ABS Quality Evaluations Achieves Authorized CMMC Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) Status

(Houston) – ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. (ABS QE), a world-leading certification body and subsidiary of ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (ABS Group), announced today their certification as a Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) third-party assessor organization (C3PAO). This authorization enables ABS QE to conduct audits for Defense Industrial Base (DIB) businesses operating within critical infrastructure to help them better ensure that their cybersecurity practices will adequately protect controlled unclassified information (CUI).

"The clock is ticking for DIB contractors seeking CMMC 2.0 compliance, and it’s increasingly clear that companies need to start now to stay competitive in the market," said Dominic Townsend, President of ABS Quality Evaluations. "We’re here to provide that guidance from the initial readiness review to audit and certification. Our deep expertise in management systems, in addition to our cybersecurity competence, forms the base of our CMMC services, and our C3PAO status facilitates our efforts to help safeguard the nation’s defense sector."

The achievement comes at a significant time in the DIB’s pursuit of more stringent, standardized cybersecurity protections. Launched in 2021, CMMC 2.0’s compliance deadline is pending completion of rulemaking, which is expected to be finalized in the very near term. Under CMMC’s updated framework, Department of Defense (DOD) contracts will outline the required compliance level (Foundational, Advanced or Expert), and organizations that do not adhere to the program’s standards will be deemed ineligible for the opportunity.

"Prompt and thoughtful CMMC 2.0 adoption will be critical to the ongoing success of the country’s defense contractors and, by extension, the country’s safety and security," said Ryan Moody, President and CEO of ABS Group. "As more contractors pursue compliance, C3PAOs will play a critical role, as it will be their job to assess and verify each organization’s practices. We’re honored to be among the first assessors supporting this effort."

ABS QE’s deep industry expertise—which is based on its 30-year legacy as a certification and auditing group—bolsters its CMMC services. As a C3PAO and recognized licensed training provider (LTP) by the CMMC Accreditation Body (Cyber AB), it will be able to assist businesses throughout the entire CMMC ecosystem, managing digital risk for the DIB and beyond.

Visit ABS QE's website to learn more about the company and its CMMC services.

About ABS Quality Evaluations

ABS Quality Evaluations, Inc. (ABS QE) is a subsidiary of ABS Group of Companies, Inc. (www.abs-group.com). As a world-leading certification body, ABS QE works with companies to improve the performance of their business, systems, people and supply chains through management systems certification, verification, training and assessments, including supply chain and cybersecurity. ABS QE’s global network of auditors plays a crucial role in helping organizations achieve business excellence and obtain the necessary certifications to get products and services to market.