Top 9 CMMC Consultants for Defense Contractors in 2026

What are CMMC consultants? A CMMC consultant can help guide defense contractors understand and prepare for Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements. They assess gaps, help identify and scope the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) environment, guide remediation, and organize evidence.

Defense Industrial Base (DIB) contractors face a changing CMMC timeline in 2026. Phase II requirements were suspended on July 13, 2026, while Phase I self-assessments remain in place.

Defense contractors must still protect covered defense information under existing contract requirements. CMMC Level 2 aligns with 110 NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 security requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Meeting these requirements takes careful scoping, documentation, remediation, and ongoing security work.

The right partner can help you organize responsibilities, address identified gaps, and retain evidence that may support future assessments.

That is why we created this list of CMMC consultants and partners. It will help you compare each provider’s focus, services, and fit for your organization.

Key Takeaways

• CMMC Level 2 aligns with 110 NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 security requirements.

• Consultants help with guidance for scoping, gap assessments, documentation, remediation guidance, and assessment preparation.

• Your IT team or Managed Service Provider usually performs the required technical remediation.

• The right partner should help support and guide current self-assessments and organize evidence for future requirements.

What do CMMC consultants actually do?

CMMC consultants and partners offer different types of support. Some focus on readiness and documentation. Others also provide managed security, cloud, or broader risk services.

The scope of an engagement depends on your contracts, systems, internal resources, and current security practices. A consultant may help with:

• Gap assessment and control mapping: Compare your current policies, systems, and practices with CMMC Level 2 requirements. Findings can identify possible gaps, supporting evidence, responsible owners, and next steps. This NIST SP 800-171 guide provides more detail on the requirements.

• System boundary and scoping: Help identify where Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is stored, processed, and transmitted. This may include relevant users, devices, applications, networks, and security tools.

• Documentation: Help create or update a System Security Plan (SSP). Consultants may also document unresolved gaps in a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), where permitted. Some providers also assist with Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score preparation.

• Remediation advisory: Explain which changes may be needed and how your team can document the results. Your IT team or Managed Service Provider (MSP) usually performs the technical work. Cybersecurity support for IT leaders can help teams manage ongoing security responsibilities.

• Assessment preparation: Organize evidence, prepare employees for interviews, and review possible assessor questions. Consultants may also coordinate with a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) when a third-party assessment applies.

Top CMMC Consultants and Partners Compared

1. RADICL

Best for: Regulated growing businesses and DIB suppliers seeking Virtual Security Operations Center (vSOC) support with CMMC readiness guidance.

RADICL combines Managed Compliance Adherence (MCA) with ongoing managed security services. Compliance consultants help interpret requirements, review evidence, and answer questions specific to your organization.

These services can help your team prepare for self-assessments and future third-party reviews. They do not guarantee certification or replace your organization’s implementation responsibilities.

RADICL also supports ongoing security work connected to common CMMC requirements:

• Managed Log Analytics (MLA) centralizes and retains log data for searches, investigations, and evidence collection.

• Managed Detection and Response (MDR) provides 24/7 monitoring, investigation, and coordinated incident response.

• Managed Attack Surface (MAS) prioritizes vulnerabilities and provides clear remediation guidance.

• Managed Security Awareness (MSA) supports ongoing training, phishing simulations, and reporting.

The RADICL difference: RADICL brings readiness guidance and managed security operations into one service model. The vSOC uses AI-supported technology and human analysts to monitor and investigate threats around the clock.

RADICL works alongside your IT team or MSP. Your team or MSP completes customer-side control implementation and remediation tasks. RADICL can provide guidance, track progress, and organize evidence that may support an assessment.

 2. CyberSheath

Known for: Defense Industrial Base (DIB) cybersecurity, CMMC readiness, and NIST SP 800-171 implementation.

CyberSheath focuses on organizations working with the Department of Defense. Its services cover assessment, implementation, and ongoing management.

