Executive Summary
You Made the Smart Choice. While other organizations are spending $200,000-$500,000+ on expensive GCCH implementations that take 6-18 months, you’ve established a solid compliance foundation at a fraction of the cost. You have secure CUI protection, substantial compliance documentation, and strategic flexibility that gives you competitive advantages in the defense market.
Your Position Today: You’ve deployed PreVeil encrypted email and filesharing for CUI protection and have access to Compliance Accelerator—a complete documentation package that has helped dozens of customers achieve successful CMMC assessments with 80% cost savings.
Your Path Forward: Two strategic decisions will determine your timeline and investment to full CMMC certification: how to complete your documentation and when to schedule and pay for your assessment. You control both the timing and when to incur the cost of formal CMMC assessment based on your business strategy.
What You’ve Already Accomplished: Your Compliance Foundation
You’re ahead of most organizations in the Defense Industrial Base. Here’s what your PreVeil investment has delivered:
Secure CUI Protection Platform
- PreVeil encrypted email and filesharing deployed: You have state-of-the-art end-to-end encryption protecting all CUI communications
- DFARS 7012 CUI protection requirements addressed: You’re demonstrating progress in addressing current contractual requirements for DFARS 7012 compliance
- Superior security architecture and ITAR compliance: Your end-to-end encryption not only exceeds the protection provided by expensive GCCH solutions but also meets ITAR requirements
Substantial Compliance Documentation
- Complete documentation package through Accelerator: You have access to complete documentation that covers all 110 NIST 800-171 controls
- Pre-vetted by certified assessors: All documentation has been reviewed and approved by C3PAOs
- Proven track record: Dozens of customers have achieved successful CMMC assessments using this exact documentation
Note: If you haven’t yet added Accelerator to your PreVeil subscription, it’s a smart strategic decision that 75% of PreVeil customers make. Accelerator not only saves $50,000+ in documentation costs but significantly reduces the risk of unsuccessful assessments. The documentation is constantly enhanced with feedback from our growing number of successful assessments, ensuring you benefit from lessons learned and evolving best practices.
Strong Compliance Posture
- Improved SPRS score: Often 84+ point improvement demonstrating measurable progress
- Defensible position: You can demonstrate diligent progress toward DFARS 7012 compliance to primes, DIBCAC, and contracting officers
- Cost efficiency: You’re spending thousands annually, not hundreds of thousands
Understanding PreVeil Compliance Accelerator: Your Documentation Foundation
What Accelerator Provides You: Compliance Accelerator is a complete documentation package built around the “ACME Corporation” reference model—a typical defense contractor scenario that likely mirrors your situation:
The ACME Configuration:
- 20 total employees with 5 requiring access to CUI
- PreVeil encrypted email and filesharing for secure CUI transmission and storage
- Microsoft 365 commercial with security protections
- Physical controls for any paper CUI storage
Your Complete Documentation Package:
- System Security Plan (SSP) addressing all 110 controls and 320 assessment objectives
- 14 comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures covering all control families (Access Control, Incident Response, Risk Assessment, Configuration Management, etc.)
- Pre-filled Shared Responsibility Matrix clearly defining what PreVeil handles vs. your responsibilities
- Assessment checklists, templates, and implementation guidelines
- Network and CUI flow diagram templates
Why This Matters:
- Saves $50,000+ compared to developing documentation from scratch
- Cuts timeline from 12-24 months to 3-6 months for certification preparation
- Pre-validated by assessors means smoother, faster assessments
- Aligned with your platform means documentation matches your actual CUI protection approach
Your Path Forward: Two Key Decisions
You now need to make two strategic decisions that will determine your timeline and investment to achieve full CMMC certification:
Decision #1: Documentation Completion Strategy
Your Accelerator documentation provides a substantial foundation (and if your configuration closely mirrors ACME Corporation, a nearly complete set of documents), but you need to customize it to your specific environment and ensure all gaps are addressed.
Option A: Complete Documentation Internally
- Best for: Organizations with capable IT/compliance staff or willingness to learn and invest time
- Process: Use Accelerator’s detailed guidance to customize documentation to your specific environment
- Timeline: Work at your own pace over 3-6 months
- Investment: Minimal additional cost beyond your current PreVeil subscription
- Key requirement: Dedication and effort (Accelerator will guide you through the process)
Option B: Use Consultant Support
- Best for: Organizations lacking internal resources or preferring professional completion
- Process: PreVeil connects you with consultants familiar with Accelerator who start with your substantial foundation
- Timeline: 2-4 months depending on complexity
- Investment: Significantly lower than traditional consulting (they’re customizing, not creating from scratch)
- Benefit: Professional completion with faster timeline
Option C: Hybrid Approach
- Process: Complete what you can internally, then PreVeil will assist you in engaging consultants for specific gaps or final review
- Benefit: Maximize cost efficiency while ensuring professional quality
- Flexibility: Adjust approach based on your progress and comfort level
Decision #2: CMMC Assessment Timing Strategy
The DoD expects a 5-year rollout for CMMC assessments, giving you strategic flexibility on when to schedule and pay for formal assessment.
