What is CMMC Level 2 and who needs it?

CMMC Level 2 requires compliance with all 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2. Any Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractor that handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on DoD contracts will need CMMC Level 2 certification. This affects an estimated 80,000+ contractors.

When is the CMMC certification deadline?

CMMC Phase 2 requires C3PAO third-party assessments starting November 2026. However, DoD is already including CMMC requirements in new contracts. Starting now gives you time to close gaps, build evidence, and avoid last-minute scrambles when every C3PAO is booked solid.

Can I use CMMC Command for my self-assessment?

Yes. The free tier gives you a complete 110-control NIST SP 800-171 assessment with real-time SPRS score calculation. You can document your status, identify gaps, and calculate your exact SPRS score which you're already required to submit to SPRS.mil.

How does the AI compliance analyst work?

Our 8 AI features analyze your actual assessment data - not generic templates. The AI generates gap analysis narratives, remediation plans with effort estimates, SSP implementation statements, evidence sufficiency reviews, and realistic C3PAO interview questions. It never sees your uploaded documents or CUI - only control metadata.

Do you store CUI or sensitive documents?

No. CMMC Command stores compliance metadata - control statuses, SPRS scores, task assignments, and evidence references. Uploaded evidence files are scanned for CUI markers and we explicitly do not store controlled unclassified information.

How does CMMC Command compare to hiring a consultant?

A typical CMMC consultant charges $200-$400/hr, and most assessments require 80-200 hours ($16K-$80K). CMMC Command replaces the ongoing assessment tracking, gap analysis, document generation, and remediation planning for $749/mo.

What integrations are supported?

We connect with 10 security tools: Microsoft Entra ID, Microsoft 365 & Defender, CrowdStrike Falcon, Google Workspace, AWS, SentinelOne, Tenable.io, KnowBe4, Jamf Pro, and Okta. Each integration auto-collects compliance evidence mapped to specific NIST controls.

Can I cancel anytime?

Yes. All plans are month-to-month with no long-term contracts. Annual plans offer 2 months free. If you cancel, you retain read-only access to your data for 30 days. We also support full data export.

CMMC Compliance Software vs. Hiring a Consultant: Real Cost Comparison

The Real Cost of CMMC Compliance

Getting CMMC Level 2 certified isn't optional for defense contractors handling CUI, but the cost varies dramatically depending on your approach. Let's break down the real numbers.

Option 1: Traditional Consultant Engagement

Typical Consultant Costs

Service	Hours	Rate	Cost
Gap assessment	40-80 hrs	$200-400/hr	$8,000-$32,000
Policy documentation	60-120 hrs	$200-400/hr	$12,000-$48,000
SSP writing	40-80 hrs	$200-400/hr	$8,000-$32,000
POA&M development	20-40 hrs	$200-400/hr	$4,000-$16,000
Evidence collection coaching	30-60 hrs	$200-400/hr	$6,000-$24,000
Mock assessment	16-24 hrs	$200-400/hr	$3,200-$9,600
Total	206-404 hrs		$41,200-$161,600

Most small-to-mid-size contractors spend $30,000-$80,000 on consultant-led CMMC readiness. Larger organizations with complex environments can exceed $150,000.

What Consultants Do Well

Deep expertise in specific control implementations
Hands-on technical remediation for complex environments
Relationship with C3PAOs and the assessment ecosystem
Custom advice for unique organizational challenges

Where Consultants Fall Short

One-time engagement: When they leave, knowledge leaves with them
No ongoing monitoring: Compliance drift goes undetected
Manual processes: Spreadsheets, Word docs, and email chains
Expensive updates: Any changes require billable hours
No real-time scoring: SPRS calculations are point-in-time snapshots

Option 2: CMMC Compliance Software

Software Platform Costs (Annual)

Platform Type	Monthly Cost	Annual Cost	What You Get
Basic assessment tools	$0-100/mo	$0-1,200/yr	Control tracking, basic scoring
Mid-tier platforms	$250-500/mo	$3,000-6,000/yr	Evidence vault, document generation, policy templates
Full-feature platforms	$500-1,500/mo	$6,000-18,000/yr	AI features, integrations, analytics, collaboration
Enterprise GRC suites	$2,000-5,000/mo	$24,000-60,000/yr	Multi-framework, enterprise features, API access

CMMC Command falls in the mid-tier to full-feature range:

Free: Complete 110-control assessment with SPRS scoring
Starter ($249/mo): Evidence, documents, policies, $2,988/year
Professional ($749/mo): AI + integrations + full platform, $8,988/year

What Software Does Well

Continuous compliance: Always-on monitoring and tracking
Real-time SPRS scoring: Updates as you implement controls
Automated evidence collection: Integrations pull evidence automatically
Document generation: SSP and POA&M in DOD format, instantly
Team collaboration: Multiple users working simultaneously
Audit trail: Every change logged automatically

Where Software Falls Short

Can't physically configure your firewall or SIEM
Won't conduct the C3PAO assessment for you
May not cover highly specialized edge cases

The Real Answer: Both (But Differently)

The most cost-effective approach for most contractors:

Phase 1: Software-First Self-Assessment (Weeks 1-4)

Use a platform like CMMC Command to assess all 110 controls
Calculate your real SPRS score
Identify and prioritize gaps
Generate initial SSP and POA&M
Cost: $0-$249/month

Phase 2: Targeted Consultant Support (Weeks 4-8)

Bring in a consultant for the specific gaps you can't close yourself
They work from your existing assessment, not starting from scratch
Focus on technical remediation, not documentation (the platform handles that)
Cost: $5,000-$15,000 (targeted, not full engagement)

Phase 3: Platform-Driven Maintenance (Ongoing)

Continuous monitoring with drift alerts
Evidence vault stays current
AI-assisted policy updates
Team training tracking
Cost: $249-$749/month

Total Cost Comparison

Approach	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	3-Year Total
Consultant only	$50,000+	$15,000+	$15,000+	$80,000+
Software only	$3,000-9,000	$3,000-9,000	$3,000-9,000	$9,000-27,000
Hybrid approach	$8,000-18,000	$3,000-9,000	$3,000-9,000	$14,000-36,000

The hybrid approach saves 55-75% over consultant-only while getting you audit-ready faster and maintaining ongoing compliance.

When You Definitely Need a Consultant

Some situations require specialized expertise:

FedRAMP environments: Complex cloud authorization boundaries
Multi-enclave architectures: CUI flowing between classified and unclassified systems
Legacy systems: Older systems that can't be easily updated
First C3PAO assessment: Some contractors want a consultant present during the assessment

The Bottom Line

For most small-to-mid-size DIB contractors, the right strategy is:

Start with free software to understand your gaps and SPRS score
Use the platform's AI and automation to close as many gaps as possible independently
Bring in a consultant only for what you can't do yourself
Keep the platform running for continuous compliance between assessment cycles

Start your free CMMC assessment. You'll know your exact SPRS score in under 30 minutes.