CMMC Penetration Testing Services

Authorized security testing for systems handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), designed to identify security weaknesses and support CMMC readiness and broader cybersecurity requirements.

What CMMC Requires

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program applies to organizations within the Defense Industrial Base that handle Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), according to the requirements applicable to their contracts and CMMC status.

CMMC Level 2 is based on the security requirements in NIST SP 800-171 and involves assessment of the applicable security requirements through the relevant CMMC assessment process.

Penetration testing can provide additional technical evidence about security weaknesses in exposed systems, applications, networks, and other components within an authorized assessment scope. It should be viewed as a supporting technical assessment rather than a replacement for the applicable CMMC assessment process.

Current CMMC Program Status

On July 13, 2026, the Department of War announced the immediate suspension of CMMC Phase II requirements, which had been scheduled to begin on November 10, 2026. The department stated that Phase I self-assessment requirements remain in place while it conducts a broader review of the CMMC program.

Organizations in the Defense Industrial Base may still need to meet applicable cybersecurity requirements under their contracts and other governing requirements. The suspension of Phase II does not eliminate the need to protect CUI or maintain appropriate cybersecurity controls.

Because CMMC requirements may change, organizations should evaluate their specific contractual and regulatory obligations when determining the appropriate security testing approach.

What’s Covered

CUI Environment Testing

Testing can focus on systems, applications, network infrastructure, and other components that store, process, or transmit CUI within the authorized assessment scope.

Network Security Testing

Internal and external network components can be assessed for security weaknesses, exposed services, access-control issues, and other risks relevant to the defined environment.

See our network penetration testing service for dedicated network assessments.

Access Control Testing

Testing can evaluate whether authentication, authorization, and access controls are functioning as intended within the agreed scope.

This can be particularly important for systems containing or providing access to CUI.

Web Application Testing

Web applications that support defense contractors and CUI-related business processes can be assessed for relevant application security weaknesses.

See our web application penetration testing service for dedicated application testing.

Cloud Environment Testing

Cloud environments supporting CUI can be assessed according to the architecture, services, identities, applications, and authorization boundaries included in the engagement.

See our cloud security testing service for dedicated cloud assessments.

Security Control Validation

Technical testing can provide additional evidence about whether selected security controls and security mechanisms are operating as intended.

The testing approach depends on the applicable requirements, system architecture, assessment objectives, and scope established before the engagement.

Our CMMC Security Testing Process

Scope and Authorization

The engagement begins by identifying the systems, applications, networks, cloud environments, and other components included in the assessment.

Written authorization, testing boundaries, exclusions, communication procedures, and rules of engagement should be established before testing begins.

CUI Environment Review

The assessment team develops an understanding of the systems and environments that handle CUI within the authorized scope.

This helps determine which technical areas should be evaluated and how testing should be performed with minimal unnecessary disruption.

Security Assessment

Testing can combine automated tools with manual security assessment to identify and validate relevant weaknesses.

The exact methodology is adapted to the authorized environment and the objectives of the engagement.

Finding Validation

Potential findings are reviewed and validated before inclusion in the final report.

This helps reduce false positives and provides clearer information about the significance of identified weaknesses.

Reporting

The final report can document:

• Assessment scope
• Testing methodology
• Systems and components assessed
• Identified security findings
• Severity or risk information
• Supporting evidence
• Potential impact
• Recommended remediation

Remediation and Retesting

Where included in the engagement, previously identified findings can be reviewed after remediation.

Retesting can help determine whether relevant security weaknesses have been addressed.

What You Receive

Depending on the agreed scope, deliverables can include:

• Executive summary
• Detailed technical findings
• Assessment scope and methodology
• Severity or risk information
• Affected systems or applications
• Supporting evidence
• Potential business and security impact
• Remediation recommendations
• Retesting results where included

The documentation can help security teams understand identified weaknesses and prioritize corrective actions.

CMMC Security Testing for Defense Contractors

Organizations supporting Department of Defense contracts may operate complex environments containing CUI across internal networks, endpoints, applications, cloud services, remote access infrastructure, and third-party connections.

Security testing should therefore be based on the actual assessment boundary and the systems that are relevant to the organization’s security requirements.

A penetration test can provide deeper technical validation of selected components, while the applicable CMMC assessment process addresses the broader requirements and assessment objectives.

CMMC and NIST SP 800-171

CMMC Level 2 is based on the security requirements of NIST SP 800-171. Organizations subject to applicable CMMC requirements should evaluate their implementation of the relevant security requirements and maintain appropriate assessment evidence.

Penetration testing should therefore be viewed as one possible component of a broader security assessment and remediation strategy rather than as a substitute for the applicable CMMC assessment process.

Who May Benefit From CMMC Security Testing?

Defense Contractors

Organizations handling FCI or CUI under applicable DoD contracts may use security testing to identify technical weaknesses within their authorized environments.

Defense Subcontractors

Subcontractors supporting the Defense Industrial Base can use independent technical assessments to better understand security weaknesses affecting systems within their scope.

Organizations Preparing for CMMC Assessments

Organizations preparing for applicable CMMC assessment activities may use independent testing to identify technical issues before those activities.

Organizations Evaluating Higher-Level Security Requirements

Organizations evaluating more demanding cybersecurity requirements can use authorized penetration testing to obtain additional technical evidence about their systems and security controls.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Penetration Testing Required for CMMC?

The answer depends on the applicable CMMC requirements, level, contract, and current program status.

Penetration testing should not automatically be treated as a universal requirement for every organization subject to CMMC. It can, however, provide useful technical evidence within a broader security assessment strategy.

Is Penetration Testing Required Annually?

Organizations should not assume that CMMC creates one universal annual penetration-testing requirement for every contractor.

The appropriate testing frequency depends on the applicable requirements, contractual obligations, organizational risks, system changes, and security objectives.

Are You a Certified C3PAO?

We provide authorized technical security testing and penetration testing. We are not representing this service as a C3PAO certification or formal CMMC certification assessment.

A C3PAO or other authorized assessment process remains separate from an independent technical testing engagement where applicable.

Can This Help Before a Formal CMMC Assessment?

Yes. Independent technical testing can help organizations identify and remediate security weaknesses before applicable assessment activities.

However, a penetration test does not replace the applicable CMMC assessment process.

Do You Test Systems Handling CUI?

Yes, where the systems are within the authorized scope and the engagement has been properly approved.

Testing boundaries, access requirements, rules of engagement, and handling procedures should be established before testing begins.

Do You Test Cloud Environments Used for CUI?

Yes, where the cloud environment is included in the authorized scope.

The testing approach depends on the specific cloud architecture, services, identities, applications, and contractual requirements involved.

Can You Test Internal Networks?

Yes. Internal network environments can be assessed for relevant security weaknesses within the defined authorization and scope.

Do You Provide Documentation?

Yes. Depending on the engagement, reports can include identified findings, severity information, supporting evidence, affected systems, and remediation recommendations.

Do You Provide Retesting?

Retesting can be included where agreed as part of the engagement to determine whether previously identified findings have been addressed.

Request a CMMC Security Testing Assessment

Preparing for CMMC-related security requirements or evaluating an environment that handles CUI?

Tell us about your systems, applications, networks, cloud infrastructure, and assessment objectives.

We can help define an authorized CMMC security testing or penetration-testing scope appropriate to your environment and applicable requirements.

Confidential consultation · Authorized security testing · Professional reporting