Introduction
CMMC Level 2 is no longer a future concern for defense contractors. It’s already here, and it’s live. Assessments are already taking place. Prime contractors are flowing down requirements to their subcontractors. Across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) expectations are tightening as we prepare for the finalization and implementation of 48 CFR. For Organizations Seeking Certification (OSCs) looking to get CMMC certified, the path can feel overwhelming. There are key milestones and responsibilities that are often misunderstood—or missed entirely.
GCC High vs. Hybrid: What’s the Best Fit to Get CMMC Certified?
Given the urgency to prepare, many OSCs pursuing CMMC Level 2 compliance are leveraging Microsoft’s Azure GCC High to reduce their assessment scope to strictly the part of their business that manages Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Others are partnering with consultants, managed services providers (MSPs), and/or managed security service providers (MSSPs) to expedite their CMMC Cloud strategy.
For some OSCs, the best-fit approach isn’t a full migration to Azure GCC High. It’s a hybrid environment that isolates CUI into a secure, compliant enclave while also isolating a segment of their CUI scope on-prem. You can reduce licensing and consumption costs, narrow the CMMC assessment scope, and minimize your compliance maintenance footprint with this model. This can be used to address operational technology or resource-intensive platforms that cannot be moved to the cloud. However, hybrid environments still require precise scoping, careful data flow mapping, and properly configured boundaries to pass muster during an assessment. Redspin helps OSCs determine if a hybrid model is right for them and ensures the on-premise segmentation and controls are implemented in a way that stands up to scrutiny, so you can get CMMC certified with confidence.
Why the Cheapest Option Isn’t Always the Best
Too often, many OCSs chase the cheapest provider or opt for a patchwork of 1099 consultants or fragmented teams that don’t have a comprehensive understanding of compliance obligations. A piecemeal approach to compliance will ultimately result in hidden fees, confusion over cloud tenant ownership, and gaps in cloud maturity.
That’s because most DIB organizations have specific needs that standard “cookie-cutter” deployments can’t fill. We have seen OSCs completing such initial deployments only to be hit with extensive and expensive changes because inadequate upfront discovery and scoping left a mismatch between the standard service and what was actually needed. We’ve also heard from clients that, just days after implementation, they’re hit with unanticipated, unexpectedly high quotes for ongoing cloud management because they didn’t know what questions to ask upfront, creating delays in their ability to get CMMC certified on schedule.
The Value of Keeping it All “Under One Roof”
Redspin’s comprehensive approach is different. Combining experienced CMMC 3rd-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) insight, CMMC readiness expertise, tailored managed services and assessment scheduling support, we eliminate silos (and unwelcome surprises) that can occur when using a mix of different service providers or cookie-cutter solutions.
Our in-house team of Lead CCAs, CCAs, CCPs, and experienced consultants, cloud architects, and compliance pros makes Redspin the trusted partner for “all things CMMC,” from assessment readiness to long-term compliance. This centralized expertise means you have one point of accountability throughout your CMMC Level 2 journey, not disconnected interactions between MSPs, Registered Provider Organizations (RPOs), and assessors, all helping you get CMMC certified faster, and with fewer surprises.
The C3PAO CMMC Level 2 View: A Better Starting Point
As one of the first authorized C3PAOs, Redspin’s unique vantage point enables us to design systems that will pass CMMC assessments, not just get deployed.
Each OSC’s environment is unique. Redspin takes the time needed to truly understand not only how you manage, create, and transmit Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), but also your data flows, workflows, and overall business activities involving CUI. Working backwards from there, rather than forwards from a software stack, we deliver assurance that the sensitive data you process or hold is protected.
Redspin doesn’t just get you “ready” for your assessment; we help you schedule your assessment and then stay on schedule. If you aren’t yet comfortable or ready for a Level 2 assessment, we’ll work with you to conduct a mock assessment and help you prepare to get CMMC certified.
More Than A Cloud Service: A Commitment to Compliance
Redspin continues supporting your CMMC journey even after certification. We guide you through readiness, ensuring you remain compliant over time as your business evolves and changes. That is crucial for bidding on new contracts or retaining existing ones. In fact, to shore up their own compliance, we already see some Primes shifting subcontracted work away from uncertified partners. It’s important to get in the game and stay in the game.
Common CMMC Strategy Questions
Q: Do I have to move everything to GCC High to get CMMC certified?
A: Not always. While many OSCs choose GCC High to narrow assessment scope, an on-prem or hybrid cloud setup can also work, as long as it’s properly scoped and secured. Redspin helps determine which setup is best for your environment and business goals.
Q: How can I tell if my cloud setup meets CMMC requirements?
A: It’s not just about having the right tools, it’s about configuring them correctly and documenting everything. As a C3PAO, Redspin understands exactly what auditors look for and helps build environments that meet the mark.
Q: After I get my CMMC certification, do I still need to do anything?
A: Yes, compliance doesn’t end with certification. You’ll need to maintain your security posture over time. Redspin supports clients long after their assessment to make sure they stay compliant as their business grows.
Q: Can Redspin help with both my CMMC preparation and certification?
A: We can help with one or the other, not both. If Redspin is your C3PAO, we can’t also help you prepare due to conflict of interest rules. But we do have trusted partners who can support you on the readiness side.
Read through more answers to FAQs here.
Ready to Get CMMC Certified?
If you’re unsure where to start your path to CMMC compliance, begin with a provider that sees the whole picture. Redspin is the trusted partner for ‘all things CMMC’ for a reason. Our deeply experienced in-house team is backed by C3PAO-level insight, enabling us to design compliant environments, not just implement licenses or lifts-and-shifts. We’ve already helped dozens of OSCs achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance with confidence.
Just please remember that if you choose us as your C3PAO, conflict of interest rules (and our own ethics) prevent us from helping you with preparation and managed services.
For more information, review our CMMC Gap Assessment service and our Top 5 Checklist for CMMC Compliance Implementation.
Want to talk? Contact us to book a call.
Top 10 Ways Redspin Goes Beyond
- In-house assessors and readiness pros—no 1099 handoffs
- Real mock assessments, based on C3PAO-level review
- CUI inventory and boundary support from Day 1
- Tailored cloud implementation, not cookie-cutter
- Help scheduling and committing to certification timelines
- Design business flows, not just IT systems
- Maintain compliance―not just pass once
- Transparent, predictable pricing
- Deep understanding of GCC High and hybrid models
- Full lifecycle support (pre-cert, cert, post-cert)
Book a meeting to get CMMC certified with Redspin: