Exostar’s Certification Assistant™ streamlines compliance for DoD contractors by automating SPRS scoring, self-assessments, and documentation, reducing errors and ensuring assessment readiness. Stay compliant, save time, and maintain your competitive edge.
INTRODUCTION
Simplifying NIST/CMMC Compliance for DoD Contractors
In today’s highly regulated environment, achieving and maintaining compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171 (NIST SP) and Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 is critical for organizations that work with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Exostar’s Certification Assistant™ is a comprehensive compliance management solution that simplifies the self-assessment process, ensuring that organizations can efficiently meet regulatory requirements and maintain a competitive advantage.
With Certification Assistant™, organizations can:
- Auto-calculate their DAM Score (DoD Assessment Methodology) score, more commonly referred to as SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) score
- Generate System Security Plans (SSP) and track Plans of Action & Milestones (POA&Ms)
- Maintain readiness for CMMC 2.0 compliance assessments
- Streamline compliance workflows, saving time and reducing manual errors
- Enhance their cybersecurity posture while improving their ability to secure government contracts
THE CHALLENGE
Navigating Complex NIST/CMMC Compliance Requirements
For organizations handling CUI and working with the U.S. DoD, compliance with NIST 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 is mandatory. However, the path to compliance is often riddled with challenges:
- Manual, time-consuming processes leading to errors and inefficiencies
- Complex regulations that can be difficult to interpret and implement
- Burden of documentation like SSPs and POA&Ms, requiring significant effort
- Uncertainty in score calculation, risking inaccuracies
- Lack of centralized management, causing delays and security gaps
Organizations risk non-compliance without the right tools and processes, which could result in penalties, contract loss, or cybersecurity vulnerabilities. To successfully navigate these challenges, businesses need a comprehensive compliance solution that simplifies the process while ensuring accuracy and efficiency.
That’s where Exostar’s Certification Assistant™ comes in.
THE SOLUTION
Streamlining Compliance with Certification Assistant™
Exostar’s Certification Assistant™ simplifies NIST SP 800- 171 and CMMC 2.0 compliance by automating assessments, documentation, and score calculations—eliminating manual guesswork and reducing errors.
With step-by-step guidance and real-time tracking, organizations can efficiently:
- Auto-calculate DAM/SPRS scores to ensure accuracy and compliance with DoD requirements
- Generate required documentation like SSPs and POA&Ms with minimal effort
- Centralize compliance management for easy tracking, collaboration, and audits
- Facilitate external collaboration with MSPs and compliance experts.
By integrating compliance into a secure, cloud-based platform, Certification Assistant™ enables organizations to stay assessment-ready, mitigate risks, and maintain their competitive edge in securing DoD contracts.
WHY CERTIFICATION ASSISTANT™?
The Smarter Way to Achieve Compliance
Navigating NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 compliance can be overwhelming—but Certification Assistant™ makes it simple. Unlike manual processes or generic tools, Certification Assistant™ is purpose-built for DoD contractors, offering:
- Automation & Accuracy: Eliminates manual errors by auto-calculating SPRS scores and generating SSPs and POA&Ms effortlessly
- Step-by-Step Guidance: Simplifies complex compliance tasks with intuitive workflows and real-time tracking
- Centralized Compliance Hub: Securely manage and store assessments, evidence, and reports in a cloud-based platform
- Seamless Collaboration: Assign roles, delegate tasks, and work with MSPs to streamline compliance efforts
- Assessment-Ready Documentation: Maintain compliance confidence with easily downloadable reports and audit-ready records
With Certification Assistant™, organizations can reduce risk, save time, and focus on securing government contracts—without the compliance headaches.
KEY FEATURES & BENEFITS
Comprehensive Tool for NIST/CMMC Self-Assessments
Simplified CMMC Self-Assessment
Navigating compliance frameworks such as NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC can be overwhelming. Certification Assistant™ provides step-by-step guidance to ensure that organizations complete assessments accurately and efficiently.
- Guided workflows that simplify complex compliance tasks
- Automated assessment tracking to visualize progress
- Clear compliance guidance to save time and reduce errors
REAL-TIME ACCURACY & COMPLIANCE CONFIDENCE
Automated DAM/SPRS Score Calculation
Manual calculations of DAM/SPRS scores can be time-consuming and error-prone. Certification Assistant™ ensures your score is automatically calculated in real-time, giving you confidence when submitting it to the SPRS system.
