Level 1: Foundational
For contractors handling only basic contract information. Requires annual self-assessment against 17 safeguarding practices.
Frameworks
CMMC Framework
Our cybersecurity experts guide defense contractors through Level 2 certification in 4-5 months – so you stay eligible to compete for federal defense work.
What Is the CMMC Framework?
Starting in 2025, you can’t bid on DoD contracts without CMMC certification. The Department of Defense requires this cybersecurity standard to verify that contractors can protect sensitive government information. Without CMMC, you lose your ability to compete for federal defense business.
CMMC protects two types of data: Federal Contract Information (basic contract data) and Controlled Unclassified Information (technical specs, operational data, etc.). Your required certification level depends on what information you handle.
CMMC has three levels:
What TrustedCISO Can Do for CMMC Certification
We guide defense contractors from scoping through passing your third-party assessment. As a veteran-owned business, we understand both the technical requirements and the DoD contracting environment you work in.
Typical timeline:
4-5 months for Level 2 certification
What's included:
- Scope & gap assessment
Determine your CMMC level, identify data boundaries, and assess current compliance against required security controls - Implementation & documentation
Deploy NIST 800-171 controls and create your System Security Plan with network diagrams and data flow maps - SPRS score optimization
Improve your compliance score in the DoD’s Supplier Performance Risk System - Assessment preparation
Coordinate with approved assessors and prepare evidence documentation they need to verify compliance - C3PAO certification support
Manage the third-party assessment process through completion - Ongoing compliance maintenance
Annual affirmations and continuous monitoring to maintain certification between three-year assessments
We work with your existing systems and infrastructure – no forced technology replacements that inflate costs unnecessarily.
Our Packages
Versatile Packages That Support Your Goals
Clear pricing. No surprises. Pick the package that matches your stage or contact us for a consultation.
Launch
Accelerate Your First Compliance Journey
TrustedCISO gets you audit-ready for a single framework, without the guesswork, rework, or delays.
Best For
- High-growth companies that are ready to move fast.
Supported Frameworks
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GovRAMP, or HIPAA
What's Included
- Ongoing compliance for one framework
- US-based compliance team
- Expert-led gap assessment & risk analysis
- Customized policy creation
- GRC platform support & task management (Vanta, Drata, etc.)
- Audit preparation and coordination
- Trust Center configuration and support
- Sales and infosec support
- Accelerated audit readiness
Optional Add-ons
- Additional framework support
- Internal audit
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability scanning
Timeline
3–12 months
Pricing
Starts at $5,000/month
Sustain
Stay Audit-Ready. Year-Round
TrustedCISO handles ongoing compliance, security questionnaires, and continuous program improvement, so you stay audit-ready.
Best For
- Companies that have completed LAUNCH or are already compliant.
Supported Frameworks
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GovRAMP, or HIPAA
What's Included
- 10 hours of expert support monthly
- Ongoing compliance for one framework
- US-based compliance team
- GRC platform support & task management (Vanta, Drata, etc.)
- Audit preparation and coordination
- Trust Center maintenance
- Security questionnaire response
- Advanced CNAPP+ tool for cloud*
- Vulnerability scanning for cloud
Optional Add-ons
- Additional framework support
- Internal audit
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability scanning
- Backup solution
- Endpoint Detection &
- Response (EDR)
- SIEM 24×7 SOC
- DNS whitelisting/blacklisting
Timeline
Annual
Pricing
Starts at $3,000/month
* One cloud account license included
Learn More About SustainAscend
Compliance + Cybersecurity
Whether you need a full vCISO or fractional expertise, ASCEND scales to match your growth and complexity.
Best For
- Organizations investing in strategic security leadership, multi-framework compliance, and technical program maturity.
Supported Frameworks
- SOC 2, ISO 27001, CMMC, FedRAMP, GovRAMP, or HIPAA
What's Included
- 20 hours/month of hands-on vCISO
- Multi-framework compliance management
- US-based compliance team
- CISO advisory or full program leadership
- Secure-by-design architecture consulting
- Cloud and infrastructure security assessments
- Vendor risk management program
- Incident response planning & testing
- Security questionnaire and exec reporting support
- Roadmap to cyber resilience
- Advanced CNAPP+ tool for cloud*
- Vulnerability scanning for cloud
Optional Add-ons
- Additional framework support
- Internal audit
- Penetration testing
- Vulnerability scanning
- Backup solution
- Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR)
- SIEM 24×7 SOC
- DNS whitelisting/blacklisting
- Zero Trust
Advanced vendor management tool
Timeline
Multi-year
Pricing
Starts at $4,500/month*
* Flexes based on services
Learn More About AscendWhy Choose TrustedCISO for ISO 27001 Certification
Veteran-Owned, Defense-Focused
We’re VOSB certified with decades of military and defense experience. We understand DoD requirements from the inside and know what’s at stake when your federal contracts depend on certification.
100% First-Attempt Pass Rate
Every defense contractor we’ve guided through CMMC and NIST 800-171 has passed their assessment on the first try. We know what third-party assessors look for and prepare you accordingly.
Transparent Pricing for Defense SMBs
Small and mid-sized defense contractors need compliance without enterprise budgets. Our rate is $175/hour versus $300-500 that competitors charge. Level 2 certification typically takes 80-120 hours, depending on your current security posture.
Maintains Your Competitive Edge
Losing CMMC certification means losing your ability to bid on DoD contracts. Our subscription packages provide ongoing support to maintain certification between assessments – keeping you eligible to compete year-round.
Resources
Industry Insight from the Experts
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all defense contractors need CMMC?
Yes, if you’re anywhere in the DoD supply chain. Prime contractors, subcontractors, and vendors all need CMMC certification matching the data they handle. Without it, you can’t bid on or maintain DoD contracts.
How do I know which CMMC level I need?
It depends on your data. If you only handle basic contract information, you need Level 1. If you process CUI like technical specs or operational data, you need Level 2. Level 3 is only for the most sensitive national security programs. Most contractors need Level 2.
What's the difference between self-assessment and third-party assessment?
Level 1 allows annual self-assessment where you attest compliance. Level 2 requires third-party assessment by an approved organization every three years, plus annual affirmation of continuous compliance. You must prove compliance to an independent assessor.
How much does CMMC certification cost?
Implementation costs vary by company size and current security posture. Third-party assessment fees typically range from $15,000-$30,000. The real question is what non-compliance costs – losing your ability to compete for DoD contracts.
What happens if we don't get CMMC certified?
You’ll be unable to bid on new DoD contracts and may lose existing contracts when options are exercised. The DoD won’t award contracts to non-compliant contractors, and prime contractors must ensure their entire subcontractor network is certified.
How long does CMMC certification last?
Level 2 certification is valid for three years. You must submit annual affirmations between assessments. If your security environment changes significantly, you may need reassessment before the three-year mark.
Can we pass CMMC with our current systems?
Maybe. We start with a gap assessment to determine where you stand. Many contractors have some controls in place but need to formalize documentation and implement missing requirements. We help close those gaps efficiently.