The CMMC Accreditation Body (CMMC-AB) implements the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification first published by the U.S. Department of Defense in January, 2020. The CMMC AB provides certifications for C3PAOs, private Certified Third Party Assessment Organizations, who hire CMMC AB Certified assessors who, in turn are trained by CMMC AB Certified Instructors. The entire CMMC ecosystem is designed to provide assurance to the DOD of the cybersecurity posture of the Defense Supply Chain.