- Eliminates manual errors by ensuring accurate, automated score calculation
- Real-time updates as assessment progress is made
- Aligns with DoD requirements to strengthen compliance positioning
DOCUMENTATION FOR COMPLIANCE READINESS
System Security Plan (SSP) and POA&M Generation
Creating an SSP and managing POA&Ms are critical steps in demonstrating compliance. Certification Assistant™ automates these processes by generating required documentation as controls are implemented.
- Auto-generated SSPs based on assessment progress
- Built-in POA&M tracking to ensure remediation actions are completed
- Documentation Downloads: Easily generate and download essential compliance documents, including:
- System Security Plan (SSP)
- Evidence List
- SPRS Score Report
- Practices List
- POA&M Reports
System Security Plan (SSP): A detailed document outlining an organization’s security controls, policies, and procedures to protect CUI and comply with NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 requirements.
Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M): A structured plan that identifies security deficiencies, outlines corrective actions, and sets timelines for addressing compliance gaps in NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 assessments.
SECURE, CLOUD-BASED COMPLIANCE HUB
Centralized Compliance Management
Certification Assistant™ provides a secure, cloud-based platform for storing and managing compliance-related documentation, ensuring that organizations can easily access and update their compliance data.
- Centralized storage for assessments, policies, and evidence
- Secure document management to facilitate audits and compliance reviews
- Milestone scheduling to track key deadlines and progress
ENHANCING TEAM COLLABORATION & ACCOUNTABILITY
Advanced User & Role Management
Efficient compliance management requires collaboration across teams. Certification Assistant™ allows organizations to assign roles and responsibilities, ensuring accountability at every stage of the assessment.
- Role-based access control (Admin, Read/Write, Read-Only) to maintain security
- Task assignment features to delegate responsibilities effectively
- Secure account ownership management to transfer control when necessary
COLLABORATION WITH COMPLIANCE EXPERTS
MSP Support & External Collaboration
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) play a crucial role in supporting organizations with their compliance needs. Certification Assistant™ enables seamless collaboration with MSPs, ensuring compliance is effectively managed across different stakeholders.
- Invite External MSPs: Organizations can securely invite external MSPs to assist with compliance assessments, providing them with controlled access to manage assessments and documentation.
- Template Export & Import: MSPs can export and import assessment templates, streamlining compliance workflows across multiple clients.
- Documentation Downloads: Easily generate and download essential compliance documents.
- Task Delegation: Assign specific sections of the assessment to MSPs, ensuring efficient collaboration and accountability.
- Real-Time Compliance Monitoring: MSPs can track compliance progress, submit updates, and ensure organizations remain on track for CMMC and NIST SP 800-171 compliance.
By enabling direct MSP collaboration, Certification Assistant™ ensures that organizations receive the compliance support they need while maintaining full control over their data and assessments.
Managed Service Provider (MSP): A third-party organization that provides IT and cybersecurity services, including compliance management, security monitoring, and system administration, to help businesses meet NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0 requirements.
EXOSTAR’S CMMC READY SUITE
Integrated Compliance Solutions for Defense Contractors
Certification Assistant™ is part of Exostar’s CMMC Ready Suite, which includes additional compliance tools to support organizations in meeting regulatory requirements. Additional Solutions in the Suite:
- Exostar’s Managed Microsoft 365 offers a fully managed cloud service in Microsoft’s FedRAMP-authorized Microsoft 365 GCC High with robust cybersecurity features, meeting 85 of 110 NIST/CMMC requirements. This trusted Microsoft Teams environment securely stores, processes, and transmits CUI and enables secure collaboration with your partners, ensuring data protection and seamless teamwork.
- Exostar PolicyPro™ simplifies NIST SP 800-171 policy creation with an AI-powered engine and a comprehensive template library, ensuring policies remain compliant with evolving regulations.
- Partner with trusted experts for ongoing risk assessments and a submission-ready package — including SSPs, POA&Ms, and SPRS score calculations—so you can focus on your business.
GET STARTED TODAY
Take Control of Your CMMC Compliance Journey
Ready to take control of your CMMC compliance journey? Certification Assistant™ helps you streamline assessments, enhance security, and gain a competitive edge.
Contact Us
Connect with an expert and learn how Certification Assistant™ can simplify your CMMC compliance process.
Visit us at exostar.com/certification-assistant