CMMC Compliance Solutions: Software or Services?

The Three Categories of CMMC Compliance Solutions

Most CMMC compliance solutions fit into one of three categories.

Software Platforms

GRC or CMMC compliance software helps with control mapping to NIST 800‑171, policy and procedure management, evidence collection workflows, and gap tracking. Software improves organization. It does not automatically create compliant operations. Teams still need to interpret requirements, implement controls, and gather evidence that meets assessor expectations.

Services

CMMC consulting services include gap assessments, scoping, SSP and POA&M writing, control implementation support, mock assessments, and ongoing managed compliance. Services produce the artifacts and execution that auditors validate. A strong consultant does more than advise. They plan, build, and validate.

Hybrid Models

Hybrid is often the best fit for defense contractors and their service providers. A platform tracks controls and evidence. A partner builds and validates documentation. A managed evidence cadence keeps artifacts current. If your clients want speed and certainty, hybrid is the practical answer.

Match the Solution to the Contract and CMMC Phase

CMMC requirements are being added to DoD contracts through a phased implementation model. Phase 1 started on November 10, 2025 with self‑assessments for Levels 1 and 2 and annual affirmations.

What matters for solution selection:

• Target level: Level 1 vs Level 2 vs Level 3

• Assessment type: self‑assessment vs C3PAO certification assessment

• Scope: number of systems, enclaves, locations, and subcontractors

• Customer expectations: prime contractor flowdown requirements

For many MSP clients, the real work is scoping. A small, well‑defined CUI enclave can reduce cost and speed timelines. Readiness is the practical state of being prepared for a formal assessment.

DIY Tools vs Managed Services: What You Gain and Lose

DIY Tool First

You gain: A central place to track controls and tasks, templates and reporting, and some workflow automation.

You lose: Time. Teams still interpret requirements, write documentation, and gather evidence. Quality. Tools cannot fix unclear scope or weak procedures. Audit coaching. A tool does not prepare staff for assessor interviews.

Managed Service First

You gain: A complete evidence and documentation buildout, a structured project plan with owners and milestones, and internal audit testing to find gaps early.

You lose: Some internal control if teams are used to doing everything in‑house. Most teams recognize the time savings outweigh this tradeoff.

Hybrid

You gain: Speed plus visibility, a repeatable delivery model to reuse across clients, and evidence organized the way auditors expect.

For MSPs and MSSPs, hybrid is easier to productize. Bundle tooling with a clear service wrapper. Connect it to your own vendor compliance management program to strengthen credibility.

How MSPs and MSSPs Can Package CMMC Support

If you want to offer CMMC support without overextending your team, package it as a delivery playbook.

A common structure:

• Discovery and scoping: Identify where FCI and CUI live, define the boundary

• Gap assessment: Test against NIST 800‑171 objectives and document findings

• Remediation plan: Build POA&Ms with owners, milestones, and acceptance criteria

• Evidence library: Set up control mapping and evidence cadence

• Mock assessment: Run interviews and validate evidence before the formal assessment

• Sustainment: Quarterly internal audits and ongoing evidence collection

MSPs are vendors in their clients' ecosystems. Strong third‑party oversight strengthens your own credibility. Learn more about vendor compliance management for MSPs.

Buying Checklist: Questions to Ask Any Provider

Use these questions when evaluating CMMC compliance solutions:

1. Which CMMC levels do you support in practice, not just on a slide?

2. Do you help define scope and write the SSP, or only track tasks?

3. How do you map controls to NIST 800‑171A objectives for evidence?

4. What evidence format do you deliver for assessors?

5. Do you run mock assessments and coach staff?

6. How do you handle POA&M items and conditional status requirements?

7. Can the solution support multiple clients in a white‑label model?

8. What integrations exist for IAM, ticketing, SIEM, and vulnerability tools?

9. Who owns updates when the environment changes?

10. What does ongoing sustainment look like after the certificate?

If a vendor cannot answer clearly, you will feel it during the audit.

How Neutral Partners Helps Partners

Neutral Partners supports MSPs and MSSPs that want to deliver CMMC readiness without building a full compliance department.

We support partners with:

• White‑label readiness delivery and documentation builds

• Evidence libraries and control mapping that match assessor expectations

• Internal audits and mock assessments for client confidence

• Ongoing managed compliance so clients stay audit‑ready

Since 2017, we have kept a 100% audit pass rate across more than 700 successful audits. We structure evidence the way auditors expect, which cuts back‑and‑forth. The same consultants stay with you from assessment through certification. Explore our CMMC certification services or learn about managed compliance.

FAQs About CMMC Compliance Solutions

Do compliance tools replace consulting?

No. Tools help track and organize. Consulting and managed services build the actual controls, procedures, and evidence.

What is the best approach for MSPs serving multiple DoD suppliers?

A repeatable hybrid model: consistent scope process, standard documentation templates, and a shared evidence approach.

How do we handle clients that are not sure if they have CUI?

Start with data discovery and contract review. Many teams treat everything as CUI and overscope. Correct scoping saves time and money.

Where do we find qualified assessment organizations?

Use the Cyber AB marketplace to locate authorized C3PAOs and other ecosystem partners.

How do we keep clients compliant after certification?

Build an evidence cadence and run quarterly internal audits. The goal is continuous compliance, not a one‑time scramble. Internal audit services help maintain readiness between formal assessments.