Expert-led. AI-accelerated. CUI-safe.
Most defense contractors weigh three options: hire a consultant, do it yourself, or buy software. Fortwise combines the best of all three — and drops the parts that slow you down.
The comparison
How Fortwise stacks up
An honest look at the trade-offs across the four ways contractors approach CMMC.
| Fortwise | Traditional consultant | DIY / in-house | Pure software | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A credentialed CMMC expert on every engagement | ||||
| AI-accelerated gap analysis and evidence mapping | ||||
| SSP and POA&M generated for you | ||||
| Your CUI is never stored by the vendor | ||||
| Continuous readiness after you certify | ||||
| Independent of any C3PAO — no audit conflict | ||||
| Scoped engagement with an up-front quote | ||||
| Purpose-built for CMMC and the DIB |
Built in Depends on the vendor Not typically available
What sets us apart
Four reasons contractors choose Fortwise
Real CMMC experts, not a ticket queue
Every engagement is led by a credentialed advisor who knows the controls, the assessors, and the pitfalls. Pure-software vendors leave the interpretation to you; we don't.
AI that does the grunt work
The platform scores 110 controls and 320 objectives, drafts your documentation, and maps evidence automatically — so your advisor spends their time on judgment, not paperwork.
Your CUI never leaves your environment
Fortwise tracks metadata, hashes, and links — never the files themselves. You get a complete evidence trail for your assessor without handing sensitive data to a third party.
Readiness that lasts past certification
CMMC isn't one-and-done. We keep controls and evidence current through staff turnover, audits, and reassessment — so you stay ready to bid, not scrambling at renewal.
Common questions
Choosing how to approach CMMC
How is Fortwise different from a traditional CMMC consultant?
Traditional consultants are typically hourly and manual — and many hand you a stack of templates and wish you luck. Fortwise is expert-led like a consultancy, but the platform does the documentation, evidence mapping, and tracking, so engagements are faster, scoped, and quoted up front.
Why not just buy compliance software?
Pure software can automate evidence collection, but a C3PAO ultimately certifies your organization — and software can't interpret a control, scope your environment, or coach you through assessment day. Fortwise pairs the automation with a credentialed advisor who does.
Does Fortwise store our CUI?
No. The platform tracks only metadata, hashes, and links that prove an artifact exists and satisfies a control. Your Controlled Unclassified Information stays inside your environment.
Are you affiliated with a C3PAO?
Fortwise is independent of every C3PAO. Our only stake is your readiness, so the entire program is engineered around passing the assessment — with no auditor conflict of interest.
Talk it through with an advisor
Book a 30-minute readiness call. We'll look at your environment and tell you honestly which approach fits — no high-pressure sales.
- Confirm which CMMC level your contracts actually require
- Pinpoint the gaps most likely to fail your assessment
- Leave with a clear, prioritized path to certification
One-on-one with a CMMC advisor · No obligation · We never store your CUI
