RPOs vs. C3PAOs: Decoding CMMC Compliance Partners
Clarify roles, responsibilities, and what you need to know before engaging assessors
DATE
18 NOV 2025
TIME
7:00am PT | 10:00am ET
WEBINAR
Register now!
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Many organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) are still unsure what a Registered Provider Organization (RPO) actually does, how it differs from a Certified Third-Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO), and how to determine whether a partner is qualified to support their CMMC compliance needs.
This webinar will cut through the confusion. Our experts will explain the roles, limitations, and responsibilities of RPOs and C3PAOs — and share practical guidance on how to evaluate, vet, and work effectively with both as you prepare for CMMC compliance and certification.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of the session, you will be able to:
- Clearly differentiate the role of an RPO vs. a C3PAO
- Understand what an RPO can and cannot do under CMMC
- Know how to qualify and vet providers before engagement
- Learn how RPOs and C3PAOs work together for certification success
- Identify readiness checkpoints before bringing in a C3PAO
Plus, we’ll answer the questions every DIB contractor should be asking:
- How many organizations do C3PAOs turn away and why?
- What are the most common gaps that stop a C3PAO assessment from starting?
- What is the current pass/fail rate for certification assessments?
- Which control families are most commonly failed, and how can you prevent failure?
Why Attend?
With CMMC Phase 1 active Nov 10, contracting officers may begin including compliance requirements in new DOD contracts, making the right partner strategy more critical than ever.
Who Should Attend?
- Defense contractors self-attesting to CMMC Level 1
- Organizations preparing for CMMC Level 2 or considering Level 3
- IT and security professionals driving NIST 800-171 and CMMC compliance
- Business development leaders focused on contract eligibility and growth
Next Steps:
Reserve your seat today and get the clarity you need to confidently navigate CMMC with the right experts at your side — at the right time.
Casey Lang
CyberSheath SVP of Compliance
Casey Lang has over ten years of experience in cybersecurity, business resilience, and information technology from various roles in industries such as defense, healthcare, and retail. He has expertise in CMMC compliance, security program development and assessment, and has extensive experience in strategically planning security and business continuity programs based upon internationally recognized standards of practice from NIST, ISO, FISMA, and the PCI-SSC.
Fernando Machado
Managing Principal & CISO, Cybersec Investments
Fernando is the Managing Principal & Chief Information Security Officer for Cybersec Investments, an Authorized CMMC 3rd Party Assessment Organization. Fernando is a Lead CMMC Certified Assessor and CMMC Certified Professional (CCP). Fernando was a member of the CMMC Accreditation Body’s Standards Management Industry Working Group, which helped develop guidance on CMMC’s assessment criteria & scoping with over 17,000 volunteer hours. His contributions led to being formally recognized by the President of the United States with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.