Simplifying CMMC 2.0

AltivusOS is your Compliance Operating System.

We guide DoD contractors through every phase of the CMMC 2.0 journey—from initial assessment and POA&M development to remediation and self-assessment. Our platform and experts work together to cost-effectively ensure you’re audit-ready.

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Understading CMMC Compliance

For years, defense contractors working with the U.S. government have operated under a system built on trust. If you said you were compliant with cybersecurity requirements like DFARS or NIST SP 800-171, that was enough. No audit. No independent verification. Just self-attestation.

That era has ended.

After multiple security incidents exposed critical vulnerabilities — and with adversaries increasingly targeting the defense industrial base — the Department of Defense has drawn a hard line: Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is now the standard. And it’s mandatory.

CMMC raises the bar by introducing a tiered framework that evaluates not only what security controls you have in place, but how well you’ve operationalized them. It measures your capability to safeguard two key types of data:

  • Federal Contract Information (FCI)

  • Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Whether you're handling procurement details or sensitive military data, your ability to protect that information now determines whether you can compete for and retain defense contracts.

The message from the DoD is clear: cybersecurity maturity is no longer a checkbox — it’s a contract requirement.

That’s where we come in. We help contractors transition from outdated self-attestation models to fully documented, audit-ready cybersecurity programs tailored to meet CMMC requirements. Whether you’re just starting or need to shore up existing systems, we’ll help you move forward with confidence.

Understanding Compliance Levels

Level 1: Foundational

The essential cybersecurity practices that form the backbone of any secure organization working with the federal government. At this level, the focus is on protecting Federal Contract Information (FCI), not Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), making it ideal for contractors handling less sensitive data.

To meet Level 1 requirements, your organization must implement the 17 basic safeguarding practices outlined in FAR 52.204-21. These practices cover core areas like access control, system configuration, and basic incident response — providing a strong first line of defense.

Level 2: Advanced Security

CMMC Level 3 — known as "Expert" — is designed for organizations defending against the most sophisticated threats: Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). These are not one-off attacks; they’re prolonged, targeted campaigns by well-resourced adversaries intent on breaching your systems and staying hidden.

To reach this level, you’ll need to:

  • Meet all Level 1 and Level 2 requirements, including 110 controls from NIST SP 800-171.

  • Implement 24 additional enhanced controls from NIST SP 800-172, focused on areas like threat hunting, system resilience, and damage containment.

  • Undergo a rigorous assessment conducted by the Defense Industrial Base Cybersecurity Assessment Center (DIBCAC) — a high-stakes audit where readiness is non-negotiable.

Level 3: Expert Cybersecurity

For defense contractors working with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or supporting programs critical to national security, CMMC Level 2 is not optional — it’s mandated. This level represents a significant step up in cybersecurity maturity, requiring strict alignment with federal standards and a demonstrated commitment to protecting sensitive data.

To achieve compliance at Level 2, organizations must fully implement the 110 security practices outlined in NIST SP 800-171. These controls go far beyond basic hygiene — covering areas such as access control, incident response, system integrity, and configuration management.

Our Approach

  • Our CMMC Rapid Assessment is designed to give defense contractors a clear, actionable picture of where they stand with the new cybersecurity requirements. In just a few days, we evaluate your current controls against the CMMC 2.0 framework—whether Level 1 or Level 2—identify gaps, and outline exactly what’s needed to achieve compliance. You’ll receive a concise readiness report, including a prioritized remediation plan and practical next steps for submitting your SPRS score or preparing for a third-party audit.

  • Accurate data collection is the foundation of any successful CMMC assessment. Our team gathers the technical and administrative information needed to evaluate your environment—covering systems, users, configurations, and security controls. This includes inventories of devices and networks, access control reports, vulnerability scans, system configurations, firewall and endpoint protection data, and log samples from monitoring tools. By analyzing this evidence, we identify compliance gaps, verify implemented safeguards, and build the supporting documentation required for your System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M). The result is a clear, evidence-based picture of your cybersecurity posture and a prioritized roadmap to full compliance.

  • After the data collection phase, our team conducts a detailed technical review to validate how your systems, configurations, and security controls align with CMMC requirements. We analyze network and endpoint configurations, access controls, vulnerability scans, and system logs to verify that safeguards are both implemented and effective. Each finding is mapped to the relevant CMMC control, highlighting areas that meet compliance and those that require remediation. The result is a clear, evidence-based understanding of your organization’s cybersecurity posture—providing the foundation for your System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).

  • The Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) is the roadmap for achieving full CMMC compliance. After identifying gaps during the assessment and technical review phases, our team documents each unmet control, the specific actions required to correct it, and the resources and timelines needed to complete remediation. Every POA&M includes clear milestones, responsible parties, and evidence requirements, ensuring that progress is measurable and aligned with CMMC and NIST 800-171 standards. This living document not only guides remediation efforts but also demonstrates to auditors and contracting officers that your organization is actively managing and improving its cybersecurity posture.

  • Before scheduling a formal C3PAO audit, our CMMC Pre-Assessment helps ensure your organization is truly ready for certification. We conduct a simulated audit that mirrors the official assessment process—reviewing your System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), technical configurations, and implemented controls across all 110 NIST 800-171 requirements. Our team validates evidence, interviews key personnel, and identifies any remaining gaps that could affect your audit outcome. The result is a clear readiness report and updated remediation plan that give you the confidence to enter the C3PAO audit fully prepared and positioned for success.

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Our Services

vCISO & Advisory

A vCISO provides expert guidance on frameworks like NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC, helping interpret and implement control requirements across your organization. They conduct risk assessments, develop Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), and align remediation efforts to meet SPRS scoring and audit expectations. By bridging technical controls with policy objectives, a vCISO ensures your compliance program is both practical and defensible. They coordinate with internal teams, define governance structures, and support change management to embed security practices into daily operations. Their ability to translate technical needs into executive-level priorities drives alignment, resourcing, and long-term program success.

CyberSecurity Engineering

Achieving CMMC compliance is a milestone—maintaining it is an ongoing mission. Once certified, your organization must stay aligned with evolving DoD cybersecurity standards, respond to new threats, and ensure continuous program enforcement. Altivus provides ongoing compliance management, including proactive system monitoring, routine control validation, log analysis, and threat detection to identify and address potential vulnerabilities before they become risks. We help you operationalize your System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), ensuring documentation stays current and audit-ready. Our team also keeps your employees engaged through refresher training and supports the implementation of updated controls as CMMC requirements evolve.

Management and Maintenance

Our team will build a compliant, audit-ready environment by addressing both human and technical gaps. We assist in pre-training employees, reinforcing cybersecurity awareness and operational discipline aligned with CMMC 2.0 standards. Our experts support large-scale infrastructure upgrades—from identity and access management to system hardening and secure configuration—to meet the technical requirements of your targeted CMMC level. Throughout the process, our help desk provides responsive support and guidance, helping your team adopt and maintain compliant processes and technologies. Whether you’re remediating weaknesses uncovered in a gap assessment or preparing for a third-party audit, Altivus is your partner.

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