Achieving CMMC certification is essential for your organization to win and maintain DoD contracts, but the costs can quickly add up if you’re not prepared. Without a clear understanding of the financial investment required, you risk underestimating expenses, delaying compliance, or even losing contract opportunities.
The cost of CMMC certification depends on several factors, including your organization's size, current security posture, and required certification level.
You’ll need to budget for gap assessments, remediation efforts, third-party assessments, and ongoing compliance maintenance. However, by understanding these cost drivers and working with experienced compliance partners, you can manage expenses effectively and streamline the certification process.
So, how much will CMMC certification cost your organization? Let’s break down the key factors that influence pricing.
Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification is a framework established by the U.S. Department of Defense to ensure defense contractors implement strong cybersecurity practices to protect Controlled Unclassified Information.
CMMC certification confirms that your organization meets the necessary security standards outlined in the framework. It is mandatory for defense contractors and subcontractors handling CUI, meaning without certification, your organization may become ineligible for DoD contracts.
The cost of CMMC certification depends on several factors, including your required CMMC level, company size, security posture, and compliance readiness. Generally, organizations with less mature cybersecurity practices or those needing higher certification levels will face higher costs.
CMMC certification is not optional for DoD contractors handling CUI. It ensures that your cybersecurity practices align with DoD requirements, helping protect sensitive government data from cyber threats.
By achieving CMMC certification, your organization can:
Implementing CMMC security controls helps reduce the risk of data breaches, cyberattacks, and unauthorized access to sensitive information.
Without CMMC certification, your organization cannot bid on or maintain contracts that require compliance. Achieving certification ensures continued business opportunities with the DoD.
As CMMC becomes a standard requirement, certified contractors will have an advantage over non-compliant competitors when bidding on contracts.
CMMC certification demonstrates your commitment to cybersecurity, helping you establish trust with the DoD, customers, and business partners who rely on secure information handling.
Failure to meet CMMC requirements can result in financial penalties, contract termination, and reputational damage that could affect your long-term business prospects.
As you can see below, there are several factors that affect how much CMMC certification costs.
Several factors impact the cost of CMMC certification, including your required level, company size, cybersecurity posture, consulting fees, and necessary technology or infrastructure upgrades. Let’s take a closer look.
The CMMC framework consists of three levels, each with increasingly strict cybersecurity requirements.
Higher levels, such as Level 3, require more advanced security controls and a government-led assessment, significantly increasing costs.
Organizations seeking Level 1 certification will have lower expenses since it only requires basic security practices and a self-assessment.
The size and complexity of your organization play a major role in CMMC certification costs. Factors such as the number of employees, locations, IT systems, and the volume of CUI impact both the scope of the assessment and the cost of remediation efforts.
Larger organizations with complex IT environments and extensive CUI data flows typically face higher certification expenses.
Your existing cybersecurity maturity directly affects certification costs. If your organization already follows best practices and has a strong security foundation, you may require fewer upgrades and minimal remediation.
However, if your cybersecurity measures are underdeveloped, you may need significant investments in security controls, documentation, and compliance programs before meeting CMMC standards.
Many organizations choose to work with CMMC consultants to simplify the certification process. Costs can include:
Additionally, third-party assessment organizations (C3PAOs) charge fees for conducting official CMMC audits, which vary based on your certification level and organizational complexity.
Achieving CMMC compliance often requires upgrading security tools and IT infrastructure. Potential expenses include:
These investments not only ensure compliance but also strengthen your organization’s overall security against cyber threats.
So, how much does CMMC cost?
Understanding CMMC certification costs is crucial for planning your compliance strategy. Expenses depend on several factors, including your company's size, existing cybersecurity posture, and required certification level. Below are estimated costs for each CMMC level, along with key cost drivers to consider. Keep in mind these figures represent averages updated up to April 2025.
CMMC Level 1 is the most affordable level, focusing on basic cyber hygiene to protect Federal Contract Information. Organizations at this level must implement 17 practices from FAR 52.204-21, covering essential security measures such as access control, user authentication, and antivirus protection.
Since Level 1 only requires a self-assessment, organizations can avoid costly third-party audits and handle compliance internally, reducing expenses. However, organizations with limited IT resources may still require external consulting services to meet basic security requirements.
Organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information must meet CMMC Level 2 requirements, implementing 110 security controls from NIST SP 800-171. This level requires more advanced cybersecurity measures, making it significantly more expensive than Level 1.
Assessment costs depend on whether self-assessment or third-party certification is required:
Organizations that fail to meet CMMC Level 2 requirements on their initial assessment may incur additional costs for remediation and reassessment.
CMMC Level 3 applies to organizations working on DoD’s highest-priority programs, requiring NIST SP 800-172 controls to combat Advanced Persistent Threats (APTs). This level builds on Level 2 with additional security enhancements and a government-led assessment conducted by DIBCAC.
Organizations must also comply with DFARS 252.204-7012, requiring incident reporting and security response planning, which adds to the overall cost.
CMMC compliance doesn’t end with certification. Organizations must continuously monitor, update, and improve security measures to maintain compliance. Annual maintenance costs include:
Failure to maintain compliance can result in loss of certification, requiring reassessment costs and potential business disruptions.
Managing the costs associated with CMMC certification requires strategic planning and proactive security measures. By identifying gaps early, prioritizing cost-effective solutions, and leveraging external resources when necessary, your organization can streamline compliance efforts without overspending.
A structured gap assessment is the first step in controlling CMMC certification costs. By identifying security weaknesses before an audit, you can avoid expensive last-minute remediation.
Prioritizing fixes based on risk and compliance impact ensures that your organization invests in critical security measures first, rather than wasting resources on unnecessary improvements.
Simple security measures can significantly improve cybersecurity posture without requiring costly infrastructure upgrades. Key cost-effective practices include:
These preventative measures reduce cybersecurity risks and minimize the likelihood of costly breaches that could delay certification.
Well-organized documentation streamlines the certification process, saving time and reducing consultant and auditor fees. Keeping policies, security control records, and audit logs up to date prevents redundant work, making it easier to demonstrate compliance during assessments.
Key documents to maintain include:
Having comprehensive documentation also makes future CMMC audits and renewals more efficient, further reducing long-term costs.
Partnering with a CMMC-compliant managed service provider (MSP) can significantly cut compliance costs by outsourcing security monitoring, compliance controls, and policy enforcement.
Benefits of using an MSP include:
This approach reduces overhead expenses while ensuring your organization remains CMMC-compliant year-round.
CMMC compliance is an ongoing investment, not a one-time expense. To avoid financial strain, your organization should plan for recurring costs, such as:
By factoring in these ongoing costs upfront, your organization can maintain long-term compliance without unexpected financial burdens.
BEMO simplifies the CMMC certification process for small and medium businesses by managing every step, from scoping and gap analysis to remediation and audit preparation.
With BEMO’s expert team handling critical tasks such as audits, penetration testing, and policy documentation, your business ensures all CMMC requirements are met efficiently.
Their automated platform continuously monitors compliance controls, alerts you to non-conformities, and provides ongoing support to maintain compliance year-round.
By outsourcing to BEMO, companies save time, reduce overhead, and ensure their cybersecurity measures are always aligned with CMMC requirements, enabling them to secure and retain government contracts.
Understanding the costs of CMMC certification is crucial for any organization seeking DoD contracts. By factoring in the required level, company size, and cybersecurity posture, you can estimate your expenses more accurately.
While the cost of certification can vary significantly depending on the level and complexity, strategic planning and proactive steps like conducting gap assessments, maintaining documentation, and utilizing managed services can help control costs.
Partnering with experts like BEMO can streamline the process, reduce overhead, and ensure compliance.
With BEMO's comprehensive services, including automated compliance tracking and expert remediation support, your organization can navigate the CMMC certification process efficiently and cost-effectively. Don't let costs become a barrier to compliance—get started with BEMO today!
CMMC certification costs are influenced by the level of certification, company size, existing cybersecurity practices, and the need for third-party assessments.
You can lower costs by conducting gap assessments early, implementing low-cost security measures like MFA, maintaining thorough documentation, and using a managed service provider.
CMMC certification is valid for three years, after which your organization must undergo reassessment to maintain compliance.
Level 3 costs include advanced security measures, expert consulting, a government-led assessment, and ongoing monitoring for compliance.
Yes, BEMO simplifies the CMMC certification process by handling scoping, gap analysis, remediation, and audit preparation, saving your business time and money.