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The CMMC Guide · Resource Hub

Understand CMMC, and implement it in your company

A complete and current resource for defense contractors and their counsel: the rules, all 110 Level 2 controls, the assessment process, and a clear path from where you are today to a passing score.

Phase 1 is in effect. Phase 2 begins November 10, 2026.

Where the rollout stands

The phase-in, in full →
Phase 1
Nov 10, 2025
Level 1 and Level 2 self-assessment in applicable new contracts.
You are here
Phase 2
Nov 10, 2026
Third-party Level 2 certification for most contracts involving CUI.
Phase 3
Nov 10, 2027
Broader Level 2 certification, and Level 3 assessments where applicable.
Phase 4
Nov 10, 2028
Full implementation across all applicable solicitations and contracts.

CMMC Level 2 at a glance

3
Levels, set by the data you handle
110
Level 2 requirements
14
Control families
88
Score to earn a conditional pass
180
Days to close a plan of action
3 yr
Certification, with annual affirmation

Explore the Guide

Five parts, the controls, and companion pages
Part I

Foundations

What CMMC is, the three levels, the rules, the phase-in, and how a contract triggers a requirement.

Part II

Core Concepts

CUI and FCI, scope and asset categories, the SPRS score, the plan of action rules, and the SSP.

Part III

The 110 Controls

Every Level 2 requirement, by family, each opening to a full entry.

Part IV

The Assessment

The three phases, adequacy and sufficiency, scoring, and the closeout.

Part V

Reference & Glossary

The ecosystem of roles and organizations, and a working glossary of the terms.

In depth

Existing Contracts

What happens to work awarded before the Level 2 requirement existed.

In depth

Myths & Q&A

The misconceptions and questions that recur most in readiness conversations.

Ongoing

News & Updates

A running log of CMMC developments, linked back to what each affects.

The path to certification

How readiness actually proceeds

Implementation follows a consistent order. Each step below links to the part of the guide that treats it in full, so a company can work from where it is toward an assessment it can pass.

1

Scope your CUI

Find where CUI actually lives, sort the assets into their categories, and draw the boundary that will be assessed.

Core Concepts →
2

Write the SSP

Document the scope and state, requirement by requirement, how each control is met, by whom, and with what.

Core Concepts →
3

Remediate the gaps

Implement what the 110 requirements ask, closing the difference between the standard and the environment.

The 110 Controls →
4

Assemble the evidence

Gather the documents, configurations, and records an assessor will examine, interview against, and test.

The Assessment →
5

Get assessed

Complete a self-assessment where the contract permits one, or a C3PAO certification assessment where it requires it.

The Assessment →
6

Affirm and maintain

Affirm continuous compliance each year, keep the SSP current, and reassess on the three-year cycle.

Core Concepts →

The three levels

The level is set by the information a contract involves
Level 1

Foundational

Protects FCI
Requirements 15
Source FAR 52.240-93
Assessment Annual self
Level 2

Advanced

Protects CUI
Requirements 110
Source NIST 800-171 Rev 2
Assessment Self or C3PAO
Level 3

Expert

Protects Sensitive CUI
Requirements 134
Adds 24 from 800-172
Assessment Government

News and key dates

All news and updates →
Key Dates
Dec 16, 2024
The CMMC Program rule (32 CFR Part 170) takes effect
Nov 10, 2025
The acquisition rule takes effect; Phase 1 begins
Nov 10, 2026
Phase 2: third-party certification for most CUI work
Nov 10, 2027
Phase 3: broader Level 2, and Level 3 where applicable
Nov 10, 2028
Phase 4: full implementation

More resources

Deeper material from the practice
White PapersIn-depth analysis of the questions behind CMMC.
The CMMC DecisionThe book, now in its second edition.
Executive SeriesCMMC for the leaders who have to decide.
Controls LibraryPrintable reference cards for each control.
Consulting ServicesOnsite readiness, enablement, and implementation.
Start CMMCBegin a readiness engagement.

The CMMC Guide is a working reference for the version of CMMC that is now in force, written from onsite practice for the people who have to act on it. It favors accuracy and currency over persuasion, every page carries an edition and a last-reviewed date, and the guide is revised as the program changes. This is Edition 2026.1, last reviewed July 12, 2026.