CMMC-CCP Cyber AB Certified CMMC Professional (CCP) Exam Free Practice Exam Questions (2026 Updated)

The presence of badge readers, PIN code pads, and keys directly corresponds to controlling and managing physical access devices, which maps to PE.L1-3.10.5 under the Physical Protection (PE) domain. This practice ensures that only authorized individuals have access to physical areas containing information systems.

The other options address unrelated requirements:

MP.L2-3.8.5 addresses marking CUI media,

SI.L2-3.14.3 addresses monitoring security alerts,

PS.L2-3.9.2 addresses protections during personnel changes.

Reference Documents:

CMMC Model v2.0, Level 1–3 Practices

NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, Control PE-3

During aCMMC assessment, organizations must provide evidence to demonstrate compliance with requiredpractices and processes. Assessors evaluate this evidence based on two key criteria:

Adequacy– Does the evidence meet the intent of the security requirement?

Sufficiency– Is there enough evidence to reasonably conclude that the practice/process is effectively implemented?

These principles are outlined in theCMMC Assessment Process Guide, which provides a structured approach for evaluating compliance.

Step-by-Step Breakdown:

✅1. Adequacy – Does the evidence fully meet the requirement?

Adequacyrefers to whether the evidence properly demonstrates that the security practice has been implemented as required.

Example: If an organization claims to enforceMulti-Factor Authentication (MFA), an assessor would checksystem configurations, login policies, and user authentication logsto confirm that MFA is actually in use.

✅2. Sufficiency – Is there enough evidence to support the claim?

Sufficiencymeans that there isenough supporting evidenceto prove compliance.

Example: If an organization providesonly one screenshot of an MFA login screen, that alone may not besufficient—additional logs, policies, and user records would help strengthen the case.

Why the Other Answer Choices Are Incorrect:

(B) Adequacy and Thoroughness❌

Thoroughnessis not a defined metric in CMMC evidence evaluation.

The focus is onwhether the evidence meets the requirement (adequacy)and if there isenough of it (sufficiency).

(C) Sufficiency and Thoroughness❌

Thoroughnessis not a recognized term in CMMC compliance validation.

Evidence must beadequate and sufficient, not just thorough.

(D) Sufficiency and Appropriateness❌

Appropriatenessis not a CMMC-defined criterion.

Thecorrect terms used in CMMC assessmentsareAdequacy(Does it meet the requirement?) andSufficiency(Is there enough proof?).

Final Validation from CMMC Documentation:

CMMC Assessment Process Guideexplicitly states that evidence must be evaluated based onadequacyandsufficiencyto confirm compliance with security practices.

Under the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v2.0 , the C3PAO holds the initial (and ultimate) responsibility to identify and manage conflicts of interest (COI) related to a CMMC Level 2 certification assessment. CAP v2.0 includes an explicit pre-assessment activity titled “Identify and Manage Initial Conflicts of Interest (COI)” and states that C3PAOs are ultimately responsible for managing impartiality and identifying conflicts of interest for the assessment.

CAP v2.0 further clarifies that this responsibility cannot be delegated to the assessment team (including the Lead Assessor/Lead CCA) or to the OSC. In other words, while the Lead Assessor participates in executing the process and the OSC must cooperate (e.g., disclose relationships or prior services that could create COI), CAP places the duty to run the COI identification/mitigation process squarely on the C3PAO as the assessment organization.

This aligns with the intent of impartiality controls in certification programs: the certification body (here, the C3PAO) must ensure objective assessments by identifying conflicts early, applying mitigation (or avoidance), and documenting the resolution before the assessment proceeds. Since the question asks who has the initial responsibility , the CAP’s direct assignment of COI management to the C3PAO makes B the correct answer.

===========

Under Title 44 U.S.C. Chapter 33 (Records Management) and NARA directives, agencies and organizations must establish policies and procedures for the disposal of all recorded information, regardless of form or characteristics. This includes paper records, electronic documents, digital media, audiovisual files, and any other information format. The requirement ensures consistent handling, retention, and lawful disposal of both federal records and CUI.

Reference Documents:

Title 44, U.S. Code, Chapter 33: Records Management

NARA Records Management Directive

Step 1: Understanding CMMC Assessment Scope Determination

In a CMMC Level 2 assessment, the Organization Seeking Certification (OSC) is responsible for identifying the assessment scope based on the CMMC Scoping Guidance provided by the Cyber AB (Cyber Accreditation Body) and DoD.

The OSC must determine which assets and systems handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and categorize them accordingly.

