NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 · 3.3 Audit & Accountability

3.3.7 Synchronized system clocks

Provide a system capability that compares and synchronizes internal system clocks with an authoritative source to generate time stamps for audit records.

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

3

From NIST SP 800-171A, each one a “determine if” an assessor answers.

What an assessor checks

NIST SP 800-171A breaks 3.3.7 into 3 objectives. Every one has to be met for the requirement to be met; a partial answer scores as not implemented.

1. [a]Determine if internal system clocks are used to generate time stamps for audit records.
2. [b]Determine if an authoritative source with which to compare and synchronize internal system clocks is specified.
3. [c]Determine if internal system clocks used to generate time stamps for audit records are compared to and synchronized with the specified authoritative time source.

Examine

[SELECT FROM: Audit and accountability policy; procedures addressing time stamp generation; system design documentation; security plan; 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 or network administrators; system developers].

Test

[SELECT FROM: Mechanisms implementing time stamp generation].

If it is open: POA&M eligibility

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 3.3.7 maps

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 3.3.7
get_assessment_objectives 3.3.7
generate_poam_entries ["3.3.7"]

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