How much does it cost to get your CMMC 2.0 Compliance?

The Department of Defense is in the process of implementing CMMC 2.0 requirements for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). Contractors should stay informed about the latest timelines and prepare accordingly.

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Introduction to CMMC Cost components

On December 16, 2024, the Department of Defense published the Final CMMC Rule. The Final Rule represents a pivotal step in the cybersecurity of the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). With the Final CMMC Rule, DoD has made significant changes that will have long-term impacts on how CMMC2.0 requirements are implemented in the DIB Supply chain.

Check out our Federal Contractor’s Guide to CMMC 2.0 that answers the most important questions on CMMC Compliance Certification.

Now that CMMC Compliance is inevitable, many Defense Contractors may still be hesitant to start their CMMC Compliance journey due to the cost involved. It is particularly challenging for Small to Medium size Defense Contractors. But the cost of CMMC Non-Compliance is much higher than cost of CMMC Compliance.

If you are a part of the DoD supply chain ecosystem, you must get your CMMC Certification to maintain your competitive edge and your eligibility to bid on DoD Contracts in future.

Being a CMMC candidate, getting your CMMC Compliance requires organizational and monetary resources. So, let's understand how different factors affect the cost of CMMC Compliance.

Understanding the cost elements of CMMC Certification

Understanding the cost elements of CMMC certification is essential for effective budgeting and strategic planning. Typically, CMMC costs break down into several key components: initial readiness assessment, gap analysis, and remediation; internal and external resource expenses, including hiring consultants or Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs); and the actual assessment or certification costs involving accredited Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs).

Additionally, ongoing costs for maintaining compliance—such as continuous monitoring, staff training, security updates, and regular self-assessments or third-party audits—are critical considerations.

For instance, small-to-medium-sized companies may spend between $5,000 and $20,000 on initial readiness activities alone, with further expenses for technical implementation and remediation frequently ranging from $10,000 to upwards of $100,000, depending on the complexity of systems and the desired CMMC level. Investing thoughtfully in each of these areas can significantly reduce long-term cybersecurity risks, positioning your organization as a trusted, secure partner within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).

The following are the main cost elements that affect the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Compliance.

The Level of CMMC that you want to certify under
- To understand what it costs to implement CMMC in your organization, you first need to figure out which CMMC Level you will be certified. A thorough CUI scoping exercise will help you determine the suitable CMMC Level your company needs to comply. Each level has its requirements, and there are different technologies you can use to meet them. The higher the CMMC Level, the higher the cost of Certification.
- For CMMC Level 1, there is no external audit required; therefore, you save on the audit cost. For CMMC Level 2, an external audit by a CyberAB-authorized C3PAO is needed, so there is an audit cost. Finally, for CMMC Level 3, an external audit by a government-led entity is required, so there is a preparatory audit cost.
Existing security compliance
- Suppose you have an existing non-governmental security framework like ISO 27001, ISO 27002, GDPR, or HIPAA. In that case, you can leverage some of your security controls to comply with CMMC, thereby saving on time and cost for certification readiness.
Time required to prepare for CMMC
- The other cost element is the time required to prepare for CMMC. For CMMC compliance, training and documentation development will be necessary for implementing new procedures and policies. It is also essential to have policies in place to report malicious cyber incidents. Thus, the time required to prepare for CMMC is directly related to the organization's size, current cybersecurity maturity level, number of people, etc., and the cost is a function of time.
The number of people involved in the project
- As already mentioned, the other factor that can affect the cost of CMMC is the number of people involved in the project. The more people involved in the CMMC assessment, the higher the price. However, the cost will also be proportional to the organization's size. For example, if fewer people in the organization are involved in the CMMC compliance journey, the prices will be lower. However, the number of employees with access to the CUI will be a crucial driver of the overall CMMC compliance costs.
Technology implementation
- Depending on the existing cybersecurity maturity of the organization, one other factor in calculating the cost of CMMC is the technology implemented. For example, some businesses will need a cloud-based app to manage their CUI, but this does not make the process more expensive. It can limit the scope of the project, however.
- The compliance cost also depends on the type of cybersecurity protocols used. For example, if your company uses encryption, it is crucial to ensure it is FIPS 140-2 compliant.
The complexity of the Business Model
- Finally, the cost of implementing CMMC 2.0 will vary depending on the complexity of your business. For instance, a large organization with a large IT staff and a large amount of technology will have a more difficult time implementing CMMC than a small or mid-sized business.
Other Factor
- Other considerations are companies in Joint-Venture that have contracts that require CMMC compliance. Small and Midsize businesses often form a JV to go after contracting vehicles such as CIO-SP4, 8(a) STARS III, Polaris, etc. All these vehicles have CMMC compliance requirements, which flow down to individual companies in the JV.
- Companies with multiple locations and offshore locations add additional complexity to the CMMC scoping and compliance.
- Likewise, the more people who are going to be involved in the CMMC assessment and the more technologies that the CUI will touch, the higher the cost will be.

How much does CMMC Compliance cost in dollar value?

The cost of achieving CMMC compliance varies widely based on several factors, including the size of the organization, the level of compliance required (Levels 1, 2, or 3), the complexity of IT infrastructure, and whether external consultants or service providers are utilized.

Typically, small to medium-sized businesses might face initial compliance costs ranging from approximately $3,000 to $5,000 for basic Level 1 self-assessments, up to $50,000 to $100,000 or more for Level 2 or Level 3 certifications involving third-party assessments (C3PAOs).

Additionally, ongoing annual expenses for maintaining cybersecurity controls, periodic reassessments, and system improvements should also be considered, potentially adding tens of thousands of dollars annually to operational budgets. Thus, organizations should strategically budget and plan based on their required CMMC level and internal cybersecurity maturity

Below is the breakdown to give you some idea of the cost considerations for CMMC Level 2 compliance.

How do I start on the CMMC journey?

As a DoD contractor, you must take on the responsibility of implementing CMMC. For this reason, it is essential to consult with experts. Also, proper CMMC consulting can help you cut down on the cost of CMMC 2.0.

While choosing your CMMC compliance expert, ensure that the cybersecurity organization you decide to work with is Cyber-AB certified Registered Provider Organization (RPO) or CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) authorized and has years of experience handling NIST/DFAR Compliance for federal contractors.

You can also seek out Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) that specialize in CMMC compliance. These organizations have a detailed understanding of the control families and know all the CMMC requirements.