How to Know If Your Current Managed Service Provider Can Deliver CMMC Compliance Support

A common challenge for small and medium-sized businesses in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) right now is figuring out how to tackle CMMC Level 1 or Level 2 compliance. Many of these businesses outsource IT to a Managed Service Provider (MSP), so it’s only natural that their MSP is the first place they turn when CMMC requirements come into play.

While it’s certainly possible for an MSP to manage your IT in a way that enables CMMC Level 2 compliance, it’s a significant undertaking with plenty of pitfalls. In fact, it’s not uncommon for MSPs to quickly find themselves in over their heads—leaving you in a risky position when it comes to securing future government contracts. Here are some key areas to focus on when evaluating whether your MSP truly has you covered for CMMC.

Tool Set

One of the biggest hurdles MSPs face in supporting CMMC is adapting their existing tool set to compliance requirements. MSPs often prefer cloud-based tools—which makes sense, since they’re flexible and cost-effective. But CMMC introduces specific requirements for Cloud Service Providers depending on the type of data being stored.

Ask your MSP what tools they’re using and where your data resides. If those tools handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), they must be FedRAMP Moderate authorized (FedRAMP Marketplace). If the tools provide a security function or store security-related data, the provider should at minimum supply a Shared Responsibility Matrix that clarifies how compliance is achieved.

🚩 Red Flag:  Storing your data in non FedRAMP moderate cloud service providers, and not having shared responsibility matrixes from cloud service providers that store Security Protection Data.

Shared Responsibility Matrix

Any External Service Provider (ESP) that supports your environment must give you a Shared Responsibility Matrix that maps out the CMMC controls—identifying whether you, the provider, or both are responsible for each. Since MSPs often handle a large portion of your technical controls, this document is essential.

🚩 Red Flag:  Not having a shared responsibility that speaks to all 320 assessment objectives in CMMC/NIST SP 800-171a  

Experience

CMMC is cybersecurity—but not all cybersecurity is CMMC. Many MSPs emphasize their cybersecurity services, which can create the impression that they’re naturally equipped to deliver on CMMC. The reality is that CMMC brings additional layers of specificity, documentation, and compliance obligations that go well beyond general security practices.

Look for experience. Ask if they’ve supported organizations through CMMC before, or if they’ve worked with comparable compliance frameworks such as NIST 800-171, FedRAMP, RMF, SOC 2, or HITRUST. Without proven compliance expertise, even a technically strong MSP may struggle to get you across the finish line.

🚩 Red Flag:  No previous experience with CMMC or other compliance based cybersecurity frameworks

Conclusion

Your MSP may play a critical role in helping you achieve and maintain CMMC compliance—but don’t assume they’ve got it handled just because they say so. CMMC is not “business as usual” IT; it requires specialized tools, clear delineation of responsibilities, and real-world compliance experience. By asking the right questions and requiring proper documentation, you can avoid unpleasant surprises and make sure your business is truly prepared when it’s time for assessment.

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