Myth vs. Reality: Why CMMC Assessments Aren’t Always $100K (and How Mission Multiplier Helps You Do It Cheaper)

Myth vs. Reality: Why CMMC Assessments Aren’t Always $100K (and How Mission Multiplier Helps You Do It Cheaper)

For small and mid-sized businesses operating within the defense industrial base, the new Department of War (DoW) mandate requiring CMMC compliance can feel daunting. Many smaller organizations are unsure where to begin when faced with the extensive requirements, and the cost of engaging an RPO to guide them through the preparation and the audit process may seem like too heavy of a financial burden.

The good news? It’s a widespread misconception that achieving CMMC compliance will cost upwards of $100,000. Mission Multiplier – a full spectrum IT, cybersecurity, and compliance firm – is proof that achieving compliance is not only doable, but affordable. Guided by a mission to help small businesses in the defense ecosystem stay in business, Mission Multiplier has perfected a process that delivers precisely what’s necessary for their clients to achieve compliance—no more, no less. And they can do it in a matter of weeks without the six-figure price tag.

Myth vs. Reality: Why CMMC Isn’t Automatically Expensive

The DoD’s new mandate requiring CMMC compliance has created significant fear and uncertainty for smaller organizations in the defense supply chain. Small businesses are evaluating their options anxiously—all the while weighing significant costs with the possibility of losing contracts or even the risk of shutting down. Unfortunately, plenty of service providers that assist businesses with CMMC assessments are taking advantage of their fear by charging more and pushing unnecessary services. For smaller organizations, the key to a successful compliance strategy is understanding what you actually need vs. what is unnecessary.

Mission Multiplier has leveraged their expertise in CMMC assessments to perfect a no-frills but highly effective formula that is guaranteed to help small businesses achieve compliance. Stephen Putnam, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) of Mission Multiplier, shares extensive insights on the myths and realities of CMMC assessments and how they have shaped Mission Multiplier’s approach.

Myth #1: “You have to migrate your whole enterprise to be CMMC compliant.”

Reality: According to Putnam, migrating the whole enterprise is an unnecessary scope that takes up time and resources. You can build a Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) enclave to handle sensitive data without the need to touch the whole enterprise. The virtual enclave is separate and you only use the virtual machines you need.

Myth #2: “You need to operate in a GCC High environment.”

Reality: Most small businesses don’t need to operate in a GCC High environment–a higher secure environment for government contractors that costs significantly more. Putnam notes that service providers may try to push this option on you because they make money off the “astronomical” licensing fee.

Myth #3: “CMMC takes six months or more.”

Reality: With a right sized scope and a simpler but proven process, achieving compliance can only take 4-6 weeks in total including C3PAO certification.

The Mission Multiplier Difference

Mission Multiplier is on a mission to help small businesses achieve compliance without unrealistic costs. As a small business, Mission Multiplier developed their proven and repeatable process for their own organization. Through strategies, tools, and partnerships that streamline the process, Mission Multiplier guarantees clients will achieve CMMC compliance if they follow their guidance.

The Right-Sized Approach

A significant driver of cost for CMMC assessments is the unnecessary scope. Mission Multiplier eliminates the need to migrate the whole enterprise by creating an isolated CUI enclave that protects sensitive data. Mission Multiplier compares their approach to a typical service provider by highlighting the bloat:

“When I send out what I call a scoping document, it talks about how many CUI contracts they have, how many they intend to have, and how many users are going to use CUI,” Putnam said. “If it’s only going to be the CEO and the business development guy using CUI, then why did you migrate 60 machines? Because they were convinced that it would be easier to just migrate everyone. That is the bloat.”

Putnam also explains that migrating the whole enterprise can hamper commercial operations and result in more costly workarounds later on. Mission Multiplier starts every project with the right questions to determine the right sized scope that will achieve compliance without interfering with day-to-day operations.

Efficient Tools & Repeatable Processes

Mission Multiplier’s process is both streamlined and repeatable for many reasons. The CUI enclave is built the same way for every client with the same policies, procedures, and controls for protecting sensitive data. Mission Multiplier has also established exclusive partnerships with companies like IntelliGRC which allows them to streamline the audit process.

“Auditors used to have to download hundreds and hundreds of documents and then configure it into EMASS format–which takes weeks,” Putnam says. “Now they can do the entire assessment in the tool and then push a button to export into the EMASS format, which is how auditors have to report it.”

Transparent Cost Structure

Another significant driver of cost for CMMC assessment is the variable consulting hours that service providers may add on. Mission Multiplier’s offers a transparent cost structure that drastically reduces unexpected costs. Clients should expect a fixed fee for the CUI enclave and a commitment of 7 hours to talk to Mission Multiplier’s consultant and the auditor. When Mission Multiplier starts the process, they need very little time with the customer—which frees them up to focus on their business.

“With a lot of the other consultants, it’s constant meetings because they try to take the client’s commercial processes and integrate them into the enclave,” Putnam says. “I tell my customers that they don’t need to worry about bringing their commercial processes into the mix. We provide a clear, streamlined path forward, so they know exactly what to expect. Instead of forcing their current workflows to fit, we outline the process that will work best within the enclave and guide them through it from the start.”

Putnam said clients are often initially skeptical about the lack of involvement needed—until they pass the assessment.

Client Perspective: Holly Smith, President of H2 Performance Consulting Corp

For Holly Smith, President of H2 Performance Consulting Corp, finding a consultant to help with CMMC compliance was overwhelming at first—the process would be extremely complex and take months to complete. She received quotes from other consultants in the six figures for the assessment and similar costs for an annual maintenance fee. “For a small business of less than 50 people, it’s untenable,” Smith explains. “You can’t do it.”

Mission Multiplier was a stunning discovery. They would pinpoint what was actually necessary to achieve compliance for her small organization and complete the process at a fraction of the cost. Smith was relieved to experience a much simpler step-by-step process with Mission Multiplier—and one that would be surprisingly hands off for her.

“Stephen took the bull by the horns. Mission Multiplier has a process down that is very efficient and he led the whole initiative. He’s made it extremely easy. Having prepared for three different ISO certifications, it was never as easy as what Mission Multiplier has done for us with CMMC,” Smith explains.

Her advice for small businesses who need a CMMC assessment? Look into Mission Multiplier.

“I could not believe what Mission Multiplier was doing for the small business community. It’s amazing. More people need to know about this.”

What You Actually Pay for in a CMMC Assessment and How Mission Multiplier Helps You Do It Cheaper Without Cutting Corners

Small and mid-sized businesses in the defense industry supply chain are often grappling with exorbitant prices for CMMC assessments. From scope to third party assessments, consulting hours and other needs, many companies are inviting unnecessary complexity.

Mission Multiplier helps customers reduce scope, leverage more efficient tools and templates, and simplify costs. Holly Smith believes Mission Multiplier is uniquely positioned to empathize with small business realities, and they have built a reputation on that expertise: “They understand what we’re feeling as a small business because they are a small business. They’re speaking my language.”

Get in touch with Mission Multiplier

Achieving CMMC compliance doesn’t have to cost six figures. If you are a small or mid-sized business, contact Mission Multiplier at (256) 384-3356 or our contact form, for a scoping call to learn more about their unique, cost-effective approach. Don’t delay your compliance process any further due to fear and uncertainty about the cost. Passing the CMMC audit can be just a few weeks away.