HCRS Helps C3PAOs Address the Growing CMMC Audit Backlog

The demand for services from CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) has grown rapidly as the requirements for the updated Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification go into effect. Companies in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) must meet compliance standards to maintain their government contracts, and the number of businesses seeking certification has increased dramatically. While this has created an influx of opportunities for C3PAOs, it has also led to a growing backlog, with many contractors waiting weeks to months to complete assessments and become certified.

C3PAOs in Need: An Opportunity and a Challenge

While business is obviously good for C3PAOs, it can also be difficult. On one hand, there is no shortage of clients that need audits. On the other, the sheer number of businesses seeking certification has placed immense pressure on assessors to complete their work. Many of these clients are unprepared, which can lead to delays, failed scores, and additional remediation work that can slow the entire process. 

Limited Availability

One of the main contributors to this backlog is the limited number of authorized C3PAOs. These assessors must themselves be certified by The Cyber AB, and the pool of qualified experts is not expanding quickly enough to meet demand. Additionally, evolving compliance standards have created confusion among contractors, further complicating their paths to certification. Even with CMMC 2.0’s revised guidelines that were meant to help small to medium-sized businesses, many of them may lack the internal resources and expertise to meet the necessary requirements.

Why Contractors Fail Their Assessments

Many companies underestimate the complexity of the certification process. Some assume they can meet CMMC requirements quickly, or that they already do. But gaps in cybersecurity policies, documentation, and services often lead to audit failures. There’s a reason why 58% of surveyed government contractors admit they aren’t ready.

These failures not only delay certification but also require companies to go through costly remediation before they can attempt the process again. For C3PAOs, this means spending more time on reassessments and administrative work instead of helping new clients, further contributing to the backlog.

How Contractors Can Prepare

Rather than wait until they meet with C3PAOs directly, contractors would do well to obtain comprehensive CMMC audit preparation and guidance. These proactive services identify the requirements they lack, and establish POA&Ms on how they’ll be able to address them, thereby significantly improving their chances of passing formal assessments on their first attempts. C3PAO assessors subsequently spend less time on compliance gaps and remediation.

HCRS Partners With C3PAOs

HealthCare Resolution Services (HCRS) provides CMMC audit preparation services so that organizations are fully prepared before their assessments. We partner with C3PAOs to help their clients meet all necessary requirements under the latest CMMC framework so that they have a simplified certification process.

We begin with pre-assessment readiness reviews, conducting thorough gap analyses to identify potential issues with compliance. We then offer document and policy support so that clients align with the appropriate CMMC maturity levels. Beyond paperwork, we also address the necessary controls for proper cybersecurity and data access. For those clients that want to maintain compliance in the long term, we can facilitate ongoing monitoring and support to keep them audit-ready after certification.

Let’s Work Together

As a C3PAO, you can substantially improve your auditing backlog by partnering with us. Rather than spend valuable time guiding businesses through remediation, you’ll be able to focus more on actual certifications. This partnership ultimately benefits all parties involved by improving success rates and reducing assessment times. 

Contact us today to learn how working together can help more of your clients become certified.