Approved Training Provider*
(*Via Shadowscape)
Provisional Instructor
Lead CMMC Certified Assessor
CMMC Certified Assessor
CMMC Certified Professional
Accelerating Success Across the CMMC Ecosystem
Our mission is to accelerate CMMC success across the ecosystem by preparing organizations for assessment, performing Level 2 assessments with C3PAO partners, expanding C3PAOs' assessment capacity with our experienced CCAs, and delivering high-quality CCP and CCA training.
Accelerate Assessment Readiness
Get assessment-ready faster and more efficiently with guidance from experienced CCAs who bring lessons learned from dozens of CMMC Level 2 assessments. Our readiness and advisory services provide end-to-end support across the CMMC lifecycle — helping you confidently prepare for Level 1 and Level 2 assessments.
Services
•CMMC readiness advisory and planning
•Level 1 self-assessment support
•Mock assessments with consulting
•Level 2 readiness preparation and remediation guidance
Accelerate Level 2 Assessment
Many C3PAOs are booked six months out for a CMMC Level 2 assessment. Don’t wait. We’ve partnered with C3PAOs to provide our experienced CCAs, so together we can meet your timeline. Add a discounted, penalty-free mock assessment to validate readiness and increase your chances of passing.
Services
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Assistance identifying and selecting qualified C3PAOs
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Support coordinating assessment scope, pricing, and terms
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Mock assessments to confirm readiness
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CMMC Level 2 assessments delivered with trusted C3PAO partners
Accelerate & Scale Assessment Capacity
Scale your C3PAO assessment operations without sacrificing quality by leveraging experienced CCAs who integrate seamlessly into your assessment teams. Our services help you increase mock and Level 2 assessment capacity while maintaining consistency, independence, and alignment with CMMC assessment requirements.
Services
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Access to a bench of 20+ experienced CMMC Certified Assessors (CCAs)
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Support for mock assessments and official CMMC Level 2 assessments
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Flexible assessor augmentation to increase assessment throughput
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Consistent, high-quality assessment execution aligned to CMMC requirements
Accelerate Your CMMC Career
Advance your career, earning potential, and compliance expertise through assessor-led CCP and CCA training rooted in real CMMC assessment experience. Our programs help cybersecurity professionals build credentials, practical skills, and confidence to become effective CMMC assessors and trusted compliance leaders.
Services
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CCP and CCA training aligned to the CMMC Final Rule
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Instruction led by active CMMC Certified Assessors
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Real-world assessment scenarios and hands-on application
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Career-focused preparation for assessors, RPOs, and security professionals
Accelerate your CMMC Journey Now!
Every organization’s compliance journey is different. We meet you where you are, providing clear guidance and dependable support from preparation through certification.
1st Defense CMMC can help - Let's Talk!
WHY CHOOSE US?
Comprehensive CMMC solutions tailored to your needs
Mission-Driven Approach
We take a mission-first approach to CMMC, focused on protecting organizations in the DIB from adversaries while helping them meet CMMC requirements. Our guidance is grounded in real assessment experience and a clear understanding of NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC rules and regulations, ensuring compliance efforts are purposeful, effective, and sustainable.
Structured Preparation
CMMC doesn’t have to be confusing. We provide clear, structured preparation with well-defined steps that guide organizations from readiness through assessment. By applying proven lessons learned from multiple CMMC Level 2 assessments, we help reduce uncertainty, surface issues early, and eliminate surprises during the assessment.
Certified Assessors
Anyone can claim expertise—but only certified assessors can prove it. Our services are led by experienced CMMC Certified Assessors (CCAs) who bring real-world assessment insight to readiness, training, and assessments. This assessor-led perspective ensures accuracy, fairness, and alignment with CMMC requirements at every stage.
Ongoing Support
CMMC certification is not the finish line, it’s the beginning. We support organizations beyond the Level 2 assessment by helping cybersecurity practices mature over time through continued guidance and readiness support, ensuring sustained CMMC compliance as your business evolves through annual self-assessments in Years 2 and 3 and re-certification at Level 2 in Year 4.
Get in Touch
The 1st Defense CMMC leadership team brings decades of executive and technical experience from organizations including IBM, Microsoft, State Farm, Gartner, root9B, and Shadowscape, along with hands-on leadership as Lead CCAs on dozens of CMMC Level 2 assessments and as instructors delivering CCP and CCA training. Together, we accelerate the CMMC ecosystem by providing end-to-end CMMC training, readiness, and assessment services that help OSCs achieve certification, professionals advance their careers, and C3PAOs scale the number of assessments.