Immediate Assessment Path:
- Choose if: You have significant defense contracts requiring CMMC certification soon
- Action: Complete documentation quickly and schedule assessment within 6-12 months
- Investment: Front-load documentation completion and assessment costs
- Benefit: Early certification provides competitive advantage for CMMC-required contracts
Strategic Timing Path:
- Choose if: Defense contracts are important but not immediate priority, or you want to preserve cash flow
- Action: Complete documentation at comfortable pace, schedule assessment when business strategy dictates
- Investment: Spread costs over time based on your business needs
- Benefit: Maintain compliance readiness while controlling timing and cash flow
Your Competitive Advantages
While you’re making strategic decisions about documentation and timing, recognize the advantages your PreVeil foundation provides:
Versus GCCH Adopters:
- They’re spending: 6-18 months and $200,000-$500,000+ on infrastructure replacement
- You have: Immediate CUI protection and substantial documentation foundation
- They face: Massive business disruption and extended timelines
- You enjoy: One-hour deployment completed, flexibility to focus on documentation and timing
Versus “Do Nothing” Organizations:
- They’re risking: DFARS 7012 violations with potential legal and business consequences
- You’re demonstrating: Active compliance progress with improved SPRS scores
- They’ll face: Rushed, expensive timelines when forced to act
- You can choose: Strategic timing based on business priorities
Versus Organizations Considering Exiting the DIB:
- They’re considering: Abandoning defense opportunities due to perceived compliance costs
- You have: The option to stay in the DIB at nominal investment vs. quitting
- They’ll lose: All future defense business opportunities and existing relationships
- You can maintain: Defense market participation while controlling costs and timing
Demonstrating Your Progress: What You Can Show Today
Your PreVeil foundation provides immediate value in compliance discussions:
To Prime Contractors:
- Deployed CUI protection platform with state-of-the-art encryption
- System Security Plan and compliance documentation from Accelerator
- Improved SPRS score demonstrating measurable compliance progress
- Clear roadmap to full CMMC certification with proven approach
To DIBCAC/Contracting Officers:
- Evidence of diligent DFARS 7012 compliance efforts through deployed CUI protection
- Documented security procedures and implementation evidence
- Substantial documentation foundation showing serious commitment to compliance
To Internal Stakeholders:
- Cost-effective compliance approach avoiding expensive infrastructure replacement
- Strategic flexibility to time major investments based on business needs
- Competitive positioning for defense opportunities without prohibitive upfront costs
Your Success Timeline: From Foundation to Certification
Based on your current PreVeil foundation, here’s a realistic timeline to full CMMC certification:
Months 1-2: Assessment and Planning
- Evaluate your environment against the ACME reference model
- Choose your documentation completion strategy (internal, consultant, or hybrid)
- Plan your assessment timing based on business priorities and contract opportunities
- Begin customizing Accelerator documentation to your specific environment
Months 3-6: Documentation Completion
- Complete documentation customization using your chosen approach
- Implement any missing technical controls identified during documentation review
- Compute your SPRS score to objectively assess where you stand in compliance
- Begin evidence collection activities (meetings, trainings, assessments)
- Conduct internal compliance review to identify and address gaps
Assessment Preparation (When Business Strategy Dictates):
Timeline: 6-9 months for those seeking early certification, or several years out for strategic timing
- Finalize all documentation and evidence collection
- Conduct practice assessment or gap analysis
- Engage with C3PAO familiar with PreVeil Accelerator approach
- Schedule formal CMMC assessment when business strategy dictates
Assessment and Certification
- Streamlined assessment process due to assessor familiarity with pre-vetted documentation
- Focus on implementation evidence rather than documentation adequacy
- Achieve CMMC certification with proven approach and strong foundation
Investment Considerations: Controlling Your Costs
Your PreVeil foundation allows you to control both timing and costs of your certification journey:
- Current Annual Investment: Your PreVeil subscription (typically $5,000-$15,000 annually depending on user count)
- Documentation Completion Investment:
- Internal completion: Minimal additional cost, requires time and effort
- Consultant assistance: $10,000-$30,000 depending on complexity (significantly lower than traditional $50,000+ consulting)
- Hybrid approach: $5,000-$20,000 depending on level of consultant involvement
- Assessment Investment: $25,000-$40,000 for formal CMMC assessment (industry standard)
- Total Investment to Certification: $40,000-$85,000 total vs. $200,000-$500,000+ for GCCH approachStrategic Flexibility: Unlike infrastructure-dependent approaches, you can accelerate or decelerate investment based on business priorities, not technical constraints.
Proven Success: You’re Following a Winning Strategy
Your approach isn’t experimental—it’s delivering real results:
- Dozens of successful CMMC assessments completed using PreVeil and Accelerator
- 80% cost reduction compared to traditional consulting approaches
- 3-6 month timeline to certification vs. 12-24 months for traditional approaches
- Trusted by 75%+ of PreVeil customers with thousands of successful implementations
C3PAO Recognition: Certified assessors are increasingly familiar with PreVeil Accelerator documentation, leading to more efficient assessments and reduced assessment costs.
Conclusion: Stay the Course and Succeed
You’ve made smart strategic decisions that put you ahead of most organizations in the Defense Industrial Base. You have:
- Secure CUI protection that exceeds expensive alternatives
- Substantial compliance documentation with a proven track record
- Strategic flexibility to control timing and costs
- Competitive advantages while others struggle with expensive, disruptive implementations
Don’t abandon your smart strategy due to outside pressure. You have a proven path to CMMC certification at a fraction of traditional costs with strategic control over timing and investment.
Take Action: Optimize Your Path to Success
Every organization’s situation is unique. Rather than make assumptions about your specific timeline and needs, get personalized guidance from PreVeil’s compliance experts who understand your current foundation and available options.
Contact PreVeil’s compliance team to:
- Review your specific documentation needs and customization requirements
- Discuss your preferred completion approach (internal, consultant, or hybrid)
- Plan your assessment timing based on business priorities and contract opportunities
- Access consultant network if professional support would benefit your timeline
Your next step: Contact your customer success representative to get more information about Compliance Accelerator or to schedule a consultation with our compliance team.
