Day 55: CMMC Levels—What They Mean and Who Needs Them

Not all CMMC levels are created equal—and not all contractors need the same one. 
With 55 days left until the deadline, it’s time to clarify what Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 mean—and who needs to meet them. 

CMMC Levels Explained 

• Level 1: Foundational 

• For contractors handling Federal Contract Information (FCI) 

• Requires 17 basic cybersecurity practices 

• Annual self-assessment required 

• Level 2: Advanced 

• For contractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) 

• Requires 110 practices aligned with NIST SP 800-171 

• Triennial third-party assessment required 

• Level 3: Expert 

• For contractors supporting critical national security programs 

• Based on NIST SP 800-172 

• Requires government-led assessments 

Why This Matters 

Choosing the wrong level—or ignoring it altogether—can: 

• ❌ Disqualify you from contracts 

• ❌ Delay your SPRS submission 

• ❌ Trigger compliance audits 

How Valeo Networks Helps 

We guide you through: 

• Determining your required CMMC level 

• Mapping your data types (FCI vs. CUI) 

• Building a compliance roadmap tailored to your level 

• Preparing for assessments with full documentation 

CMMC isn’t one-size-fits-all. Know your level. Meet your requirements. Stay eligible. 
Start your level assessment today 
Contact: Jim Gast – jim@valeonetworks.com