A Complete CMMC Enablement Framework for Research Institutions
To help research institutions quickly achieve compliance and unlock federal funding opportunities, Relevance Lab provides a pre-integrated platform and services framework designed specifically for higher education and research organizations.
The solution combines technology, compliance frameworks, operational processes, and expert services into a single offering.
The platform is built around seven key building blocks.
1. Secure Cloud Foundation with AWS Landing Zone Accelerator
The platform begins with a secure cloud architecture built on the Landing Zone Accelerator on AWS.
This provides a governed, multi-account AWS environment designed for regulated workloads.
Key capabilities include:
- Multi-account architecture for workload isolation
- Centralized logging and monitoring
- Identity and access governance
- Network segmentation and security boundaries
- Automated guardrails and policy enforcement
This foundation ensures that research environments operate within a secure compliance boundary aligned with federal cybersecurity requirements.
2. Universal Compliance Framework
Relevance Lab’s Universal Compliance Framework accelerates compliance implementation by mapping regulatory controls directly to cloud infrastructure and operational processes.
The framework includes pre-built control mappings for:
- Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
- NIST SP 800-171
The framework delivers:
- Policy-as-code security controls
- Compliant infrastructure templates
- Automated configuration guardrails
- Continuous compliance monitoring
This approach ensures research environments are secure and compliant by design, rather than retrofitted later.
3. Research Gateway Self-Service Portal
To make compliance invisible to researchers, Relevance Lab provides a Research Gateway Self-Service Portal.
The portal enables researchers to easily access secure environments without navigating complex IT processes.
Capabilities include:
- Research project creation
- Secure dataset access
- Compute and HPC environment provisioning
- Collaboration environment setup
- Automated approval workflows
Behind the scenes, the portal automatically applies compliance policies and records operational activity, ensuring continuous audit readiness.
4. CMMC Process Repository and Mandatory Documentation
One of the biggest challenges institutions face is producing the documentation required for certification assessments.
Relevance Lab provides a pre-built repository of CMMC process artifacts, including:
- System Security Plan (SSP)
- Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M)
- Security policies and procedures
- Operational runbooks
- Compliance evidence templates
This repository significantly reduces the time required to prepare for certification by providing audit-ready documentation aligned with federal standards.
5. Consulting Services from CMMC Audit Specialists
Technology alone is not enough to achieve certification.
Relevance Lab provides expert consulting support from experienced CMMC audit specialists who guide institutions through the compliance process.
Services include:
- Readiness assessments
- Gap analysis against CMMC Level 2 requirements
- Control implementation guidance
- Audit preparation and documentation support
- Certification readiness reviews
This ensures institutions are fully prepared before undergoing formal compliance assessments.
6. Managed Services for Continuous Compliance (Plan–Build–Run)
Maintaining compliance requires continuous operations, not just initial implementation.
Relevance Lab provides managed services that support the full lifecycle of compliance operations.
Plan
- Governance frameworks
- Compliance architecture design
- Security policy alignment
Build
- Secure cloud deployment
- Compliance control implementation
- Research environment provisioning
Run
- Monitoring and incident response
- Compliance evidence collection
- Periodic security assessments
- Continuous improvement of controls
This model ensures institutions maintain ongoing compliance rather than scrambling during audits.
7. A Bundled, Cost-Effective Path to Compliance
Unlike traditional consulting-led compliance initiatives that take months or years, Relevance Lab provides a bundled platform and services offering designed to accelerate outcomes.
The solution is delivered in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS).
Key advantages include:
- Rapid deployment using pre-built architectures
- Reduced compliance implementation costs
- Simplified operational management
- Faster readiness for certification
Most importantly, institutions gain a predictable and structured path to achieving CMMC and NIST 800-171 compliance, enabling them to focus on advancing research and innovation.
Enabling Secure Research and Federal Funding Opportunities
By combining secure cloud architecture, automated compliance frameworks, and expert advisory services, Relevance Lab enables research institutions to modernize their infrastructure while meeting stringent federal cybersecurity requirements.
The result is a frictionless compliance platform that unlocks access to federal research funding while empowering researchers with modern cloud capabilities.