GRS Technology Solutions is a Managed Service Provider (MSP) & Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) based in the Washington, DC area, serving businesses in highly regulated industries. Since 2014, GRS has specialized in delivering IT, cybersecurity, and compliance solutions aligned with frameworks such as CMMC 2.0, NIST 800-171, HIPAA, and SOC 2.
GRS chose A-LIGN as their CMMC Certified Third Party Assessor Organization (C3PAO) to achieve CMMC Level 2 certification, becoming one of the first organizations to reach this milestone.
Why CMMC
GRS believes the best way to guide clients to compliance is by holding itself to the same standards. Pursuing CMMC Level 2 certification is part of a broader commitment to excellence — an effort to align its internal practices with the same rigorous controls, processes, and accountability it champions for its clients.
GRS has maintained SOC 2 Type 2 compliance for the past four years while helping clients navigate both SOC 2 and CMMC requirements. Pursuing its own CMMC certification was a logical extension of that work — reinforcing its commitment to security and applying the same disciplined approach it uses to support its clients.
“Waiting to get certified can be an expensive decision. Achieving CMMC Level 2 takes time, planning, and resources to implement – and the clock is ticking. CMMC is nearing official status, and requirements could soon appear in defense contracts, making preparation more urgent than ever.”
-Larry Burbano, CEO
As an organization serving the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), GRS recognized that waiting too long to begin the certification process could jeopardize its ability to win or renew DoD contracts. Even with a mature security program already in place, GRS found that preparing for CMMC required significant time, focus, and coordination across teams.
Why A-LIGN
For GRS, it wasn’t just about finding an assessor — it was about partnering with a team that understood both the technical rigor and business impact of CMMC.
The GRS team prides themselves on blending technical expertise with deep regulatory knowledge, helping clients safeguard sensitive data, maintain operational resilience, and achieve their compliance objectives. Because of this, they sought an assessor with the same goals in mind.
“We considered other C3PAOs during our selection process, but we ultimately chose to work with A-LIGN because of their strong reputation, deep experience in compliance frameworks, and proven track record within the federal space.”
-Rony Gonzalez, CISO
GRS has been working with A-LIGN for the past four years on its own SOC 2 audits and for its clients, and has come to value their process, professionalism, and consistency. A-LIGN’s structured approach makes complex audits more manageable, and their responsiveness gives GRS confidence at every step.
Their long-standing relationship made A-LIGN the clear choice for CMMC, reinforcing GRS’s belief that choosing the right C3PAO is just as important as preparing for the certification itself.
Results
GRS had an excellent experience working with A-LIGN, not only due to their ongoing partnership across annual audits which built familiarity with A-LIGN’s structured process and consistent approach, but for their deep expertise in the newly minted framework.
Although CMMC is a relatively new framework, A-LIGN delivered the same professionalism, clarity, and transparency that GRS had come to expect from previous engagements.
“What stood out the most was how clearly A-LIGN set expectations during our initial CMMC engagement. Their upfront guidance eliminated surprises and made the entire process smoother and faster than we anticipated.”
-Larry Burbano, CEO
GRS also appreciated that A-LIGN’s team was responsive, collaborative, and genuinely invested in GRS’s success, which reinforced GRS’s confidence in choosing A-LIGN as their C3PAO for this impactful achievement.
With CMMC certification, GRS expects to see enhanced trust from existing clients, greater credibility when partnering with new organizations in the DIB, and continued differentiation as a partner that lives by the same standards it guides clients through.
Internally, the certification reinforces GRS’s culture of excellence and accountability. Externally, it gives clients confidence that GRS practices the same controls it recommends and implements for them. Ultimately, CMMC certification allows GRS to lead by example, expand its impact, and continue driving compliance success not just for itself, but for every client it serves.
Looking forward
For GRS, CMMC certification is not a checkbox. It’s a daily discipline embedded into operations, policies, and culture, ensuring that clients have a partner who truly understands the journey — because GRS has taken it itself.
Now that GRS has achieved CMMC Level 2 certification, its focus is on leveraging this milestone to strengthen both the business and its clients’ compliance journeys. For GRS, certification is not the finish line — it’s a foundation for continual improvement.
Advice for other Organizations Seeking Certification (OSCs)
GRS advises fellow OSCs to look for a partner with a proven track record of working within the Defense Industrial Base or federal sector. Having been through the process firsthand, GRS found that the difference came from working with a C3PAO that was organized, professional, and thorough in their approach. A-LIGN took the time to fully understand GRS’s detailed Customer Responsibility Matrix (CRM), scope, System Security Plan, and technology, which made the entire engagement far more effective.
“The most important advice we can give is to treat the selection of a C3PAO as a strategic decision, not just a checkbox requirement. A-LIGN played a critical role in our certification journey, so it’s essential to choose a C3PAO with a strong reputation, that understands your scope and your technology, and has a structured process that sets clear expectations from the start.”
-Larry Burbano, CEO
GRS underscores that selecting the right C3PAO — one that blends fairness, professionalism, and contextual insight — is key to transforming CMMC certification from a stressful obligation into a streamlined, confident success.
About GRS Technology Solutions
GRS Technology Solutions is a premier Managed Service Provider (MSP) and Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) based in the Washington, DC area. We deliver comprehensive IT support, advanced cybersecurity, and compliance solutions tailored to small- and medium-sized businesses in highly regulated industries. With extensive experience in the Defense Industrial Base, our team provides fully managed IT services, FedRAMP-authorized security solutions, and end-to-end CMMC implementation support.
Whether organizations are preparing for CMMC L1/L2, undergoing a DIBCAC audit, navigating DFARS and NIST 800-171 requirements, or modernizing legacy environments, GRS Technology Solutions stands as a trusted partner dedicated to safeguarding its clients’ missions, data, and future.