According to the CMMC Scoping Guidance, Level 1, the scope of an assessment includes all assets that process, store, or transmit Federal Contract Information (FCI). CMMC is " information-centric, " meaning the security requirements apply to the information itself, regardless of the media it resides on (digital or physical).

Asset Identification: In a Level 1 assessment, assets are categorized as either FCI Assets or Out-of-Scope Assets. Since the file cabinet is explicitly identified as containing paper FCI, it meets the definition of an asset that stores the protected information.

Basic Safeguarding (FAR 52.204-21): The 17 practices of CMMC Level 1 are derived from the FAR clause for the " Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems. " However, the physical protection requirements within that set (such as PE.L1-3.10.1, which requires limiting physical access to organizational information systems and equipment) extend to the physical storage locations of that data.

Media Neutrality: CMMC documentation emphasizes that " information systems " include the physical components and the information processed by them. If FCI is printed and stored in a cabinet, that cabinet becomes a physical storage asset within the assessment boundary.

Why other options are incorrect:

Option B: Physical location alone does not bring an asset into scope. For example, a coffee machine in the same room as an FCI computer remains out of scope because it doesn ' t handle FCI. Thecontent(FCI) makes the cabinet in-scope, not its proximity.

Option C: CMMC and the underlying FAR clause do not exempt paper-based information. Protected data must be secured whether it is on a hard drive or a printed sheet.

Option D: While a file cabinet may not " process " or " transmit " data like a computer does, it absolutely stores it. The definition of the scope includes all three functions (process, store, or transmit).

Reference Documents:

CMMC Scoping Guidance, Level 1: Section 2.0 (CMMC Level 1 Asset Categories), which defines FCI Assets as those that process, store, or transmit FCI.

CMMC Assessment Guide, Level 1: Discussion on Physical Protection (PE) practices and their application to physical media.

32 CFR Part 170 (CMMC Program Rule): Definitions of FCI and the requirements for contractor self-assessments.

Understanding Ethical Responsibility in the CMMC Ecosystem

Ethics in theCMMC ecosystemis ashared responsibilitybetween theCMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB)and itsmembers. TheCMMC-AB Code of Professional Conductoutlines ethical obligations forassessors, consultants, and other ecosystem participantsto ensure integrity, fairness, and professionalism.

Key Ethical Responsibilities Include:

CMMC-AB ensures the accreditation process remains fair, unbiased, and ethical.

CMMC ecosystem members (assessors, consultants, and organizations) are responsible for upholding ethical practices in assessments and implementations.

Ethical violations can result indisciplinary actions, revocation of certification, or legal consequences.

Why is the Correct Answer " CMMC-AB and Members of the CMMC Ecosystem " (C)?

A. DoD and CMMC-AB → Incorrect

TheDoD oversees CMMC implementation, butit is not responsible for the ethical conduct of CMMC assessments.

B. OSC and Sponsors → Incorrect

TheOrganization Seeking Certification (OSC)is responsible for compliance but doesnot oversee ethics in the CMMC ecosystem.

C. CMMC-AB and Members of the CMMC Ecosystem → Correct

Ethics is explicitly stated as ajoint responsibility of the CMMC-AB and its ecosystem membersin official CMMC guidance.

D. Members of the CMMC Ecosystem and Lead Assessors → Incorrect

Lead Assessors are part of theCMMC ecosystem, butCMMC-AB is the governing body responsible for ethical oversight.

CMMC 2.0 References Supporting this Answer:

CMMC-AB Code of Professional Conduct

Defines ethical responsibilities forassessors, consultants, and ecosystem members.

CMMC Ecosystem Governance Policies

Ethics isjointly managed by CMMC-AB and its accredited ecosystem members.

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Document

Outlines ethical expectations forassessors and consultantsduring certification assessments.

The Lead Assessor is responsible for protecting and maintaining all assessment records, notes, and information gathered during the assessment process. This includes working papers and supplemental documentation that may be needed for auditability or dispute resolution.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

CAP v2.0, Post-Assessment Responsibilities (§3.17): “The Lead Assessor must ensure that all assessment artifacts, notes, and information are archived or disposed of in accordance with C3PAO policy.”

Why Option A is Correct:

The CAP specifies that notes and information from the assessment must be preserved or disposed of according to policy.

Options B, C, and D list items not required in the CAP. The “letter” and “quality control report” are not part of the Lead Assessor’s required maintained materials.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content):

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v2.0, Phase 3 Post-Assessment (§3.17).

===========

In CMMC scoping terminology, an HQ Organization is the entity legally responsible for contract performance and delivery of products or services.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

CMMC Scoping Guide: “HQ Organization is the legal entity responsible for the performance and delivery of contract requirements.”

