Short answer: A CMMC enclave typically costs $150–$300 per user per month, plus setup and migration costs. The final cost depends on user count, CUI scope, GCC High licensing, endpoint requirements, evidence needs, and whether the contractor uses an AVD-only, local-CUI, or mixed operating model.

For many small defense contractors, a CMMC enclave is less expensive than securing the full business environment for CMMC Level 2. The reason is simple: if Controlled Unclassified Information, or CUI, can be isolated into a smaller controlled environment, fewer users, devices, systems, and workflows need full CMMC treatment.

But an enclave only reduces cost when the scope is designed correctly. If CUI still moves through regular email, local desktops, unmanaged file shares, or personal devices, the broader environment may remain in scope.

This guide explains what a CMMC enclave usually costs, what changes the price, what is included, what is not included, and when it makes sense to schedule a consultation.

Need help estimating your real cost? Schedule a CMMC Enclave Consultation or start with a Compliance Readiness Baseline

How Much Does a CMMC Enclave Cost?

Most CMMC enclave estimates start around $150–$300 per user per month.

That monthly range usually covers the managed environment, security controls, monitoring, support, and compliance-aligned configuration needed to operate the enclave. It does not always include one-time setup, migration, licensing, assessment fees, or cleanup of existing CUI sprawl.

A simple starting formula is:

Users who need CUI access × $150–$300/month + licenses + setup, migration, and documentation support

For example:

– 5 users: about $750–$1,500/month
– 10 users: about $1,500–$3,000/month
– 25 users: about $3,750–$7,500/month
– 50 users: about $7,500–$15,000/month

These are planning ranges, not final quotes. A 10-user contractor with clean workflows may be simple to scope. A 10-user contractor with CUI spread across email, file shares, engineering tools, and local desktops may require much more work.

The biggest question is not just “How many employees do you have?”

The better question is:

How many users, systems, devices, and applications need to process, store, or transmit CUI?

That is what drives CMMC enclave cost.

CMMC Enclave Cost Examples by Company Size

The table below gives a practical starting point based on the common $150–$300 per user/month pricing model.

Enclave Users	Estimated Monthly Range	Likely Setup Complexity	Best-Fit Enclave Model	When to Schedule a Consultation
5 users	$750–$1,500/month	Low to moderate, but minimum setup effort still applies	AVD-only or tightly controlled GCC High enclave	If only a few users handle CUI or you are unsure whether an enclave is worth the minimum setup cost
10 users	$1,500–$3,000/month	Moderate	AVD-only or GCC High document/email enclave	If CUI is limited to a small contract team, engineering group, or FSO-led workflow
25 users	$3,750–$7,500/month	Moderate to high	Mixed enclave with GCC High, endpoint controls, and defined CUI workflows	If multiple departments touch CUI or you need clearer scope before assessment prep
50 users	$7,500–$15,000/month	High	Mixed enclave or broader controlled environment	If CUI handling is spread across teams, locations, devices, or legacy systems

The smaller the CUI footprint, the more likely an enclave will reduce total compliance cost.

If CUI already touches most users, systems, file shares, email accounts, and endpoints, the cost advantage may shrink. In that case, a broader CMMC readiness strategy may be more realistic than trying to force everything into a small enclave.

What Is Included in CMMC Enclave Pricing?

A CMMC enclave is not just a software subscription. It is a controlled operating environment designed to help defense contractors manage CUI, reduce scope, and support CMMC Level 2 readiness.

Most CMMC enclave pricing includes some combination of the following.

1. CUI Scoping and Enclave Design

The first step is defining where CUI lives and who needs access to it.

This usually includes:

• identifying users who need CUI access,
• identifying systems that store, process, or transmit CUI,
• reviewing email, file storage, and collaboration workflows,
• documenting the proposed enclave boundary,
• deciding what stays inside the enclave,
• deciding what should remain out of scope.

This matters because CMMC cost is mostly a scoping question. If the scope is too broad, the contractor may spend too much. If the scope is too narrow or unrealistic, the enclave may not stand up to assessment expectations.

