AT-NET is authorized by the Cyber AB as a CMMC Registered Provider Organization (RPO). This designation means AT-NET is approved to help defense contractors meet the U.S. Department of Defense’s cybersecurity certification requirements.
| “CMMC directly affects contract eligibility, reputation, and long-term viability. That’s why we built our process to help you move quickly and meet every requirement without wasted effort.” – Jeffrey S. King, President of AT-NET |
The Cyber AB (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification Accreditation Body) is an independent, nonprofit organization established in 2020. It serves as the official accreditation body for the Department of Defense’s CMMC program.
By working with AT-NET, contractors receive structured support from a verified provider. Our approach helps companies stay on track, prepare thoroughly, and meet federal expectations without confusion or overspending. The rest of this article will take a closer look at why you need a CMMC RPO and why AT-NET is the ideal choice.
What is a CMMC RPO?
A CMMC RPO is an organization that has been authorized by the Cyber AB to help companies prepare for CMMC compliance. These organizations do not perform official certification audits. Instead, they provide support during the preparation phase.
A CMMC RPO’s job is to help you find and fix cybersecurity gaps so that you’re ready for a formal assessment. Formal assessments are performed by a Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO).
To become a CMMC RPO, a company must be U.S.-owned, sign a professional code of conduct, pass a background check, and employ at least one trained Registered Practitioner (RP). An RP is an individual who is trained to help organizations prepare for a CMMC assessment. RPs must meet similar standards, but on an individual basis instead of an organizational one.
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Why Should Your Business Work With a CMMC RPO?
Be Better Prepared For CMMC Level 2
Most contractors are not ready for CMMC Level 2. One report found that only 41% of DoD contractors had completed their NIST 800-171 self-assessments, and the average score was –12 out of 110. Only 4% felt confident about passing a CMMC audit.
A CMMC RPO helps close that gap. RPOs know the framework well and can help you meet all 110 controls required for Level 2. You will be less likely to miss a requirement or fail the audit because an RPO can help you understand what each control means and what steps you need to take to meet it.
Avoid Costly Mistakes
Contractors that are not compliant with CMMC can lose access to their DoD contracts. Trying to fix gaps late in the process often leads to missed deadlines and more expensive fixes. RPOs help you avoid these problems by guiding you through a clear, step-by-step process.
Meet Documentation & Reporting Requirements
To meet CMMC requirements, your organization must follow specific reporting and documentation requirements. A CMMC RPO can help you prepare these documents correctly. They also make sure your documentation stays up to date and matches what you’ve implemented.
These documents include the following.
| System Security Plan (SSP) | Describes how your organization meets each of the NIST SP 800-171 controls. Includes policies, procedures, and system descriptions. | Proves you understand and apply each control. |
| Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&M) | Lists any controls not yet fully implemented, steps needed to complete them, responsible parties, and estimated timelines. | Helps show progress toward compliance and communicates a clear plan for reaching full implementation. |
| SPRS Self-Assessment Score | Shows your current compliance score based on NIST SP 800-171, submitted to the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) for DoD review. | DoD contracting officers review this score to assess risk and determine your eligibility for certain contracts. |
Using AT-NET as a CMMC RPO: Step-by-Step
1. Initial Discovery Call
AT-NET begins with a discovery call to learn about your business, contracts, and the type of data you handle. We will confirm which CMMC level applies to you and identify the systems, teams, and locations that need to meet compliance. At this stage, we will also review your current cybersecurity measures to see what’s already in place.
2. Gap Assessment
AT-NET will then conduct a full readiness review to measure your current security controls against all 110 practices in CMMC Level 2. We will check your documentation, scan your systems, and interview key staff. You will receive a detailed report showing which controls are missing or incomplete.
3. Remediation Support
Based on what was discovered during your gap assessment, we will work with you to create a plan to fix any issues. We will also help create or improve policies, train your staff, and track progress. By the end of this step, your organization should meet all CMMC Level 2 requirements.
4. Pre-Assessment Review (Optional)
Before you schedule your formal assessment, AT-NET can perform a pre-assessment review to double-check your readiness. During this review, we will verify that all controls are in place, documentation is current, and technical systems work as expected. This optional step helps you avoid surprises during your formal audit.
5. Ongoing Support & Compliance Management
AT-NET continues supporting your compliance after certification. We provide ongoing monitoring, patching, user training, and documentation updates. Plus, we can help you with annual self-assessments and so you can prepare for future audits. Instead of building an internal compliance team, you can rely on AT-NET to manage your CMMC obligations efficiently.
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Benefits of Choosing AT-NET as Your CMMC RPO
1. Tailored Support
AT-NET starts every engagement with a discovery session to learn about your DoD contract involvement, current controls, and how you handle CUI. This helps determine your required CMMC level and what you’ll need to reach it. As a result, you get highly tailored advice instead of a list of general best practices.
2. Save Time & Reduce Long-Term Costs
Meeting CMMC requirements on your own often leads to delays and rework. The whole process usually takes about 6 to 18 months. AT-NET can help you streamline that process without cutting corners.
Each step you take toward compliance can also cost a lot of money. Take these estimates from CloudSecureTech.
Source: CloudSecureTech
Because AT-NET focuses your compliance efforts on your specific needs, you can reduce the cost of meeting compliance. That’s because you won’t waste money on trying to meet standards that don’t apply to your situation.
3. Support For Long-Term Compliance, Not Just Audit Prep
If you continue with AT-NET after certification, we can manage your compliance year-round. That includes maintaining documentation, handling DFARS reporting, and monitoring your security posture to verify it continues to meet CMMC standards.
4. Full MSP Capabilities
Because AT-NET is also a managed IT service provider, we can deliver compliance support alongside broader infrastructure and security services. This gives you continuity across your entire IT environment.
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Contact AT-NET to Start Working With an Authorized CMMC RPO Today
CMMC compliance is complex, but AT-NET helps make it clear and achievable. As an authorized CMMC RPO, we have the experience and technical knowledge to guide your organization through Level 2 requirements.
Whether you’re a subcontractor or a prime contractor, we can tailor our services to meet your needs. Our support helps you avoid delays, reduce internal workload, and stay aligned with evolving DoD expectations.
Contact AT-NET today to start with your discovery call.
