NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 · 3.1 Access Control
3.1.8 Limit unsuccessful logon attempts
Limit unsuccessful logon attempts.
- 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
- 2
- From NIST SP 800-171A, each one a “determine if” an assessor answers.
What an assessor checks
NIST SP 800-171A breaks 3.1.8 into 2 objectives. Every one has to be met for the requirement to be met; a partial answer scores as not implemented.
- [a]Determine if the means of limiting unsuccessful logon attempts is defined.
- [b]Determine if the defined means of limiting unsuccessful logon attempts is implemented.
- Examine
- [SELECT FROM: Access control policy; procedures addressing unsuccessful logon attempts; security plan; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; system audit logs and records; other relevant documents or records].
- Interview
- [SELECT FROM: Personnel with information security responsibilities; system developers; system or network administrators].
- Test
- [SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing access control policy for unsuccessful logon attempts].
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 3.1.8 maps
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
- AC-7 Unsuccessful Logon Attempts
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 3.1.8 get_assessment_objectives 3.1.8 generate_poam_entries ["3.1.8"]
Install the MCP server, free, no account.
From MacZine