What It Really Feels Like to Go Through a CMMC Audit (And How to Survive It)

If you’re a business chasing government contracts, you’ve probably heard about the CMMC audit process. I've been through it—and let me tell you, it’s not for the faint of heart. But with the right prep, mindset, and team, you can come out stronger on the other side.

Here’s my first-hand experience with what the audit feels like and what you should expect.

Preparing for the CMMC Audit

The truth? The audit starts months before the auditor ever logs in.

Your System Security Plan (SSP) will be the main document you live and breathe. It’s the foundation of your audit. Pair it with your policies, and you’ll have the roadmap the auditors want to see. The easier you make it for them to read and understand how each control is addressed, the less talking you’ll have to do—and the less chance you’ll wander into rabbit holes.

So focus on clarity:

• Build a clean, well-organized SSP.
• Match your policies directly to the CMMC controls.
• Provide evidence (screenshots, logs, records) in a way that’s quick to find.

Remember: if it’s not written and mapped, it doesn’t count.

👉 To help others prepare, I’ll be posting the System Security Plan template we used to reach certification. This will be available before the final ruling is out, so you can get a head start on organizing your own documentation.

The Audit Week: Stress, Scoping, and Standing Your Ground

When audit week arrives, things kick off with the scoping phase. This has to be done by your C3PAO (Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization), and it defines exactly what systems and boundaries are in scope. Pay attention here—it sets the stage for the whole audit.

And here’s something I learned: don’t be afraid to stand your ground. If a finding or question doesn’t sound right, push back respectfully. You’re allowed to ask for clarification, and if needed, request involvement from the C3PAO’s quality team.

During the audit itself, expect lots of deep-dive questions:

• “Show me the logs from that day.”
• “Who signed off on this policy?”
• "Where is this procedure documented?”

It’s stressful, but keep this in mind: a “trending not met” isn’t the end of the world. At the end of the week—and even up to 10 days after if you opt in—you’ll get the chance to reevaluate controls and provide stronger evidence. Use that breathing room wisely but don't be counting on it.

The Outcome: Relief & Next Steps

When it’s over, you’ll feel relief—but also see clearly where you need to improve. Passing the audit is great, but the real win is the maturity it forces into your security posture.

For us, the audit wasn’t just about compliance. It showed us how to better protect sensitive data and operate more securely as a business.

👉 Stay tuned—I’ll be posting the System Security Plan template that helped us reach certification. It’s the exact framework we leaned on, and I want others to have it in their toolkit before the ruling is finalized.