The company offers gap assessments, policy development, technical controls, managed security, and managed compliance. It also supports cloud, on-premises, and hybrid environments.

CyberSheath’s approach connects NIST SP 800-171, Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), and CMMC requirements. This may suit contractors seeking one provider across readiness and ongoing operations.

Considerations: CyberSheath offers both consulting and managed services. Confirm which implementation, monitoring, and evidence tasks are included in your agreement. You should also identify which responsibilities remain with your internal team or MSP.

3. Summit 7

Known for: Microsoft 365 GCC High, Azure Government, and managed services for DIB cloud environments.

Summit 7 provides CMMC consulting, cloud projects, managed IT, security monitoring, and governance support. Its Microsoft services include licensing guidance, migrations, and architecture for regulated environments. The company also offers managed security and compliance advisory services.

Considerations: Summit 7 has a significant focus on Microsoft 365 GCC High and Azure Government environments. Organizations using other platforms should confirm how well its services support their existing infrastructure and security tools.

4. Schellman

Known for: Formal CMMC assessments and assurance work across several security frameworks.

Schellman is a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO). It also performs Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), SOC, ISO, and other assessments. Its work centers on independent assessments and attestations. This may suit organizations managing several formal assurance requirements.

Considerations: Schellman primarily provides independent assessments and assurance services. Organizations may need a separate provider for readiness guidance, remediation planning, or ongoing security operations. Assessment independence should remain clear throughout the engagement.

5. CBIZ Pivot Point Security

Known for: Structured CMMC and NIST readiness guidance.

CBIZ Pivot Point Security provides cybersecurity advisory services, assessments, and Virtual Chief Information Security Officer support. Its CMMC compliance consulting may include gap analysis, policy development, risk planning, and Information Security Management System guidance.

Considerations: Buyers should confirm how far the engagement extends beyond assessments, policies, and advisory support. Technical remediation and ongoing security work may remain with your internal IT team or MSP.

6. TestPros

Known for: Independent assessments covering CMMC, NIST SP 800-171, and Controlled Unclassified Information.

TestPros provides IT compliance assessments, consulting, testing, and documentation support. Its federal experience includes work across several government security standards.

For CMMC, its services focus on evaluating systems and practices against applicable requirements. TestPros also provides NIST SP 800-171 assessments and compliance resources.

Considerations: TestPros emphasizes assessments, testing, documentation, and compliance planning. Confirm whether you also need ongoing monitoring, incident response, vulnerability management, or managed security from another provider.

7. CohnReznick

Known for: CMMC assessment services combined with government contracting and business risk advisory.

CohnReznick is both an authorized C3PAO and a Registered Provider Organization (RPO). Its team supports consulting, readiness, and formal assessments.

The firm also has experience in government contracting, procurement, cybersecurity, and broader business advisory services.

This combination may suit organizations that want CMMC support alongside corporate risk, financial, or contracting guidance.

Considerations: CohnReznick offers CMMC services within a broader advisory practice. Ask who will manage your engagement and whether technical implementation or ongoing

8. Kratos

Known for: Cybersecurity work in defense, space, federal, and national security environments.

Kratos serves government and defense organizations across cybersecurity, engineering, communications, and mission systems. Its broader federal experience may suit contractors with complex environments or specialized national security requirements.

Organizations should confirm which CMMC readiness, documentation, and assessment services are included in the proposed engagement.

Considerations: Kratos supports complex defense and federal environments. Growing businesses should confirm whether the proposed service scope, delivery model, and costs match their size and internal resources.

9. BDO and Cherry Bekaert

Known for: Accounting and advisory-led CMMC support.

BDO and Cherry Bekaert are separate professional services firms. Both serve government contractors through risk, cybersecurity, accounting, and compliance advisory practices.

Their CMMC work may include readiness assessments, gap analysis, documentation support, and broader government contracting guidance.

