Budgeting for CMMC Compliance: Costs & Smart Planning Tips

🎯 Compliance Doesn’t Have to Be a Cost Trap

For businesses working with Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), CMMC compliance isn’t optional — it’s required to stay competitive in the DoD supply chain.

But once you realize you need to comply, the next question is:

How much will it actually cost — and how do you budget responsibly?

At FirstCall Consulting, we’ve guided defense contractors across CMMC Levels 1 to 3. In this guide (and accompanying podcast), we’ll break down the real cost of CMMC certification and how to avoid budget pitfalls that derail progress.

💰 Why CMMC Costs Catch Companies Off Guard

Unlike buying a SaaS product, CMMC certification is more like a construction project:
If you’re unclear on scope, dependencies, and goals — costs can spiral quickly.

Here’s where the biggest expenses typically come from:

📋 1. Readiness Assessment & Gap Analysis

Before spending on tools or consultants, start with a CMMC readiness assessment.
It benchmarks your environment, maps to NIST 800-171, and builds your remediation roadmap.

Typical cost: $5,000 – $20,000
Why it matters: Avoid overinvesting in tools you don’t need.

🛠️ 2. Technical Remediation & Upgrades

Most companies need to address critical controls like:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
• Endpoint protection & SIEM
• Network segmentation
• Migration to GCC High or secure enclaves

Cost range: $10,000 – $100,000+
Variables: Org size, cloud vs. on-prem, IT maturity

📑 3. Policy & Documentation Development

Auditors expect more than good tech. You’ll need:

• System Security Plan (SSP)
• Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
• Written policies (IR, access, audits, etc.)

Cost range: $3,000 – $15,000
Pro tip: Use vetted templates + expert guidance to cut costs.

👥 4. vCISO Support & Compliance Oversight

Whether part-time or in-house, someone needs to own the CMMC roadmap.

Cost range: $2,000 – $10,000/month
Best for: Companies that need audit readiness but can’t hire full-time

🧾 5. Third-Party Certification (C3PAO)

If you’re pursuing Level 2+, you’ll need a Certified Third-Party Assessor (C3PAO).

Cost range: $15,000 – $50,000
Warning: Don’t schedule your audit until you’re at least 90% compliant.

✅ Smart Budgeting Tips

• Use phased implementation to manage risk and urgency
• Map scope early — exclude what doesn’t store FCI/CUI
• Plan for annual renewals (MDR, tools, licenses)
• Skip DIY policies — use expert resources to move faster

🔐 Final Thoughts: Budget Right, Build Fast

CMMC isn’t just a checkbox — it’s a business enabler.
Smart budgeting helps you:

• Win contracts
• Reduce risk
• Build trust with federal partners

At FirstCall Consulting, we help DIB companies scope, plan, and implement CMMC without overspending or losing momentum.

📌 What to Do Next

🎯 Need help budgeting for your CMMC roadmap?
Book a 30-minute strategy call →

📋 Prefer to self-assess your CMMC readiness?
Download our CMMC Readiness Checklist →

🎧 Listen now: CMMC Cost & Strategy — Avoiding Budget Pitfalls
Available on Spotify