During Phase 4 (Closeout) of the CMMC assessment, the Lead Assessor, on behalf of the C3PAO, finalizes the assessment results. This involves confirming that the Organization Seeking Certification (OSC) has met all applicable CMMC practices and objectives for the target level. The final recommendation submitted to the C3PAO is a formal attestation of whether the OSC has met the stringent, predefined criteria of the CMMC standard. This determination of meeting all requirements is fundamentally a conclusion on the OSC's eligibility for certification.

A. Ability: This term is too general. The assessment verifies the actual implementation of controls, not just the potential or general ability to be secure.

C. Capability: While the assessment evaluates the OSC's cybersecurity capabilities, the final recommendation is a formal judgment on qualification, which is more precisely termed eligibility.

D. Suitability: This implies a subjective judgment of appropriateness. The CMMC assessment is an objective verification against a standard to determine if the OSC qualifies, making eligibility the correct term.

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1. Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Assessment Process (CAP) for CMMC Level 2

Version 2.1

Section 4.4

"Closeout" (p. 16). This section describes the final reporting and recommendation activities. The C3PAO's "certification recommendation" is the direct output

which is predicated on the Lead Assessor's determination that the OSC has met all requirements

thus establishing its eligibility for certification.

2. Cyber AB

CMMC Code of Professional Conduct (CoPC)

Version 2.1

Section 3

"Responsibility to the Profession" (p. 4). This document requires assessors to "Provide diligent and competent services" and "Maintain objectivity." This objective evaluation against the CMMC standard is the process of determining an OSC's eligibility for certification

not its general ability or suitability.