C3PAO

A C3PAO (CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization) is an independent company authorized by the CyberAB to conduct official CMMC assessments of defense contractors. Think of them as the certified inspectors — they send assessors to your company to verify that your cybersecurity practices actually meet CMMC requirements.

C3PAOs must themselves be certified and meet rigorous standards. They employ trained CMMC assessors who review your documentation, interview your staff, and test your systems to verify compliance. You choose and hire your own C3PAO, but they work independently — their job is to give an honest assessment, not to help you pass.