# CMMC compliance software **URL:** https://theauditrail.com/frameworks/cmmc/ **Published:** 2026-09-23 **Modified:** 2026-10-06 **Author:** The Audit Trail editorial desk > CMMC sets cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors handling CUI. Seven compliance platforms rated. --- Framework # CMMC Compliance Software A the Department of War certification program that sets cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors handling federal contract information and controlled unclassified information. ## Rated platforms covering CMMC Compliance automation platforms ranked by rubric score Rank Platform Score Band Assessed Scorecard 1st ![Sprinto logo](https://theauditrail.com/logos/sprinto.png) [Sprinto](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/sprinto/) Best overall for a first multi-framework program 84 Strong Oct 11, 2026 [Scorecard →](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/sprinto/) 2nd ![Vanta logo](https://theauditrail.com/logos/vanta.png) [Vanta](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/vanta/) Best for breadth of integrations and frameworks 82 Strong Oct 11, 2026 [Scorecard →](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/vanta/) 3rd ![Drata logo](https://theauditrail.com/logos/drata.png) [Drata](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/drata/) Best for teams that will build custom tests 76 Strong Oct 4, 2026 [Scorecard →](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/drata/) 4th ![Secureframe logo](https://theauditrail.com/logos/secureframe.png) [Secureframe](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/secureframe/) Best for federal and defense frameworks 75 Strong Oct 11, 2026 [Scorecard →](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/secureframe/) 5th ![Scrut logo](https://theauditrail.com/logos/scrut.png) [Scrut](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/scrut/) Best for regional frameworks outside the US 72 Strong Oct 11, 2026 [Scorecard →](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/scrut/) 6th ![OneTrust logo](https://theauditrail.com/logos/onetrust.png) [OneTrust](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/onetrust/) Best for companies that already run privacy on OneTrust 64 Adequate Oct 11, 2026 [Scorecard →](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/onetrust/) 7th ![Thoropass logo](https://theauditrail.com/logos/thoropass.png) [Thoropass](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/thoropass/) Best for buying the audit and the platform as one engagement 52 Limited Oct 11, 2026 [Scorecard →](https://theauditrail.com/vendors/thoropass/) CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the Department of War program that sets cybersecurity requirements for defense contractors and their subcontractors. Today it runs in Phase 1 only. The Department suspended Phase II, which was due to start November 10, 2026, in an announcement on July 13, 2026, and it has not set a new date. Phase 1 self-assessment requirements, in force since November 10, 2025, remain the active standard. DFARS 252.204-7012 still governs how covered defense information gets safeguarded and reported. For a contractor today, the job is a self-assessment that holds up and a current score in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS). ## Who CMMC covers CMMC protects two categories of information. Federal Contract Information (FCI) is the baseline data a contractor generates or receives under a government contract, excluding anything already public or purely transactional. Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is the more sensitive category that a law, regulation or government-wide policy requires an agency to protect. The requirement flows down the supply chain. A subcontractor handling FCI or CUI on a prime’s behalf needs its own CMMC status before the prime can award it work. A prime handling only FCI needs at minimum a Level 1 self-assessment of its own. ## The three levels Level 1 covers basic safeguarding of FCI: an annual self-assessment and affirmation against a requirement count the Department of War puts at 15, drawn from FAR 52.204-21. [Level 2](https://theauditrail.com/frameworks/cmmc/level-2/) covers broader protection of CUI against the 110 requirements in NIST SP 800-171 Revision 2. It is assessed either by self-assessment every three years or by a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), depending on what a given solicitation calls for. Level 3 adds the enhanced requirements in NIST SP 800-172 on top of Level 2’s 110. Only the government, through DIBCAC, performs that assessment. ## Scores, POA&Ms and affirmations A