What is a C3PAO?

A C3PAO is a "Cybersecurity Continuous Monitoring Third-Party Assessment Organization." It is a company that has been accredited by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to conduct assessments of an organization's cybersecurity posture for the purpose of issuing a Cybersecurity Continuous Monitoring (CCM) assessment report.

The CCM program is a federal initiative that aims to improve the cybersecurity posture of federal agencies and their contractors by promoting the use of continuous monitoring practices. As part of the CCM program, C3PAOs are authorized to conduct assessments of an organization's cybersecurity posture and provide recommendations for improving the organization's cybersecurity defenses.

C3PAOs are accredited by CISA based on their expertise in cybersecurity and their ability to conduct assessments in accordance with established standards and guidelines. Organizations that wish to participate in the CCM program may be required to undergo an assessment by a C3PAO in order to demonstrate their compliance with federal cybersecurity standards.