CMMC C3PAOs (by State)

 

AL	Huntsville	Sentar, Inc.
AL	Huntsville	Gray Analytics
AZ	Scottsdale	LAZARUS ALLIANCE, INC.
CA	Carlsbad	KNC Strategic Services
CO	Colorado Springs	Digital Beachhead
CO	Denver	Edie Bailly LLP
FL	Clearwater	SP6 Consulting LLC
FL	Melbourne	Cybersec Investments
FL	Tampa	Paragon Cyber Solutions LLC
FL	Tampa	Peak Infosec LLC
FL	Tampa	A-LIGN
FL	Tampa	Schellman & Company  LLC
GA	Atlanta	Soundway

CMMC Level 2: Do You Really Need GCC High? When Microsoft GCC or Google Workspace Is the Smarter Choice

CMMC Level 2: Do You Really Need GCC High? When Microsoft GCC or Google Workspace Is the Smarter Choice

Published by C-LevelCyber LLC | May 2025

If your company is preparing for CMMC Level 2 certification, you’ve likely heard the same advice over and over:

“You need Microsoft GCC High to be compliant.”

But here’s the truth: Unless you are subject to ITAR (International Traffic in Arms Regulations), you probably don’t.

Let’s break it down simply:

Start With This One Question: Are You Subject to ITAR?

If YES → You may choose Microsoft GCC High OR Google Workspace Enterprise Plus with Assured Controls Plus.

ITAR data requires a DoD-only, U.S.-sovereign cloud environment. Microsoft GCC High and Google Workspace Enterprise Plus with Assured Controls Plus are purpose-built for this and satisfy those regulatory requirements.

If NO → You can consider Microsoft GCC or Google Workspace.

If your contract does not require handling ITAR data, and there’s no clause mandating DoD-only infrastructure, then you have more flexible, affordable, and faster options for reaching CMMC Level 2 compliance.

Microsoft GCC: The Practical Default

Microsoft GCC (Government Community Cloud) is a secure version of Microsoft 365 hosted in U.S. data centers with U.S. personnel. It meets FedRAMP Moderate and NIST SP 800-171 requirements, making it compliant for most CUI-handling environments outside of ITAR.

Why It’s a Smart Choice:

• Significantly lower cost than GCC High
• Quicker onboarding and licensing
• Fully meets CMMC Level 2 technical requirements
• Supports the familiar Office 365 ecosystem

Simple Helix - As a CMMC-focused IT provider, they typically start clients in Microsoft GCC by default—only upgrading to GCC High if ITAR or specific prime contractor mandates apply.

Helping You Choose the Right Microsoft Environment

Simple Helix supports clients in both Microsoft GCC and Microsoft GCC High, using a practical decision-making framework:

1. Start in Microsoft GCC to avoid unnecessary cost and complexity
2. Upgrade to GCC High only if ITAR or customer requirements demand it
3. Maintain full alignment with CMMC Level 2 every step of the way

This approach lets you avoid over engineering while keeping you compliant and ready for future audits.

Google Workspace: A Modern, Compliant Alternative

ATX Defense has guided contractors through successful CMMC Level 2 assessments using Google Workspace. They offer a free configuration guide (link: CMMCGuide.ATXDefense.com) which they’ve used to pass both DoD DIBCAC and C3PAO assessments.

What Makes It Stand Out:

• Streamlined, cloud-native design
• Simplicity for smaller or distributed teams
• Proven compliance at a lower operational overhead
• Transparent shared responsibility and security model

For many SMBs, Google Workspace offers a lightweight, compliant, and budget-friendly platform to support CMMC Level 2 readiness.

Final Thought: Compliance Doesn’t Mean Over complication

CMMC Level 2 is about meeting the 110 controls of NIST SP 800-171—not chasing the most expensive tools.

Unless your situation explicitly demands GCC High, you can likely meet your compliance goals faster and more affordably with Microsoft GCC or Google Workspace, backed by experienced providers like Simple Helix and ATX Defense.

C-LevelCyber is an Agent Partner for both ATX Defense and Simple Helix. Contact Mike: 256/  325-MIKE  (6453), Mike@C-LevelCyber.com, to schedule an intro conversation with one or both today!

C-LevelCyber LLC helps federal contractors drive down cost, time, and risk assembling managed services, strategies, and alternatives for CMMC assessment readiness and beyond.

Why CMMCMarket.com Is the Most Strategic Platform You're Probably Overlooking...

CMMC MSPs/MSSPs/ESPs & Vendors, Don’t forget to update your CMMCMarket.com Database Listing before this season’s round of DoD “Meet the Primes” and “Doing Business With” events…Federal Contractor viewership is way up!

Why CMMCMarket.com Is the Most Strategic Platform You're Probably Overlooking...

The Industry Blind Spot
Everyone talks about “getting CMMC certified”—but here’s the truth:
There’s no official public directory of companies that have actually achieved CMMC Level 2 certification.
Not from the DoD.
Not from The Cyber AB.
Not from the major consulting firms.

What exists instead are partial lists:
- C3PAOs (the assessors)
- RPOs (the consultants)
- Directories of service providers
But few if any tell you who has actually passed.

Enter: CMMCMarket.com
CMMCMarket.com is the first and only independently maintained directory that:
- Tracks CMMC Certified service providers
- Cross-references MSPs, MSSPs, ESPs, C3PAOs, RPOs, platforms (GCC, GCC High, Google Workspace) and more
- Provides search, filter, and location-level visibility
- Offers intel you can’t find anywhere else

If You're a Federal Contractor, use CMMCMarket.com to:
- Benchmark: See who is certified to support you in your region or state
- Choose vendors: Match with C3PAOs, RPOs, and Service Providers, that support the DIB

If You’re a CMMC Vendor or Service Provider, you’ve invested in CMMC…Partner with CMMCMarket.com to:
- Get visibility where decision-makers search
- Be seen as a market leader as adoption grows
- Promote thought leadership through featured content, webinars, or verified listings
- This is not a random SEO directory — it’s a targeted hub for DIB decision-makers evaluating real options for readiness.

Ready to Be Discovered?
Whether you're pursuing CMMC compliance or providing the path to it, CMMCMarket.com is where the visibility is shifting.
Get listed, get sponsored, or get noticed.
Your competitors already are.