Conditional CMMC status at Level 2 or Level 3 requires a minimum score of 80 percent of the maximum. Only the requirements the rule allows can land on a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M). Every item on that POA&M has to close within 180 days of the Conditional status, verified by a POA&M closeout assessment. Level 1 permits no POA&M at all, so its 15 requirements have to be fully met from the start. A Final CMMC status holds for three years, counted from the original Conditional status date. Every contractor has to affirm compliance annually, or the status lapses. ## The two rules The CMMC Program rule at 32 CFR Part 170 took effect December 16, 2024. It sets the levels, the scoring and the POA&M mechanics. The DFARS acquisition rule carrying clause 252.204-7021 took effect November 10, 2025. That rule puts a CMMC status requirement into a solicitation, and its effective date started the Phase 1 clock. ## Assessors and the Cyber AB A C3PAO conducts the certified Level 2 assessment through the certified professionals and assessors it employs (CCPs and CCAs). Level 3 assessments stay with DIBCAC. ISACA now certifies and trains those assessors on the program’s behalf. The Cyber AB accredits the C3PAOs themselves and runs the Marketplace contractors use to find one. A Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) gives advisory help getting ready for an assessment and cannot perform one. ## What CMMC costs The Department of War’s own regulatory impact analysis, published in the Federal Register alongside the CMMC Program rule, puts a dollar figure on the most common paths. Sellers quote a full first Level 2 cycle at [$50,000 to $300,000 or more](https://theauditrail.com/frameworks/cmmc/cost/). Assessment Entity size Assessment and affirmation Annual reaffirmation Level 1 self-assessment Small $5,977 $560 Level 1 self-assessment Other than small $4,042 $584 Level 2 self-assessment Small $34,277 $1,459 Level 2 self-assessment Other than small $43,403 $2,712 Level 2 C3PAO certification Small $101,752 $1,459 Level 2 C3PAO certification Other than small $112,345 $2,712 ## Which platforms cover CMMC All seven platforms rated on The Audit Trail list CMMC in their framework coverage. Sprinto ranks first overall at 84, Vanta second at 82, Drata third at 76, Secureframe fourth at 75, Scrut fifth at 72, OneTrust sixth at 64, and Thoropass seventh at 52. The [CMMC compliance software ranking](https://theauditrail.com/best/cmmc-compliance-software/) scores what each one does for CMMC specifically. ## CMMC guides [CMMC guide In brief - Level 2 means meeting the 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements, by self-assessment or C3PAO. - A Conditional status needs 80 percent of 110 points (0.8 x 110 = 88) and a POA&M closed in 180 days. Platforms in this post PlatformScore ![](https://theauditrail.com/logos/sprinto.png) Sprinto 84 ![](/logos/vanta.png) Vanta 82 ![](/logos/drata.png) Drata 76 ](/frameworks/cmmc/level-2/) [ CMMC guide ### CMMC Level 2 Certification: Requirements, Scoring and Timeline CMMC Level 2 covers 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. A Conditional status needs 80 percent of 110 points, which is 88, and a POA&M closed within 180 days. Oct 7, 2026 9 min read ](https://theauditrail.com/frameworks/cmmc/level-2/)[CMMC guide In brief - The Department of War estimates a Level 2 C3PAO assessment at $101,752 for a small entity. - That figure leaves out the cost of meeting the 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements. Platforms in this post PlatformScore ![](https://theauditrail.com/logos/sprinto.png) Sprinto 84 ![](/logos/vanta.png) Vanta 82 ![](/logos/drata.png) Drata 76 ](/frameworks/cmmc/cost/) [ CMMC guide ### CMMC Certification Cost: Department of War's Estimate and What Sellers Quote The Department of War puts a CMMC Level 2 C3PAO assessment at $101,752 for a small entity and $112,345 otherwise. Sellers quote the fee at $15,000 to $100,000+. Oct 6, 2026 9 min read ](https://theauditrail.com/frameworks/cmmc/cost/)[CMMC guide In brief - A C3PAO is the firm that performs CMMC Level 2 certification. - The Cyber AB reported 107 authorized C3PAOs in June 2026. Platforms in this post PlatformScore ![](https://theauditrail.com/logos/sprinto.png) Sprinto 84 ![](/logos/vanta.png) Vanta 82 ![](/logos/drata.png) Drata 76 ](/frameworks/cmmc/c3pao/) [ CMMC guide ### What Is a C3PAO? How Many There Are and How to Choose One A C3PAO performs CMMC Level 2 certification assessments. The Cyber AB reported 107 authorized C3PAOs in June 2026, for 76,598 organizations that may need one. Oct 2, 2026 6 min read ](https://theauditrail.com/frameworks/cmmc/c3pao/)