For more detail on this, see our guide to CMMC enclave boundary and scope.

2. GCC High or Compliant Cloud Configuration

Many defense contractors use Microsoft 365 to handle documents, email, and collaboration. If Microsoft 365 is used for CUI, GCC High often becomes part of the cost discussion.

GCC High may be needed when a contractor uses Microsoft cloud services to support DoD CUI, DFARS, ITAR, or related controlled information requirements.

The important point is this:

GCC High licensing is only one part of the cost. The environment still needs to be configured, controlled, monitored, documented, and used correctly.

A contractor can buy the wrong licenses, configure them poorly, and still have a scope and evidence problem.

For more detail, see GCC High for CMMC enclaves.

3. Identity and Access Controls

A CMMC enclave needs strong control over who can access CUI.

This usually includes:

• user account setup,
• role-based access,
• multi-factor authentication,
• conditional access policies,
• privileged access controls,
• account review processes,
• onboarding and offboarding workflows.

This is one reason user count affects cost. More users means more identities to manage, more permissions to review, and more evidence to maintain.

4. Endpoint Security and Device Controls

The cost also depends on whether users can access CUI from local devices.

If local desktops, laptops, or mobile devices store or process CUI, those endpoints may need stronger controls. That can include:

• device management,
• endpoint detection and response,
• encryption,
• patch management,
• local storage restrictions,
• USB/media controls,
• configuration monitoring,
• evidence collection.

If the contractor wants to reduce endpoint scope, a virtual desktop model may be a better fit.

5. Azure Virtual Desktop or VDI Access

Some CMMC enclaves use Azure Virtual Desktop, or another virtual desktop model, to keep CUI inside a controlled environment.

In this model, users access CUI through a remote desktop session instead of storing files on their local computer. When configured correctly, the local device only sends keyboard, video, and mouse input to the virtual desktop.

That can help reduce scope because CUI stays inside the controlled enclave instead of spreading across local endpoints.

This does not happen automatically. The virtual desktop must be configured to prevent CUI from being copied, downloaded, printed, synced, or stored outside the enclave.

For more detail, see CMMC enclave operating models.

6. Monitoring and Maintenance

A CMMC enclave must be maintained over time.

Monthly costs often include:

• security monitoring,
• alert review,
• patching,
• configuration management,
• user support,
• access reviews,
• log review,
• backup checks,
• compliance support.

This is where many contractors underestimate cost. Building an enclave is only part of the job. Keeping it controlled and evidence-ready is ongoing work.

7. Documentation and Evidence Support

CMMC readiness is not only about technology. The contractor also needs documentation and evidence.

A managed enclave may include support for:

• asset inventory,
• network diagrams,
• system descriptions,
• access control evidence,
• configuration evidence,
• policy and procedure support,
• System Security Plan inputs,
• shared responsibility documentation,
• evidence collection workflows.

This is important because CMMC Level 2 assessment work depends on more than saying a control exists. The organization must be able to show how the environment is scoped, secured, operated, and maintained.

What Affects CMMC Enclave Cost the Most?

The monthly price is usually not the hard part to estimate. The harder part is understanding what has to be included.

These are the biggest cost drivers.

Number of Users Who Need CUI Access

More users increase cost because each user may require:

• licensing,
• account setup,
• access controls,
• endpoint controls,
• support,
• training,
• monitoring,
• evidence.

A 5-user enclave is usually easier to control than a 50-user enclave.

But user count alone is not enough. Five users with complex engineering systems may be harder than 15 users who only need controlled document access.

Where CUI Lives Today

Before designing an enclave, the contractor needs to understand where CUI is currently located.

CUI may already exist in:

• email inboxes,
• SharePoint or OneDrive,
• local desktops,
• network file shares,
• engineering applications,
• manufacturing systems,
• PDFs and drawings,
• accounting or contract files,
• backup systems,
• personal devices,
• unmanaged cloud apps.

If CUI is spread across the company, the project may require cleanup before the enclave can reduce scope.

Whether CUI Can Stay Inside the Enclave

An enclave saves money only if users can keep CUI inside it.

