Winter Springs, FL — Certified Third-Party Assessment Organizations (C3PAOs) across the United States report a widespread readiness gap among Department of Defense (DoD) contractors pursuing Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 2. More than 50 percent of contractors who schedule an assessment are not prepared during the pre-assessment stage and are prevented from advancing to the formal evaluation. As a result, they are removed from the assessment queue and often face delays of up to 12 months before they can be rescheduled, particularly in regions like Central Florida.
These findings come from a national research initiative conducted by Quantum AI Security, LLC, a cybersecurity firm based in Winter Springs, Florida, led by a Certified CMMC Professional (CCP). Unlike general cybersecurity consultants, CCPs are credentialed by the Cyber AB through rigorous live training and examination. This certification ensures that CCPs understand the expectations of C3PAOs and know how evidence must be structured and presented to meet assessment standards.
The Bottleneck Occurs Before the Assessment Even Begins
Contrary to headlines suggesting that contractors are failing formal assessments, the majority of delays typically occur earlier in the process. Most contractors are stopped at the pre-assessment stage, where the C3PAO performs a readiness review to determine whether a contractor is truly prepared for a formal evaluation. This stage is designed to protect both the contractor and the assessor from wasting time and resources.
C3PAOs report that over half of scheduled clients are turned away because they have not clearly defined their scope, do not have properly categorized assets, and lack sufficient documentation or mapped evidence to CMMC practices. These contractors are often moved to the back of the line, losing their scheduled spot and frequently waiting six to twelve months before another opening becomes available.
“We are not talking about failure under evaluation. We are talking about being turned away before the evaluation can start,” said Scott Lumpkin, CCP, CEO of Quantum AI Security. “The contractors thought they were ready, but the C3PAO determined otherwise. That misunderstanding is what is costing them time, revenue, and contract eligibility.”
What Happens When Contractors Are Not Certified
Without CMMC Level 2 certification, defense contractors are ineligible to handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), a requirement for many DoD contracts. This lack of certification directly impacts their ability to compete and grow. Contractors without certification risk losing:
- Access to DoD contracts that require CMMC
- Subcontractor relationships with Prime contractors
- Market position within the defense industrial base
- Revenue opportunities tied to future-readiness and compliance
“CMMC is no longer a future requirement. It is a current market differentiator,” said Lumpkin. “Contractors that achieve certification now are entering a competitive space with fewer qualified bidders. Those who wait may miss out entirely.”
The Real Issue Is Misalignment Between Perception and Reality
Quantum AI Security’s research reveals that the number one issue leading to pre-assessment rejection is a misalignment between what contractors believe constitutes readiness and what C3PAOs actually require. Common problems include vague or incomplete scoping, the misuse of templated policies without meaningful implementation, and poorly documented system boundaries and configurations.
While some contractors rely on internal IT staff or general cybersecurity vendors, C3PAOs and Cyber AB instructors continue to emphasize the importance of engaging Certified CMMC Professionals. CCPs are specifically trained to guide contractors in meeting the standards that C3PAOs are mandated to enforce.
“There is a growing misconception that any cybersecurity provider can help with CMMC,” said Lumpkin. “But only Certified CMMC Professionals have the training and testing required to align a contractor’s environment with what assessors are actually looking for. That alignment is what determines whether a contractor is ready or not.”
Resetting the Process Before Contractors Get in Line
Quantum AI Security, in partnership with the UCF Business Incubation Program, is launching an educational campaign aimed at reducing assessment delays and increasing successful certification outcomes. The initiative aims to help contractors understand what actual readiness entails, how to define their scope accurately, and how to present evidence in a manner that aligns with the CMMC Assessment Process.
“This is not about blame. It is about setting expectations and improving outcomes for everyone involved,” Lumpkin said. “When contractors prepare the right way, assessments go smoothly, timelines stay on track, and national defense priorities are supported.”
About Quantum AI Security, LLC
Quantum AI Security is a cybersecurity firm and Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) headquartered in Central Florida. Led by a Certified CMMC Professional, the firm specializes in helping small and mid-sized defense contractors prepare for CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 certification. Services include scope definition, documentation readiness, and implementation of security controls aligned with NIST SP 800-171. Quantum AI Security offers both technical security and compliance guidance with a business-first mindset.
For more information, visit www.quantumaillc.com or contact Scott Lumpkin at scott@quantumaillc.com.
About the UCF Business Incubation Program: The University of Central Florida Business Incubation Program is a community resource that provides early-stage companies with the tools, training and infrastructure to become financially stable, high-growth/impact enterprises. Since 1999, this award-winning program has provided vital business development resources resulting in over 300 local startup companies reaching their potential faster and graduating into the community where they continue to grow and positively impact the local economy.
With eight facilities throughout the region, the UCF Business Incubation Program is an economic development partnership between the University of Central Florida, the Corridor, Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole Counties, and the cities of Eustis, Kissimmee, Orlando and Winter Springs. In 2023, current incubator clients supported over 1,000 employees and generated over $120 million in revenue. Nineteen companies graduated from the program and remained in the local community. For more information, visit www.incubator.ucf.edu.
