CMMC 2026 C3PAO Crisis: Lazarus Alliance Adds 100+ Assessment Slots to Help Contractors Avoid Delays

Lazarus Alliance Expands Capacity with Over 100 New CMMC Assessment Slots to Address 2026 Compliance Crunch and Prevent Contractor Delays

SCOTTSDALE, AZ, UNITED STATES, January 7, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Lazarus Alliance, a leading Cyber AB-accredited Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO), today announced the immediate availability of more than 100 additional CMMC Level 2 assessment slots through the end of 2026. This expansion comes in direct response to the growing industry-wide capacity crisis as defense contractors rush to secure third-party assessments ahead of mandatory CMMC enforcement in Phase 2.

With Phase 2 of the Department of Defense's Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 program set to begin on November 10, 2026, third-party CMMC Level 2 certifications will become required for most contracts involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). Industry reports indicate that C3PAO schedules are already filling rapidly, with wait times extending 3-6 months or longer for many providers. Approximately 80,000 defense contractors will eventually need Level 2 certification, yet demand continues to outpace the limited supply of authorized assessors.

"Lazarus Alliance is committed to supporting the Defense Industrial Base during this critical transition," said Michael Peters, CEO of Lazarus Alliance. "We recognize the real risk of delays that could jeopardize contract awards and supply chain continuity. By expanding our team of Certified CMMC Assessors and opening these additional slots now, we're helping contractors avoid the backlog and achieve certification on time."

Building on its proven track record—including a 100% first-pass success rate for CMMC Level 2 assessments in 2025—Lazarus Alliance offers comprehensive services, including gap analysis, readiness assessments, remediation support, and official third-party audits. The firm supports organizations across all sizes and NAICS codes, ensuring efficient paths to compliance with NIST SP 800-171 and full CMMC requirements.

Defense contractors are urged to book assessments early to secure preferred scheduling. Slots are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to reserve an assessment slot, visit https://lazarusalliance.com/services/audit-compliance/cmmc/ or call +1 (888) 896-7580.

About Lazarus Alliance

Lazarus Alliance is a proactive cybersecurity and compliance firm and authorized C3PAO specializing in CMMC certification, NIST 800-171 compliance, and risk management services for the defense supply chain. Known for its FedRAMP Authorized AI-Enabled Continuum GRC platform and expert advisory support, Lazarus Alliance helps organizations achieve and maintain robust cybersecurity maturity.

Lazarus Alliance is the premier global destination for accessing the world's foremost subject-matter experts in cyberspace law, IT security, risk assessments, audit and compliance, governance, and policy development. We proudly serve clients ranging from innovative startups to multinational corporations across every industry sector worldwide.

With over 26 years of pioneering experience, Lazarus Alliance leads the industry in Proactive Cybersecurity^®. Our comprehensive services—including risk assessments, compliance audits, vulnerability and penetration testing, privacy programs, and IT governance—are meticulously tailored to safeguard your digital assets and ensure regulatory excellence.

Whether you're navigating complex frameworks like SOC 2, PCI DSS, NIST, FedRAMP, CMMC, or the dozens of other important global standards we support, our veteran-owned team delivers concierge-level support, innovative tools, and actionable insights that turn potential vulnerabilities into unbreakable strengths—giving you confidence and peace of mind in an unpredictable threat landscape.

Michael Peters
Lazarus Alliance, Inc.
+17628224174 ext.
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