These firms may be relevant when CMMC preparation connects with financial controls, enterprise risk, audits, or contract compliance.

Buyers should compare each firm separately. Their credentials, service scope, and technical implementation support may differ.

Considerations: BDO and Cherry Bekaert are separate firms and should be evaluated individually. Confirm each provider’s CMMC credentials, technical capabilities, assessment role, and support for ongoing security operations.

How to choose the right CMMC partner

The right partner should fit your current environment, internal resources, and assessment needs. Use this checklist to compare responsibilities before signing an agreement

1. Clarify advisory and execution responsibilities

• Look for a clear scope showing which tasks the partner advises on, manages, or assigns to your team.
• Ask: Which remediation tasks will you manage? Which tasks remain with our IT team or Managed Service Provider?

2. Review credentials and DIB experience

• Look for relevant credentials, such as Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO), Certified CMMC Professional (CCP), or Certified CMMC Assessor (CCA).
• Confirm experience supporting organizations with similar contracts, systems, and Defense Industrial Base requirements.
• Ask: Who will work on our engagement, and which credentials do they hold?

3. Evaluate evidence support

• Look for processes that help collect, organize, and retain policies, logs, training records, and other assessment evidence.
• Confirm which evidence the partner supports and which records your team must produce.
• Ask: How will you help us organize and retain evidence for an assessment?

4. Ask about common sticking points

• Look for practical support with requirements that involve ongoing operational work.
• Examples include incident response testing and audit logging.
• Ask: How do you support these requirements, and how will progress be documented?

5. Confirm MSP compatibility

• Look for a partner that can work alongside your existing IT team, tools, and Managed Service Provider.
• Responsibilities and communication paths should be clear from the beginning.
• Ask: Can you work with our current MSP without requiring unnecessary infrastructure changes?

Tip: For more background, review the complete guide to CMMC. You can also review cybersecurity support for MSPs when comparing collaboration models.

Turn CMMC Readiness Into Ongoing Operations

As we have learned, consultants can provide guidance and help you assess gaps, organize documentation, and prepare for an assessment. CMMC readiness also depends on daily monitoring, logging, vulnerability management, training, and incident response.

RADICL brings compliance guidance and managed security operations into one service model.

With RADICL, Koontz Electric used guided templates, regular check-ins, a dashboard, and managed security services. The company later earned a 110 out of 110 score during its C3PAO assessment.

Every organization’s path and assessment outcome will depend on its environment and implementation. Read the Koontz Electric case study.

Stop managing spreadsheets and start operationalizing your security. Talk to RADICL about supporting readiness through ongoing security operations.

CMMC FAQs

Do I really need a CMMC consultant?

Some organizations can manage CMMC readiness with their existing internal expertise. Others benefit from a CMMC compliance consultant when scoping, documentation, or evidence responsibilities remain unclear.

A consultant can provide guidance, identify possible gaps, and help prepare your team. Your organization remains responsible for implementation and assessment outcomes.

What is the difference between an RPO and a C3PAO?

A Registered Practitioner Organization (RPO) provides CMMC implementation consulting and readiness guidance. A CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) performs authorized CMMC assessments.

Searches for CMMC certification companies often group these providers, although their roles differ. Practitioners who supported your implementation cannot later assess that work for the same organization.

How much does CMMC consulting cost?

The price of CMMC compliance consulting depends on your scope, systems, current security posture, documentation, and remediation needs.

Ask each provider to separate readiness consulting, managed security, technical remediation, and C3PAO assessment costs. This makes one-time and ongoing expenses easier to compare.

Can my current MSP handle CMMC compliance?

Your MSP may support CMMC if it understands NIST SP 800-171, CUI scoping, evidence, and ongoing security operations.

Ask which requirements it supports, what evidence it retains, and who handles unresolved work. Some MSPs partner with compliance consultants or managed security providers for specialized responsibilities.

Your organization remains responsible for confirming that every requirement is addressed and supported by appropriate evidence.