The cost goes up when users need to:

• download CUI locally,
• email CUI outside the controlled environment,
• print CUI,
• use CUI in local applications,
• sync CUI to unmanaged devices,
• share CUI with subcontractors,
• access CUI from multiple locations.

If the business cannot control where CUI goes, the enclave may not reduce scope as much as expected.

GCC High Licensing and Migration

GCC High can be a major part of the cost when Microsoft 365 is used for CUI.

Costs may include:

• licensing,
• tenant setup,
• mailbox migration,
• SharePoint/OneDrive migration,
• security configuration,
• user onboarding,
• data cleanup,
• retention and access policies,
• documentation.

The migration effort depends on how the organization uses Microsoft 365 today.

A company with clean file structures and limited CUI may move faster. A company with years of mixed commercial email, uncontrolled file sharing, and unclear data ownership may require more planning.

AVD-Only, Local-CUI, or Mixed Operating Model

The enclave model has a major impact on cost.

Enclave Model	Best For	Cost Profile	Main Risk
AVD-only enclave	Users access CUI through a controlled virtual desktop	Often lower scope and easier endpoint control	Must prevent CUI from moving to local devices
GCC High document/email enclave	CUI mainly lives in Microsoft 365	Moderate	Licensing and migration can add cost
Local-CUI enclave	CUI must be used on managed endpoints or local systems	Higher	More devices and applications may be in scope
Mixed enclave	Some CUI is cloud-based, some is local, and some is accessed through AVD	Moderate to high	Requires careful documentation and boundaries
Full environment hardening	CUI touches most users and systems	Highest	More expensive and disruptive, but sometimes necessary

Most small contractors want the lowest practical scope. That is understandable.

But the right model depends on how CUI is actually used.

Existing IT Cleanliness

CMMC enclave setup costs increase when the current environment is messy.

Common issues include:

• no asset inventory,
• no network diagram,
• inconsistent user permissions,
• shared accounts,
• old devices,
• unmanaged laptops,
• unclear file ownership,
• weak MFA adoption,
• legacy systems,
• unknown cloud apps,
• no documentation.

A contractor preparing for CMMC Level 2 may need more than a technical enclave.

If these issues exist, the project may need discovery and cleanup before the enclave can be properly scoped.

Evidence and Assessment Readiness

They may also need:

• SSP support,
• policies and procedures,
• evidence collection,
• SPRS score improvement,
• gap remediation,
• C3PAO readiness support,
• user training,
• incident response process documentation,
• vendor responsibility documentation.

This can change the total cost significantly.

If the contractor already has strong documentation and evidence, the enclave project may be more straightforward. If they are starting from scratch, the cost will be higher.

CMMC Enclave vs Full Environment Cost

A CMMC enclave is usually less expensive when CUI is limited to a defined group of users and workflows.

A full-environment approach may make more sense when CUI touches most of the business.

Approach	Best For	Cost Pattern	Risk
CMMC enclave	Limited CUI users and workflows	Lower scope, more predictable monthly cost	Fails if users move CUI outside the enclave
Full environment hardening	CUI touches most systems and users	Higher upfront and ongoing cost	More complete, but more disruptive
Hybrid model	Some CUI can be isolated, but some local systems remain	Moderate to high	Requires strong documentation and boundary control

The best choice depends on the current CUI footprint.

If only a few people handle CUI, an enclave may be the faster and more affordable path.

If nearly everyone touches CUI, the company may need a broader CMMC readiness plan.

When a CMMC Enclave Makes Financial Sense

A CMMC enclave usually makes sense when:

only a subset of users handle CUI,
CUI can be kept inside a controlled workspace,
the current IT environment is too broad or messy to bring fully into scope,
the company wants predictable monthly costs,
the company needs a faster path toward CMMC readiness,
users can adapt to controlled CUI workflows,
the company wants to reduce the number of endpoints in scope.

A CMMC enclave may not be the best fit when:

CUI touches nearly every employee,
CUI is spread across local desktops and file shares,
users cannot change how they handle CUI,
engineering or manufacturing systems must process CUI locally,
subcontractor workflows are not controlled,
the company needs full-environment compliance anyway.

