C3 Command

C3 Command is a fully managed CMMC compliance program explicitly designed to achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance in the shortest amount of time possible. Architected to encompass your entire CMMC Level 2 compliance boundary, C3 Command combines experienced CMMC compliance experts with IT excellence and cybersecurity expertise to deliver a prescriptive, end-to-end solution that eliminates technical hurdles, resource constraints, and unexpected challenges. With C3 Command, C3 takes direct responsibility for meeting 80% of CMMC Level 2 assessment objectives, minimizing the effort for internal personnel and enabling defense contractors to achieve compliance faster and with greater confidence. 

The 80/20 shared responsibility model means C3 takes responsibility for achieving ~80% of the 320 CMMC Level 2 assessment objectives, while clients handle the remaining 20% (typically items like background checks and physical security). This is formalized through a Customer Responsibility Matrix that clearly defines who owns what. C3 Command dramatically reduces internal burden and accelerates compliance timelines by having C3 lead the compliance journey rather than just supporting it. 

C3 Command is a fully managed, prescriptive program. Rather than just managed IT services, managed security services, or bespoke compliance advisory services, C3 Command combines expertise in the four critical areas to CMMC success: CMMC-designed architecture and implementation, ongoing IT management, ongoing cybersecurity protection, and managed compliance services to take direct responsibility for achieving 80% of assessment objectives. Specific differences include: a proven CMMC Reference Architecture that’s pre-vetted for compliance, all necessary managed IT and security services to maintain ongoing compliance, faster timelines (less than half the time of custom solutions) due to its prescriptive, pre-vetted model, and structured accountability through the Customer Responsibility Matrix. C3 doesn’t just help you pass—they lead your compliance and take responsibility for the outcome. 

The CMMC Reference Architecture is C3’s proprietary, proven system architecture and configuration specifically designed to meet CMMC Level 2 requirements. It’s a pre-configured, tested architecture that has been vetted for CMMC compliance and refined based on real-world assessment experiences. This architecture eliminates guesswork and reduces risk by providing a proven compliant design rather than requiring each client to develop their own compliant architecture from scratch. The Reference Architecture is updated regularly and includes system boundaries, security controls, tool configurations, and network designs optimized for both compliance and business operations. 

While the amount of time it takes to achieve CMMC Level 2 compliance will vary for each individual client, C3 Command is designed to achieve CMMC readiness in less than half the time it takes for custom compliance approaches. The specific timeline depends on a number of factors, including whether you plan to migrate existing data, if you’re deploying an enclave, your internal resource commitments, and business specifications, but the structured, prescriptive nature of C3 Command combined with C3’s ownership of 80% of objectives significantly accelerates the process. The program plan, proven program structure, and included managed services eliminate the delays and risks that often plague custom solutions. 

C3 Command includes comprehensive Managed IT Services that keep your CMMC-compliant environment running smoothly. This includes management of your IT infrastructure aligned with CMMC requirements, ongoing maintenance to keep systems compliant and secure, configuration updates as needed, identification of improvement areas, and expert IT support that understands both your business needs and compliance obligations. These services ensure your environment doesn’t just achieve compliance but maintains it over time without impacting business operations. 

C3 Command provides robust Managed Security Services including 24/7 monitoring of your environment for threats, log management and analysis, vulnerability management and remediation, incident response preparedness and execution, security event correlation and investigation, and ongoing US-based security operations center (SOC) capabilities. These services fulfill critical CMMC security requirements while providing the constant vigilance needed to detect and respond to threats before they become breaches. 

C3 Command’s Managed Compliance Services provide expert guidance for navigating the CMMC certification process. Prior to your assessment, C3’s compliance advisory team will take you through a compliance curriculum designed to ensure that every assessment objective is thoroughly addressed, particularly the 20% of assessment objectives that remain client responsibility. In addition, the compliance team will work with the IT and cybersecurity teams to ensure ongoing compliance, including updating and managing documentation, policy and procedure development support and updates, and alignment mapping to specific CMMC assessment objectives. These services ensure you’re prepared to successfully pass your assessment with complete documentation and evidence. 

Yes, approximately 20% of CMMC Level 2 assessment objectives still require active client ownership—typically items that are inherently organizational rather than technical, such as employee background checks, physical security measures, personnel security policies, and certain administrative controls. However, C3 provides guidance and advice to help you understand and meet these remaining responsibilities. The Customer Responsibility Matrix clearly defines exactly what you need to do, eliminating confusion and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. 

The C3 Command Customer Responsibility Matrix is a comprehensive accountability framework that breaks down all 320 CMMC Level 2 assessment objectives using a RACI model. It explicitly defines which party (C3 or the client) is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, or Informed for each objective. This matrix eliminates miscommunication, provides complete transparency about who owns what, and gives clients confidence that all requirements are addressed. It’s a key differentiator that ensures nothing is left to chance in your compliance journey. 

C3 Command is built on the CMMC Reference Architecture, which provides a purpose-built compliant environment. By using a prescriptive architecture rather than a bespoke one, C3 eliminates risk to timelines, compliance achievement, and budget because the entire program—from architecture, configuration, processes, and change management—have been optimized for speed and compliance success. This approach eliminates the uncertainty of trying to retrofit existing systems and provides faster, more predictable outcomes.  

C3 Command can be used either as a separate enclave leaving your existing IT environment intact for business operations that do not handle FCI or CUI, or you can deploy C3’s CMMC architecture across your entire environment.  

CMMC compliance isn’t a one-time achievement—it requires ongoing maintenance and management. C3 Command includes continued managed IT, security, and compliance services to keep you remain compliant over time. This includes monitoring for configuration drift, managing security updates, responding to new threats, updating documentation as your environment evolves, and preparing for annual attestation and triennial assessments. C3’s ongoing services ensure you maintain compliance so you don’t face surprises during future assessments or in the event of a DoD audit. 

Once C3 Command clients have scheduled their assessment date, they will engage C3 in a separately scoped CMMC Ready™ Program that includes comprehensive assessment support, such as preparation of an evidence package organized around assessment expectations that includes the specific, recent evidence and documentation required to prove compliance. The CMMC Ready Program also includes a pre-assessment readiness review (mock assessment) to ensure preparedness for the assessment, coordination with your chosen C3PAO (CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organization), technical and compliance support during the assessment, and assistance responding to assessor questions and requests. C3’s experience successfully supporting numerous CMMC assessments means they know what assessors look for and how to present your compliance posture effectively. 

C3 Catalyst is an alternative program for organizations interested in the compliance assurance that C3 Command offers but who either do not require compliance advisory services (but need a fully managed CMMC-compliant technical environment) or have technical requirements not supported by C3 Command. While C3 Command includes the technical environment, ongoing support, AND compliance advisory services (the 80/20 model), C3 Catalyst provides clients that already have a compliance resource the managed technical infrastructure and cybersecurity services that meets CMMC Level 2 objectives. For clients without a compliance resource but who require a co-managed environment or have other requirements that C3 Command does not support, C3 Catalyst can include compliance services to help the client meet their Level 2 objectives and support assessment readiness. Both programs use the same proven CMMC Reference Architecture, but Catalyst is designed for clients who want to maintain their existing compliance relationship while leveraging C3’s technical and managed services expertise. 

Yes, C3 Command is designed to work for defense contractors of all sizes. Small contractors often benefit most from the 80/20 shared responsibility model because they typically lack internal IT and cybersecurity resources. By having C3 own 80% of assessment objectives, small contractors can achieve compliance without hiring extensive internal staff or becoming IT experts themselves. Meanwhile, larger contractors can trust C3 to manage an enclave that supports their DoD business while their internal team remains focused on the rest of their environment. The program is scalable to your size and complexity while providing enterprise-grade security and compliance. 

Pricing for C3 Command varies based on your organization’s size, current IT environment, number of users, scope of CMMC assessment boundary, and specific requirements. Because C3 Command is a comprehensive program including architecture, implementation, managed services, and compliance support, it represents a complete solution rather than piecemeal services. C3 provides detailed pricing during consultation after understanding your specific needs and can help you understand the total cost of compliance compared to alternative approaches. 

Absolutely. C3 Command is designed to take you from architecture to assessment-ready status. C3 Command can accelerate your path to compliance. The earlier you engage, the faster you can achieve compliance and the less risk you face of compliance delays impacting your ability to bid on or maintain DoD contracts.