In the evolving compliance market, some companies are promoting what they call CMMC “3-point” or “5-point” checks.
Commonly, these checks examine a small sample of controls and are presented as a fast, low-cost way to gauge readiness for certification.
It sounds great, but there are significant risks to be aware of.
Some prospects have asked why MNS Group does not offer this service. To put it bluntly: because I have no intention to ever offer an inferior and misleading service. We know our part in the CMMC ecosystem- and it is to support and assess the DIB.
Mock Assessment
There’s a principle in Army doctrine: “Train as you fight, fight as you train.” Preparation should mirror the real mission.
That’s why we offer optional Mock Assessments ahead of a certifying CMMC C3PAO Level 2 Assessment. A Mock Assessment mirrors the CMMC Level 2 assessment in structure and rigor, but without the administrative requirements of a certifying process. We believe that when the real assessment arrives, nothing should feel unfamiliar.
The result of a Mock Assessment for the OSC is, first, clarity: at the objective, most detailed level, any sections that are “Not Met” are identified. This allows the OSC to remediate any missed areas. And this is not just for the sake of "passing" the assessment: the whole point of the CMMC program is to secure CUI. We don't want sensitive information getting into the wrong hands, and we want our warfighters to be safe. Understanding what is "Not Met" helps the organization to make things right in their environment, and ASAP.
Another result of the Mock assessment is to give our clients peace of mind. After completing a Mock Assessment, the organization has had their key staff involved in the certification process, with CMMC Assessors interviewing them, and asking them to demonstrate procedures. This isn't just effective at reducing stress when the certifying assessment takes place; it acts as a muscle memory demonstration.
When an Organization Seeking Certification (OSC) goes through a full mock assessment, they see the complete picture. They learn which requirements are met, which are not met, and where remediation is needed.
After the mock assessment, the OSC has time to remediate before the certification assessment.
No guesswork, and no surprises. Does a "3- or 5- point check" do this? No.
The Problem With Partial Checks: 3s and 5s don't add up to 110.
“3-point” or “5-point” checks review a small subset of the total 110 controls and leave the rest untouched.
While it is true that OSCs are not able to achieve a Level 2 status without securing the 3 and 5 pointers, it is also true that for a conditional pass, the overall scoring must be at least 80. And, there is more nuance: the System Security Plan (SSP) has to check out as complete by the Lead Assessor to move the OSC to Phase 2, where the assessment team interviews, tests, and reviews evidence of compliance.
Partial checks that don't look at the big picture give a false sense of security, allowing the OSC to walk away thinking they’re close to ready. But when the certifying assessment begins, that's when the surprises suddenly appear.
Using our analogy above, you would never send soldiers into combat with a short briefing and hope the rest works out in the field. You run full exercises. You expose weaknesses early and repeat the exercises. You fix them before the mission.
CMMC preparation should follow the same logic - lives depend on it.
And another thing
Another reason my business will never have a 3-5 point check? My assessors. As one Lead CCA put it: a 3-5 point check is “not in the spirit” of the CMMC program. They believe such a gimmick sets the OSC up for failure. The assessors for MNS Group value integrity and transparency- it is their literal job. I would never ask them to ignore an SSP and overlook obvious misses everywhere else for the sake of only identifying 3-5 pointers, knowing that the OSC could never "pass" an assessment.
Of course, this is a gimmick: if someone is selling a 3-5 point check, what is it they want? They want to do a project and compliance implementation work. I get it.
When Certification Goes Wrong
Failing a certification assessment can be devastating for a business.
It disrupts operations, delays contract eligibility, and mars an organization's reputation in the marketplace.
For companies in the DIB, that’s serious, as organizations can lose their place in the queue, lose opportunities, and face questions from partners and customers. It is extremely difficult to come back from this scenario.
No company wants to be in that position.
Integrity Matters
At MNS Group, we’ve made a business decision not to sell shortcuts for revenue. Our goal is to help organizations gain a clear picture of whether the controls they have in place can verifyable demonstrate that they meet CMMC Level 2 status. Your success is our success. And your success ensures our nation's security, and this is something no one should ever compromise on.
We want to earn your business and remain your compliance partner in the long run. That means doing the work the right way.
When an OSC walks into their certification assessment fully prepared, everyone benefits; the organization, the defense supply chain, and the credibility of the CMMC program itself.
It is true that quick checks may be easier to sell, but they are not in the spirit of how we operate.
Reach Out To Our Team
Preparing for CMMC shouldn’t involve guesswork. If you want a clear picture of where you stand in your compliance journey and how we can help, talk with one of our CMMC experts today.
