ISACA has assumed responsibility for CMMC assessor training and credentialing assessors under the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification 2.0 program. The organization now serves as the Cybersecurity Assessor and Instructor Certification Organization, known as CAICO, and will oversee education, examinations, and certification for professionals involved in CMMC assessments.
The move places ISACA at the center of efforts to expand the pool of qualified third party assessors as demand for CMMC assessor training validation continues to rise. The organization confirmed it officially stepped into the role this week and will complete its transition over the coming months, with full operational capacity expected by April 2026.
CMMC 2.0 is a tiered cybersecurity framework designed to ensure organizations handling sensitive defense related information apply appropriate security controls. As implementation advances, the availability of trained and certified assessors has become a key operational focus.
Expanding the assessor training pipeline
As CAICO, ISACA will manage training programs and certification pathways for several roles. These include CMMC certified professionals, CMMC certified assessors, and CMMC assessor training certified instructors. Each role supports different aspects of evaluating cybersecurity practices within organizations that require formal CMMC validation.
ISACA plans to use its existing experience in global cybersecurity credentialing to scale these programs. The organization already manages widely recognized certifications and training frameworks across multiple regions and industries. This background is expected to support faster growth in assessor capacity without compromising consistency or quality.
The transition also involves building out supporting systems. ISACA will develop and deploy IT infrastructure to handle training delivery, testing, credential issuance, and ongoing program management. According to company leaders, these systems are designed to support a significant increase in candidate volume over the next year.
Meeting rising demand for CMMC assessments
Under the current CMMC rollout, many organizations are still allowed to rely on self assessments. That changes in November 2026, when companies handling more sensitive data at CMMC assessor training Level 2 will be required to undergo validation by certified third party assessor organizations, known as C3PAOs.
Estimates suggest that more than 100,000 organizations will eventually need Level 2 certification. This has raised concerns about whether enough trained assessors will be available to meet demand within required timelines. Industry observers have noted that the existing assessor workforce is not yet large enough to support the scale of upcoming assessments.
ISACA’s role is intended to address this gap. By centralizing training and credentialing under an established cybersecurity organization, the program aims to accelerate the preparation of qualified professionals. This includes both individual assessors and instructors who can help train additional candidates.
The organization has stated that scaling assessor numbers is a core priority. Over the next several months, it will focus on expanding course offerings, onboarding partners, and refining certification processes to support sustained growth.
Transition from previous oversight structure
Before ISACA assumed the CAICO role, the responsibilities were held by Cyber AB, the official CMMC accreditation body. Cyber AB continues to oversee accreditation and ecosystem governance for the program, while ISACA now handles training and individual credentialing.
This separation of responsibilities reflects the growing size and complexity of the CMMC ecosystem. As assessment requirements expand, maintaining clear roles between accreditation, training, and certification has become more important for operational efficiency.
ISACA leaders have emphasized that their role complements existing structures rather than replacing them. The organization will work alongside accreditation bodies and assessor organizations to ensure a steady pipeline of trained professionals.
Strengthening cybersecurity assessment capacity
The appointment of ISACA as CAICO highlights a broader shift toward formalized cybersecurity assurance at scale. As CMMC requirements move from planning into enforcement phases, consistent assessor training becomes critical to maintaining trust in the certification process.
For the cybersecurity community, the development signals increased professionalization of CMMC assessment roles. Standardized training, clear certification paths, and scalable infrastructure are expected to support more predictable and reliable assessments.
ISACA’s expanded role is positioned to support that outcome by focusing on capacity building, program consistency, and long term workforce development within the CMMC assessor training framework.
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