:
- What are the Key Differences Between a CMMC Audit and a CMMC Assessment?
- How to Prepare for Your CMMC Audit
After reading, you will learn how to prepare for both and ensure success on your first attempt.
What Is a CMMC Assessment?
A CMMC assessment is like a health checkup for your IT systems. It shows what needs to be fixed before the real test.
Cybersecurity experts review your security controls and policies to ensure they are effective and compliant. They compare what you have against CMMC requirements. Then they give you a report showing every gap.
This report is called the Operational Plan of Action (OPA). Your OPA lists every security weakness and what issues need to be addressed.
You can do assessments anytime. The earlier you start, the more time you have to fix problems. Many companies hire external experts because they catch issues internal teams miss.
Sean Harris, Chief Security Risk Officer at ITS, explains it well. "People often focus on systems, but humans are the last firewall. In several cases, every system safeguard failed, but one employee questioning an unusual request prevented a major security incident."
Read More: What Types of Businesses Need CMMC Compliance?
What Is a CMMC Audit?
A CMMC audit is a formal test for certification. It has real consequences for your business.
A Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) conducts the audit. These authorized auditors verify that you meet cybersecurity standards set by the Department of Defense (DoD).
You must get certified every three years to keep your contract eligibility as required by DoD.
Auditors review everything. They check security controls, examine policies, and verify documentation. They test your systems and conduct interviews with employees. They seek proof that you follow the practices you claim to have.
At the end, you either pass or fail. Passing means you can bid on DoD contracts. Failing means you cannot pursue contracts that require CMMC compliance.
According to official DoD guidance, you can get a conditional pass with 80 percent completion. You then have 180 days to fix any remaining issues through a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).
Harris warns about costs. "The cost of certification through a C3PAO can range between $30,000 to $100,000 every three years. Failing means not only losing that investment but also delaying your ability to work with the DoD."
Failed audits mean lost revenue and missed opportunities while you fix problems and try again.
What are the Key Differences Between CMMC Audit and CMMC Assessment?
Listed below are the main differences between the two:
- Purpose: Assessments find problems. Audits give you certification.
- Timing: You choose when to do assessments. Audits are conducted every three years for Level 2 & 3 certifications.
- Who Does It: You can do assessments internally or hire consultants. Only authorized C3PAOs can do audits.
- Results: Assessments give you a gap list. Audits give you a pass or fail remark.
- Cost: Assessments cost a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars. Audits typically cost between $30,000 and $100,000 or more.
- Risk: Assessments have no penalty. Failed audits block your contract's eligibility.
Most successful companies do several assessments before their first audit.
Read More: How Much Does CMMC Compliance Cost? (& Is It Worth It?)
How to Prepare for Your CMMC Audit
Follow these steps to increase your chances of succeeding on your first try:
1. Start With an Early Assessment
Do an assessment as soon as possible. Early identification gives you time to fix issues properly. Hire external experts for the most thorough review.
2. Create a Strong Action Plan
Your OPA should list every fix needed. Organize it clearly with priorities. Aim for full compliance rather than planning to use a POA&M.
Harris warns: "It would have to be extenuating circumstances. Maybe you've already started a big technical project and you're already many months into it."
3. Keep Perfect Documentation
Auditors will check policies, security logs, and response plans. Keep everything organized. Missing documentation can lead to failure, even with strong technical controls.
4. Train Your Employees
Regular training in phishing, passwords, and access controls is essential. Make cybersecurity part of your culture, not just an IT task.
5. Do a Practice Audit
Simulate the real audit after preparing. Work with your C3PAO if possible. They can run the practice using actual audit standards.
6. Pick the Right Partner
Expert guidance simplifies everything.
Harris stresses one key point: "The consultant and the auditor must be different entities. You need an experienced third party to verify your compliance before the official audit."
Why the Difference Matters to Your Business
Understanding the difference between CMMC assessments and CMMC audits protects your investments. Companies that confuse them waste resources.
CMMC assessments reveal problems when you can still fix them affordably. Otherwise, finding gaps during an official audit often means it's too late. You already paid fees and wasted your time.
Smart contractors assess early and often. They carefully address problems and only proceed with CMMC audits when they are confident of passing.
Remember, your competition wants the same contracts. Many will fail their audits, and those failures create opportunities for prepared companies like yours.
Ready for CMMC Certification?
You now understand the difference between assessments and audits. The question is whether you are ready.
Most defense contractors need expert help. The requirements are complex, and the stakes are high. Professional support usually saves money through reduced risks.
ITS helps businesses move from assessment to certification. We provide evaluations, gap analyses, and security solutions. We ensure you meet standards without delays or extra costs.
Schedule a consultation with ITS compliance experts to assess your security and plan your certification path.
For further information about CMMC compliance, download our eBook: Everything You Need to Know About CMMC.
Check out these free resources in our Learning Center:
- How to Improve Your CMMC Maturity Level (6 Best Practices)
- CMMC Certification: How Long Does It Take to Get Certified?
- What is the Difference Between CMMC and NIST 800-171?
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I skip the assessment and proceed directly to the audit?
A: Yes, but it is risky. Skipping the assessment means you might fail and waste significant money on audit fees.
Q: How long does a CMMC assessment take?
A: Small businesses complete assessments in a few weeks. Larger organizations may need several months for a thorough evaluation.
Q: What happens if I fail my CMMC audit?
A: You cannot bid on DoD contracts requiring CMMC until you resolve the identified issues and pass another audit. This means lost revenue and additional fees.
Q: How often do I need CMMC certification?
A: Depending on your level, you need one yearly or every three years. You must maintain security controls throughout this period and pass a new audit for each cycle.
Q: Do subcontractors need CMMC certification?
A: Yes, all subcontractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) need CMMC certification. The requirement flows through the entire defense supply chain.
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