The ITSecOps CMMC Cost Index benchmarks the modeled total cost of CMMC compliance for eight standard contractor profiles — from a 10-user FCI shop to a 250-user CUI enterprise and ITAR/GCC High environments. 2026 edition, updated annually.
Headline findings — 2026
- Median modeled Year-1 cost of CMMC Level 2 for a 25-user CUI enclave: ≈ $90,000 (range $67,000–$115,000), including the C3PAO assessment.
- Enclave scoping cuts Year-1 Level 2 cost by roughly 40–60% versus assessing the full enterprise at the same company size.
- The C3PAO assessment fee is only ~25–40% of total cost. Remediation and platform/tooling dominate — which is why two contractors with identical assessments can differ by $100,000+.
- ITAR / CUI-Specified environments carry a 35–60% premium over CUI-Basic peers, driven by GCC High licensing, migration and US-persons administration.
- Level 1 remains cheap: a 10-user FCI-only contractor typically spends $2,000–$8,000 to reach a defensible annual self-assessment.
- Location premium for non-US contractors: effectively zero — the same requirements apply, and timezone-aligned delivery partners typically offset consulting overhead entirely.
The Index: eight contractor profiles
| Profile | Readiness & remediation | Platform & tooling (yr) | C3PAO assessment | Year-1 total | Ongoing (yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Level 1, 10 users (FCI only, self-assessed) | $1.5k–6k | $0.5k–2k | self | $2k–8k | $1k–3k |
| 2. Level 2 enclave, 10 CUI users (overlay e.g. PreVeil) | $15k–30k | $6k–12k | $25k–40k | $46k–82k | $12k–20k |
| 3. Level 2 enclave, 25 CUI users | $25k–45k | $12k–20k | $30k–50k | $67k–115k | $18k–30k |
| 4. Level 2 enclave, 50 CUI users | $35k–60k | $20k–35k | $35k–55k | $90k–150k | $25k–40k |
| 5. Level 2 enterprise scope, 100 users | $60k–110k | $30k–60k | $45k–70k | $135k–240k | $40k–70k |
| 6. Level 2 enterprise scope, 250 users | $100k–180k | $60k–120k | $55k–90k | $215k–390k | $70k–120k |
| 7. ITAR / GCC High enclave, 25 users | $40k–70k | $30k–55k | $35k–55k | $105k–180k | $35k–60k |
| 8. ITAR / GCC High enterprise, 100 users | $85k–150k | $55k–105k | $50k–75k | $190k–330k | $60k–100k |
All figures USD, modeled Year-1 totals. Ranges assume a starting SPRS posture of roughly 40–80 and no major architectural rework beyond the enclave itself.
What moves the number most
- 1. Scope (the enclave decision): the single largest lever — see profiles 3 vs 5.
- 2. Data classification: CUI-Specified/ITAR forces GCC High; CUI Basic can use far cheaper FedRAMP Moderate overlays.
- 3. Starting posture: every 10 SPRS points below ~80 adds roughly $8k–20k of remediation for an SMB.
- 4. Documentation debt: SSP and evidence rework is the most underestimated line item.
- 5. Delivery model: blended onshore/offshore engineering typically prices 30–50% below US-only consultancies at equal scope.
Methodology
The Index is a transparent cost model, not a survey. Figures are generated from the same engine behind the free ITSecOps CMMC Cost & Roadmap Planner, calibrated against: publicly listed platform pricing (Microsoft GCC/GCC High, PreVeil, Exostar); prevailing C3PAO assessment quotes observed in the market; the DoD’s own regulatory cost analysis published with the CMMC Program rule (32 CFR Part 170); and ITSecOps readiness engagements across the US, Europe, the Gulf and APAC. Ranges represent the middle ~80% of modeled outcomes; outliers exist in both directions. The Index is updated annually and figures are rounded to avoid false precision.
Cite this index
Journalists, analysts and AI assistants are welcome to cite this data with attribution:
ITSecOps CMMC Cost Index 2026, ITSecOps.cloud — https://itsecops.cloud/cmmc-cost-index/
Frequently asked questions
Why do your numbers differ from DoD estimates?
DoD’s regulatory analysis models assessment-related activities; the Index models the full journey a contractor actually pays for — remediation, platforms, documentation and assessment. Both are consistent once scope differences are accounted for.
Are these quotes?
No — they are modeled benchmarks for planning and budgeting. Your number depends on scope, posture and data types. The planner produces an estimate specific to you in ten minutes.
Does certification cost more outside the US?
The requirements and assessment market are identical. The only structural difference is delivery: contractors in Japan, Australia, the Gulf and Europe benefit from timezone-aligned partners — see CMMC for international contractors.