Why Option D is Correct:

The HQ Org is legally accountable, while Host Units (option A/B) are subordinate entities.

Option C refers to shared services, not the HQ.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content):

CMMC Scoping Guide, High-Level Scoping Definitions.

===========

A Restricted Information System (IS) is defined as an asset that cannot meet modern security controls but is still needed for contract performance. These systems may be declared out of scope if they are properly isolated, mitigated, and documented. A legacy Windows 95 computer meets the definition of a restricted IS.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

CMMC Scoping Guide (Level 2): “Restricted IS assets are those that cannot reasonably apply security requirements due to legacy or operational constraints. They are not assessed but must be identified and protected by alternative methods.”

Why Option B is Correct:

The Windows 95 system is an example of a restricted IS, so it can be scoped out.

Option A is incorrect — the asset is not handling CUI in this case.

Option C is incorrect — government property designation does not define scope.

Option D is incorrect — while it is “legacy,” it is not classified as OT; the correct CMMC term is restricted IS.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content):

CMMC Scoping Guide, Level 1 and Level 2 – Restricted IS definition.

===========

According to the CMMC Scoping Guidance, Level 2, assets are categorized into specific groups to determine how they are treated during an assessment. One of these categories is Specialized Assets.

The CMMC Scoping Guidance defines Specialized Assets as a specific group that includes:

Government Property: Any property owned or leased by the government and provided to the contractor (Government Furnished Equipment or GFE).

Internet of Things (IoT): Physical objects that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data.

Operational Technology (OT): Programmable systems or devices that interact with the physical environment (e.g., Industrial Control Systems).

Restricted Information Systems: Systems that have specific configurations or constraints that prevent standard security controls from being applied (e.g., legacy systems).

Test Equipment: Specialized equipment used for testing, such as oscilloscopes or signal generators.

Why other options are incorrect:

Option A (SOCs): A Security Operations Center is typically considered a Security Protection Asset (SPA) because it provides security functions (monitoring/response) for the assessment scope.

Option B (Hosted VPN services): These are generally categorized as External Service Providers (ESPs) or part of the Security Protection Assets, depending on how they are managed and their role in protecting CUI.

Option C (Consultants): These are External Service Providers (ESP) (personnel/organizations), not specialized hardware/software assets.

Treatment of Specialized Assets: Under CMMC Level 2 scoping rules, Specialized Assets must be identified in the Asset Inventory and documented in the System Security Plan (SSP), but they are generally not managed against the CMMC practices unless they process, store, or transmit CUI in a way that falls outside their specialized function.

Reference Documents:

CMMC Scoping Guidance, Level 2 (Version 2.0/2.1): Section 3.1, " Specialized Assets " and Table 3.

32 CFR Part 170 (CMMC Program Rule): Definitions of asset categories and their associated assessment requirements.

In the CMMC 2.0 framework, the " Advanced " level is synonymous with CMMC Level 2 . The model is designed to be cumulative , meaning each higher level incorporates the requirements of the level(s) below it.

Cumulative Structure : For an organization to achieve a Level 2 Certification, it must demonstrate that it meets all 17 practices from Level 1 (Foundational) plus the additional 93 practices introduced at Level 2, totaling 110 practices (aligned with NIST SP 800-171 ).

Access Control (AC) Domain Breakdown :

Level 1 : Contains 4 AC practices (e.g., limiting system access to authorized users).

Level 2 : Contains 22 AC practices total. This includes the original 4 from Level 1 and 18 additional practices (e.g., controlling the use of privileged functions, limiting unsuccessful logon attempts).

Level 3 (Expert) : This level adds even more practices from NIST SP 800-172 . While Level 3 " contains " Level 2, the question asks specifically about what the Advanced Level (Level 2) contains. Therefore, it contains Level 1 and Level 2 practices.

Why other options are incorrect :

Option A : Level 2 is not just Level 1; it includes the additional NIST 800-171 requirements.

Option B : Level 3 practices are part of the " Expert " level, not the " Advanced " level.

Option D : The " Advanced " level (Level 2) does not include the " Expert " (Level 3) practices.

Reference Documents :

CMMC Model Overview (v2.0/v2.1) : Section 3.2, " Level 2: Advanced, " which explicitly states the level consists of the 110 practices from NIST SP 800-171, which includes the Level 1 requirements.

32 CFR Part 170 (CMMC Program Rule) : Defines the mapping of the 14 domains and the cumulative nature of the certification levels.

CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide : Lists all 22 Access Control practices required for a Level 2 assessment.

The Certified Third-Party Assessment Organization (C3PAO) enters into a contractual relationship with the OSC. As part of that contract, the C3PAO maintains a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to protect sensitive and proprietary information reviewed during the assessment.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

CAP v2.0, Roles and Responsibilities (§2.8): “The C3PAO maintains a non-disclosure agreement with the OSC to protect all sensitive information disclosed during the assessment.”

Why Option B is Correct:

Only the C3PAO contracts directly with the OSC and is bound to protect assessment data.

NIST, The Cyber AB (formerly CMMC-AB), and OUSD A & S do not enter NDAs directly with OSCs.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content):

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v2.0, Section on OSC–C3PAO agreements.

===========

The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) 2.0 framework categorizes assets based on their interaction with Federal Contract Information (FCI) and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). In a CMMC Level 1 self-assessment, assets are classified based on whether they process, store, or transmit FCI.

Asset Categories as per CMMC 2.0:

FCI Assets – These assets process, store, or transmit FCI and must meet CMMC Level 1 security requirements (17 practices from FAR 52.204-21).

CUI Assets – These assets handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and are subject to CMMC Level 2 requirements, aligned with NIST SP 800-171.

Specialized Assets – Includes IoT devices, Operational Technology (OT), Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE), and test equipment. These are often categorized separately due to their specific cybersecurity requirements.

Out-of-Scope Assets – Assets that do not process, store, or transmit FCI or CUI. These do not require compliance with CMMC practices.

Government-Issued Assets – These are assets provided by the government for contract-specific purposes, often requiring compliance based on government policies.

Why the Correct Answer is C. Out-of-Scope Assets?

The question specifies that the identified asset does not process, store, or transmit FCI.

According to CMMC 2.0 guidelines, only assets that handle FCI or CUI are subject to security controls.

Assets that are physically located within an OSC’s facility but do not interact with FCI or CUI fall into the " Out-of-Scope Assets " category.

These assets do not require CMMC-specific cybersecurity controls, as they have no impact on the security of FCI or CUI.

Relevant CMMC 2.0 References:

CMMC Scoping Guide (Nov 2021) – Defines out-of-scope assets as those that are within an OSC’s environment but have no interaction with FCI or CUI.

CMMC 2.0 Level 1 Guide – Only requires security controls on FCI assets, meaning assets that do not process, store, or transmit FCI are out of scope.

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) Guide – Identifies the classification of assets in an OSC’s environment to determine compliance requirements.

Final Justification:

Since the asset does not process, store, or transmit FCI, it does not fall under " FCI Assets " or " Specialized Assets. " It is also not a government-issued asset. Therefore, the correct classification under CMMC 2.0 is Out-of-Scope Assets (C).

Understanding NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 1 and Media Sanitization

TheNIST Special Publication (SP) 800-88 Revision 1, Guidelines for Media Sanitization, provides guidance onsecure disposalof data from various types of storage media to prevent unauthorized access or recovery.

Three Categories of Data Disposal in NIST SP 800-88 Rev. 1

Clear

Useslogical techniquesto remove data from media, making it difficult to recover usingstandard system functions.

Example:Overwriting all datawith binary zeros or ones on a hard drive.

Applies to:Magnetic media, solid-state drives (SSD), and non-volatile memorywhen the media isreused within the same security environment.

Purge

Usesadvanced techniquesto make data recoveryinfeasible, even with forensic tools.

Example:Degaussinga magnetic hard drive orcryptographic erasure(deleting encryption keys).

Applies to:Media that is leaving organizational control or requires a higher level of assurance than " Clear " .

Destroy

Physicallydamages the mediaso that data recovery isimpossible.

Example:Shredding, incinerating, pulverizing, or disintegratingstorage devices.

Applies to:Highly sensitive data that must be permanently eliminated.

Why " A. Clear, Purge, Destroy " is Correct?

B. Clear, Redact, Destroy (Incorrect)– " Redact " is a term used for document sanitization,notdata disposal.

C. Clear, Overwrite, Purge (Incorrect)– " Overwrite " is a method within " Clear, " but it isnot a top-level categoryin NIST SP 800-88.

D. Clear, Overwrite, Destroy (Incorrect)– " Overwrite " is a sub-method of " Clear, " but " Purge " is missing, making this incorrect.

Conclusion

The correct answer isA. Clear, Purge, Destroy, as these are thethree official categoriesof data disposal inNIST SP 800-88 Revision 1.

