CMMC: Why Evidence Really Matters
At Security Vitals, we’ve just wrapped up two very different CMMC reviews—one through a Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) and another with the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA). While each reviewer had their own approach, one theme stood out clearly: evidence is everything.
Pass or Fail – No In-Between
For organizations pursuing CMMC compliance, every one of the 110 controls must be evaluated on a strict pass/fail basis. That means for each control, stakeholders must demonstrate exactly how objectives are being met. If even one component falls short, the control fails—no partial credit.
The Auditor’s Perspective
Auditors have one job: evaluate the details of each control and determine if it’s met. But practically speaking, they don’t have the time to verify every technical attribute themselves. Instead, they rely heavily on evidence provided by your team to validate compliance.
What Counts as Evidence?
During recent customer reviews, it became clear that self-assessments must include well-documented proof for each control. Common examples include:
- Copies of policies and procedures
- Screenshots of configuration standards
- Schedules and notes from incident response testing
- Visitor logs and badging procedures
Building Trust Through Evidence
Providing clear, organized evidence does more than just check the box—it builds trust. When auditors see that your organization can document, manage, and track compliance effectively, they gain confidence in your overall program. And the more confidence they have, the less likely they are to be overly critical during the audit process.
Bottom Line
In CMMC compliance, evidence is not optional—it’s the foundation of success. By preparing comprehensive, credible documentation for each control, organizations not only increase their chances of passing an audit but also demonstrate a mature and trustworthy security posture.
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