13 Jul 2026CMMC Phase II suspended: no C3PAO assessments can be designated. DFARS 7012 and Rev 2 still apply.What changed, and what did not

NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 · 3.1 Access Control

3.1.7 Prevent and log privileged functions

Prevent non-privileged users from executing privileged functions and capture the execution of such functions in audit logs.
SPRS weight
1
1 point deducted from 110 when not implemented.
CMMC level
L2
Level 2 only; not among the 17 Level 1 practices.
Assessment objectives
4
From NIST SP 800-171A, each one a “determine if” an assessor answers.

What an assessor checks

NIST SP 800-171A breaks 3.1.7 into 4 objectives. Every one has to be met for the requirement to be met; a partial answer scores as not implemented.

  1. [a]Determine if privileged functions are defined.
  2. [b]Determine if non-privileged users are defined.
  3. [c]Determine if non-privileged users are prevented from executing privileged functions.
  4. [d]Determine if the execution of privileged functions is captured in audit logs.
Examine
[SELECT FROM: Access control policy; procedures addressing least privilege; security plan; system design documentation; list of privileged functions and associated user account assignments; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit logs and records; other relevant documents or records].
Interview
[SELECT FROM: Personnel with responsibilities for defining least privileges necessary to accomplish specified tasks; personnel with information security responsibilities; system developers].
Test
[SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing least privilege functions for non-privileged users; mechanisms auditing the execution of privileged functions].

If it is open: POA&M eligibility

May be carried on a Level 2 POA&M · 1 point deducted

A 1-point requirement outside the six named exclusions - eligible to carry, and NOT MET until a closeout assessment confirms it.

A POA&M is only permitted at a score of 88 or above, and closes in one 180-day window. Check a full gap list or compute your score.

Where 3.1.7 maps

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

No direct mapping.

NIST CSF 2.0

  • Access is managed

SOC 2

No direct mapping.

Query it from your own tools

This page and the MacTech CMMC MCP server render the same dataset. Ask your assistant and it will answer from the methodology, not from memory.

lookup_control 3.1.7
get_assessment_objectives 3.1.7
generate_poam_entries ["3.1.7"]

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From MacZine

Working notes on Access Control

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