If your organization works with the Department of Defense (DoD) and relies on a Managed Service Provider (MSP), it’s time to ask a crucial question—is your MSP ready for your CMMC journey?
As an MSP ourselves, we have already taken this journey and want to help SMBs in their climb to compliance. Ensuring compliance might sound like juggling cats while riding a unicycle on a tightrope, but it’s essential for your business continuity, and when the 48 CFR rule drops, it will also determine if you get contracts or not. Let’s break down how you can determine if your MSP is ready to assist you on your CMMC Level 2 journey.
Why CMMC Level 2 Matters for MSPs
For MSPs that service the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), CMMC Level 2 compliance is not just a nice-to-have—it’s a business necessity. The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is designed to protect sensitive unclassified information shared between the DoD and its contractors.
If an MSP is working with an organization that is getting CMMC Level 2 assessed, that MSP will be in the assessment scope of that organization’s assessment. This includes verifying that every piece of your information they handle is protected according to stringent security standards(NIST 800-171 A r3). It’s critical to know if their assets are compliant BEFORE your assessment.
Why You Need a CMMC-Compliant MSP
Choosing an MSP that is CMMC compliant isn’t just a recommendation—it’s required. An MSP that is handling your assets WILL be assessed with your organization’s assessment. This is especially important when they handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or security protection assets regularly. The 32 CFR final rule dropped Oct. 2024 and it shared that ESPs, which MSPs are classified as, will be under the scope of every one of their client’s assessments as a security protection asset. That means they have to have their s#*t together, or else, YOU fail your assessment.
If your current MSP isn’t certified and hasn’t started their CMMC Level 2 compliance process, you may need to find another provider. The certification process can take about 8-12 months, so if they haven’t begun yet, it will jeopardize your ability to be awarded contracts.
Questions to Ask Your MSP to Evaluate Their CMMC Readiness
Before signing on the dotted line, there are key questions you should ask your MSP to ensure they’re gearing up for CMMC Level 2:
- Will my MSP achieve the appropriate CMMC level that I anticipate needing?
- What is my MSP’s timeline for certification?
- Does my MSP have a Shared Responsibilities Matrix (SRM)?
- What cloud providers does my MSP use, and are they FedRAMP compliant?
- Can the MSP support my organization during a Joint Surveillance Vulnerability Assessment (JSVA) audit or a CMMC assessment?
For more in-depth questions, check out our CMMC podcast on YouTube.
Axiom–The Certified MSP You Can Trust
If you find yourself at a crossroads with an unprepared MSP, Axiom offers you a hand up on your CMMC climb. Axiom has been fully audited by a C3PAO and received a perfect 110 score. We have systems and processes in place to help our clients get CMMC Level 2 compliant, pass their assessment, and maintain their environment as they continue their work.
Stay informed and explore more resources, like our Axiom podcast on YouTube, to ensure you’re always a step ahead. Reach out to our team today for tailored advice and support on achieving CMMC Level 2 compliance.