You’ve lined up meetings with a few CMMC compliance providers. You’re not a cybersecurity expert and you don’t need to become one. But you do need to walk out of these meetings knowing who can help you and who’s going to waste your time.

The challenge in choosing a provider is that Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance is new enough that plenty of companies are figuring it out as they go. Some have added compliance services to their existing IT offerings without much depth. Others talk a good game but don’t have a process that will get you through assessment and set you up for ongoing compliance.

Learn about CMMC Compliance Services from XPERTECHS

What Credible Providers Sound Like

Credible providers reveal themselves pretty quickly if you know what to listen for. You don’t need a list of interview questions. You just need to recognize what experience and a solid process sound like in conversation.

They ask about your situation before pitching their solution

A provider who knows CMMC asks about your contracts and where your data lives before launching into a sales pitch. If they’re describing their services without understanding your situation, they’re not starting from the right place.

They bring up scoping early

One of the biggest mistakes companies make is assuming their entire IT environment needs CMMC compliance. A good provider brings up scoping early in the conversation, explaining how to limit what needs to be included so you’re not creating unnecessary work and cost. If scoping isn’t addressed or they assume everything’s in scope, that’s a problem.

They show you their process

Ask to see their compliance system. A credible process involves a platform where your team can track progress, upload documentation, and see what’s done and what’s still needed. If all they offer is consulting calls and email exchanges, you’ll end up with documentation scattered everywhere and no clear picture of where you stand.

They’re realistic about timeline and effort

Someone who tells you they can get you compliant in a week or two either doesn’t understand what compliance involves or they’re just telling you what they think you want to hear. Even Level 1 takes time for documentation, policies, scoping, and evidence gathering. A credible provider is honest about the timeline and clear about what your team needs to do.

Related: Overcoming the Top CMMC Compliance Challenges

What You Need Before You Leave the Meeting

Listening for the right signals tells you whether a provider is credible. But you also need to walk away with concrete information about how the partnership would work. These are the details that should be clear before you make a decision.

What happens in the first 30 days

Walk out with a clear picture of what happens first—onboarding, scoping, initial documentation review. If the first steps aren’t clear, the rest won’t be either.

What your team has to do

Compliance requires your participation. You need to know what they’re asking your team to provide, who needs to be involved, and how much time it takes.

What you get at the end

You should have organized documentation, completed assessment files, and everything ready for submission or audit. Make sure you understand what you’re receiving.

How annual renewals work

Ask what happens next year. Will you start over or build on existing documentation? How do they keep you updated on regulatory changes? What does ongoing support look like?

Related: Should You Handle CMMC Compliance In-House or Work with an MSP?

How XPERTECHS Approaches CMMC Compliance

XPERTECHS is a Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) with certified Registered Practitioners (RP) on staff. We work with government contractors on Level 1 self-assessments and support companies working toward Level 2 and Level 3 compliance.

We use a cloud-based GRC (Governance, Risk, and Compliance) system where your team collaborates with ours in real time. You see where you are in the process, what’s been completed, and what still needs attention. At the end, you get organized files with all your documentation, policies, and assessment reports in one place.

We handle both the technical security implementation and the compliance documentation, so everything connects.

CMMC Case Study

One client came to us just weeks before their Level 1 deadline. They’d done some preparation but weren’t confident in their documentation or their answers. We helped them get everything organized, complete their assessment, and submit on time. Now they’re set up for easy annual renewals instead of starting from scratch each year.

Choose a CMMC Provider Based on Experience and Process

You don’t need to become a CMMC expert to choose the right partner. Listen for experience, look for a credible process, and pay attention to whether they’re trying to understand your situation or just sell you their services. The right partner makes compliance manageable. The wrong one costs you time, money, and contract opportunities.

Ready to discuss your CMMC compliance needs? Get in touch.