If you are unsure which situation applies, start by reviewing Do I Need a CMMC Enclave?.

What Is Not Included in a Basic CMMC Enclave Estimate?

This is where many contractors get surprised.

A monthly enclave price may not include every cost related to CMMC readiness.

Usually Included	May Not Be Included
Enclave design	C3PAO assessment fees
User setup	Legal or contract review
GCC High configuration	Hardware replacement
Access controls	Legacy system modernization
Endpoint policies	Historical CUI cleanup
Monitoring	Full company-wide remediation
Basic documentation support	Penetration testing unless scoped separately
Migration support	Full SSP and policy buildout unless included
Ongoing support	Customer-specific contract requirements

This does not mean those items are unimportant. It means they should be scoped separately.

A good estimate should clearly explain what is included, what is optional, and what may require a separate project.

Example: 20-User Defense Contractor

Consider a 20-user defense contractor preparing for CMMC Level 2.

The company has:

• 20 total employees,
• 8 users who need access to CUI,
• CUI mostly in email and document storage,
• no dedicated compliance department,
• limited internal IT capacity,
• a need for predictable monthly cost.

Instead of securing every user, device, file share, and workflow to the same level, the company creates a CMMC enclave for the 8 CUI users.

The enclave includes:

• controlled user access,
• GCC High configuration,
• restricted CUI storage,
• endpoint controls,
• monitoring,
• documentation support,
• evidence collection support.

The result is a smaller compliance boundary.

The company still needs policies, procedures, evidence, and user discipline. But the project is more manageable because CUI is no longer treated as if it belongs everywhere.

That is the main value of an enclave: it creates a practical boundary.

How to Estimate Your CMMC Enclave Cost

To estimate your CMMC enclave cost, start with these questions.

1. How many users need CUI access?

Do not count every employee unless every employee needs CUI.

Count the users who actually need to access, edit, store, send, receive, or manage CUI.

2. Where does CUI live today?

Identify whether CUI is in:

• email,
• SharePoint,
• OneDrive,
• Teams,
• local computers,
• network drives,
• engineering tools,
• manufacturing systems,
• cloud applications,
• paper records,
• backups.

The more places CUI lives, the more complex the project becomes.

3. Can CUI be isolated?

Ask whether users can realistically keep CUI inside the enclave.

If yes, an enclave may reduce scope.

If no, the organization may need a broader compliance plan.

4. Will users need AVD or local access?

If users can work through a virtual desktop, the endpoint scope may be easier to manage.

If users must use local applications or store CUI locally, the cost may increase because more endpoints and systems need controls.

5. Is GCC High part of the plan?

If Microsoft 365 will be used for CUI, GCC High may be part of the solution.

The estimate should clarify whether GCC High licensing, setup, and migration are included or separate.

6. What documentation already exists?

If the company already has an asset inventory, SSP, policies, procedures, network diagram, and evidence process, the project may move faster.

If those items do not exist, they need to be created or improved.

Get a Real CMMC Enclave Cost Estimate

If you are budgeting for CMMC Level 2, the first step is not buying licenses.

The first step is defining your CUI scope.

Office Heroes helps small defense contractors understand:

• whether a CMMC enclave makes sense,
• which users and systems belong in scope,
• whether GCC High is needed,
• which enclave model fits the business,
• what setup and migration may involve,
• what monthly cost range is realistic,
• what documentation and evidence gaps need to be addressed.

If you need a practical estimate, we can help you start with the right scope before you spend money in the wrong place.

Schedule a CMMC Enclave Consultation 
Request a CMMC Enclave Consultation

Not sure if an enclave is the right first step? Start with a readiness review.

Start with a Compliance Readiness Baseline 
Learn about the Compliance Readiness Baseline

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

• CMMC Enclave Services
• GCC High for CMMC Enclaves
• CMMC Enclave Boundary and Scope
• CMMC Enclave Operating Models
• Compliance Readiness Baseline
• Do I Need a CMMC Enclave?
• CMMC Enclave vs Full Environment