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How Your IT Vendor Can Make (Or Break) Your Assessment: Don’t Let Your IT Provider Be the Reason You Fail CMMC

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When it comes to CMMC 2.0 compliance, your MSP is either your greatest asset or your biggest liability. As the final rule becomes part of 48 CFR, your ability to pass a third-party CMMC assessment will directly impact your eligibility for DoD contracts. But here’s the catch: even if you are committed to compliance, an unqualified or unprepared managed service provider (MSP) can completely derail your progress.


You’ve Got the Contracts, But Does Your MSP Have the Compliance Game?


From missing documentation to improper configurations, the wrong IT partner could cost you contracts, credibility, and cash.


What the Assessor Will Be Looking For (And What Your IT Vendor Must Provide)


CMMC assessments are not just about cybersecurity; they’re about proof. You need to show that your systems are secure, your policies are in place, and your practices are consistent. Your MSP should be actively supporting these core areas:


  • System Security Plans (SSPs): Does your MSP document all configurations and system boundaries, or are you left guessing?

  • Policies & Procedures: Can they help generate policies for access control, incident response, and encryption?

  • Audit-Ready Logs & Evidence: Are they maintaining the logs, reports, and artifacts that auditors will ask for?

  • User Training & Awareness: Does your provider help with regular security training and simulated phishing campaigns?

  • Incident Response & Reporting: Can your MSP demonstrate a formal, tested plan that meets CMMC requirements?


If the answer to any of the above is “no,” your compliance standing is at risk.


Real Talk: Red Flags That Your IT Provider  Isn’t CMMC-Ready

 

Here are five warning signs your provider may not be up to the task:


  • They’ve Never Heard of CMMC 2.0 or NIST 800-171

  • They Can’t Provide Documentation or Logs on Demand

  • They Use “One-Size-Fits-All” Security Settings

  • They Focus Only on Tools, Not Policy or People

  • They Say, “That’s Your Responsibility, Not Ours”


Passing your CMMC audit requires deep collaboration and shared accountability. If your MSP is dodging responsibility, they're not helping, you’re carrying the risk alone.


What You Should Expect from a CMMC-Capable MSP


A qualified MSP should be:


  • Proactive – Initiates risk reviews, gap analysis, and evidence collection

  • Transparent – Provides documentation, audit logs, and system visibility

  • Tailored – Designs controls specific to your scope and maturity level

  • CMMC-Literate – Speaks the language of NIST 800-171 and understands DFARS

  • Audit-Ready – Can back every configuration with evidence and documentation


This isn’t just about checking boxes. It’s about showing that your business is a trustworthy steward of DoD data, and your MSP is a key part of that picture.


How TMGC Helps Defense Contractors Pass with Confidence


We’re not just another IT vendor; we’re compliance partners for defense contractors navigating the complexities of CMMC and 48 CFR.


Here’s how TMGC makes the difference:


  • CMMC-Focused Support: We align all technical services to your CMMC level and provide detailed evidence for every control.

  • Documentation Built-In: From SSPs and POAMs to training logs and security reports, we generate and maintain your audit artifacts

  • Audit Simulations: We run mock assessments to ensure you, and your MSP (us!), can stand up to a real review.

  • Direct Support During Assessments: When your assessor asks for clarification, we’re right there with you to explain and prove your controls.


Final Thoughts: Prepare Now or Pay Later


The finalization of 48 CFR will be a line in the sand.


Contractors that cross it prepared will thrive. Those that don’t may find themselves sidelined from lucrative DoD work.


CMMC 2.0 isn’t just about compliance — it’s about securing your future in the defense industrial base.


Join Us Live: CMMC 2.0 & 48 CFR Readiness Webinar


Topic: What’s Changing and How to Stay EligibleDate: Tuesday, September 16, 2025


Time: 11:00–11:30 AM


Panelists:

  • Evan Neufeld, CMMC-RP, Edwards Performance Solutions

  • Tony DiDonato, CEO, The Millennium Group Computing



 
 
 

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