Georgia Southern University Passes CMMC Level 2 Assessment with a Perfect Score

Georgia Southern University recently reached an important milestone, successfully completing its C3PAO assessment for CMMC Level 2 with a perfect score. It was the culmination of a significant effort across the university’s IT systems, information security, and research teams, working alongside Planet Technologies to create a secure environment for research involving Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

But passing the assessment wasn’t the only goal. Georgia Southern University wanted to build something it could use well beyond a single research project or contract.

Building for the Research Ahead

Together, Georgia Southern University and Planet established a dedicated Microsoft GCC High and Azure Government environment using Planet’s Secure Research Framework. The secure enclave gives researchers access to approved collaboration tools, protected storage, virtual desktop infrastructure, and controlled communication channels for working with sensitive research data.

Just as important, it gives the university a consistent approach it can use as new research opportunities emerge.

Planet also worked closely with the Georgia Southern University team to prepare for the C3PAO assessment, supporting documentation, policy development, control validation, mock assessments, and the evidence needed to demonstrate that the appropriate requirements were in place.

That preparation paid off. Georgia Southern University passed its assessment with a perfect score and, according to the university, received high praise from its third-party assessor for how well its environment was prepared and presented.

Opening the Door to New Research Opportunities

The successful assessment gives Georgia Southern University more than another compliance milestone. It strengthens the university’s ability to pursue federal defense, intelligence, and research opportunities that require the secure handling of CUI.  And it means researchers don’t have to start from scratch every time a new opportunity comes along. The university now has a secure environment and established processes that can support new projects as its research portfolio grows.

For Georgia Southern University, that may be the most meaningful outcome of all: passing the assessment was the milestone, but creating new possibilities for research is the bigger win.