Step 1: Understanding AC.L1-3.1.22

AC.L1-3.1.22states: " Control information posted or processed on publicly accessible systems. "

This control requires organizations toensure that FCI (Federal Contract Information) is not publicly postedor made accessible in an uncontrolled manner.

FCI must beprotected from unauthorized disclosure, even if it is not classified or CUI.

According to the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP), specifically within the Phase 4: Reporting Results requirements, a C3PAO must ensure that every assessment package undergoes a rigorous quality review before it is finalized and submitted to the Department of Defense (DoD).

The Role of the CQAP: The CMMC Quality Assurance Professional (CQAP) is a designated role within a C3PAO responsible for verifying that the assessment was conducted in accordance with the CAP and that the evidence collected (the " Artifacts " ) supports the findings (Met/Not Met).

Mandatory Inclusion: When generating the Final Recommended Assessment Results, the package is not considered complete or valid without the formal review documentation from the CQAP. This documentation serves as the " stamp of approval " that the internal Quality Management System (QMS) of the C3PAO has validated the assessment team ' s work.

Why other options are incorrect:

Option A: While the Assessment Plan is a required document during the planning phase, it is an input to the process, not a mandatory component of theFinal Resultsgeneration in the same way quality validation is.

Option B: Daily Checkpoints are administrative tools used during the " Conduct Assessment " phase to keep the OSC informed. While they are part of the assessment record, they are not a mandatory technical component of the final results package.

Option C: The contract is a legal/business requirement handled during the " Plan and Prepare " phase; it is not included in the technical assessment results uploaded to the DoD.

Reference Documents:

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v1.0: Section 4.2 (Finalize Assessment Report) and Section 4.3 (C3PAO Quality Review).

C3PAO Authorization Requirements: Specifies the requirement for a Quality Assurance (QA) function to review all assessment outputs to ensure consistency and integrity across the ecosystem.

According to the CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) and the CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide, an assessment finding is built upon evidence collected through three primary methods: Examine, Interview, and Test. The term " affirmation " in this context refers to the verbal or written statements provided by the Organization Seeking Certification (OSC) personnel to confirm that a practice is implemented as described.

Broad Definition of Evidence: The CAP allows for a wide variety of artifacts to be used as evidence. " Affirmations " are typically captured during the Interview process or found within Examine objects.

Validity of Formats:

Interviews: Direct verbal affirmations from subject matter experts (SMEs).

Emails and Messaging (Chat/Slack/Teams): These are considered valid " Examine " objects (records/artifacts) that serve as written affirmations or evidence of an activity (e.g., an email chain approving a firewall change or a message confirming a system update).

Presentations and Demonstrations: These fall under " Examine " (the presentation slides) and " Test/Examine " (the demonstration of a mechanism).

Why Option C is correct: The CMMC framework does not disqualify digital communications like emails or messaging as evidence. In fact, these are often the primary artifacts used to prove that a process (like an approval workflow or notification) is occurring in practice. As long as the assessor can verify the authenticity and integrity of these communications, they are appropriate for collecting affirmations.

Why Option D is less accurate: While screenshots are indeed used as evidence, the core question asks if thespecificlist (interviews, demonstrations, emails, messaging, presentations) is appropriate. Option C directly validates the list provided in the prompt without introducing extraneous elements like screenshots, which—while valid—are not the focus of the " appropriate " determination for the items listed.

Reference Documents:

CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) v1.0: Section 3.4 (Collect and Verify Evidence), which discusses the types of artifacts and " human evidence " (interviews) that support findings.

CMMC Level 2 Assessment Guide: " Assessment Methods " section, clarifying that evidence can include any records (electronic or physical) that demonstrate the implementation of a practice.

NIST SP 800-171A: The underlying standard for assessment procedures, which encourages the use of various evidence types to satisfy assessment objectives.

Under DFARS and CMMC requirements, the prime contractor is responsible for ensuring its subcontractors meet the required CMMC level. Neither the DoD, The Cyber AB, nor OUSD A & S directly manages subcontractor certification.

Supporting Extracts from Official Content:

DFARS 252.204-7021: “The contractor shall ensure that its subcontractors have the appropriate CMMC level certification for the information they will handle.”

Why Option D is Correct:

Compliance responsibility flows through the contractor supply chain.

CMMC-AB (The Cyber AB) accredits assessors but does not police subcontractors.

OUSD A & S sets policy, not enforcement at contract level.

DoD agencies only require compliance at award/contract oversight level.

References (Official CMMC v2.0 Content):

DFARS 252.204-7021.

CMMC Model v2.0 governance guidance.

===========