NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2 · 3.8 Media Protection

3.8.3 Media sanitization

Sanitize or destroy system media containing CUI before disposal or release for reuse.

SPRS weight

5

5 points deducted from 110 when not implemented.

CMMC level

L1 + L2

Level 1 practice MP.L1-3.8.3, from FAR 52.204-21(b)(1)(vii)

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 3.8.3 into 2 objectives. Every one has to be met for the requirement to be met; a partial answer scores as not implemented.

1. [a]Determine if system media containing CUI is sanitized or destroyed before disposal.
2. [b]Determine if system media containing CUI is sanitized before it is released for reuse.

Examine

[SELECT FROM: System media protection policy; procedures addressing media sanitization and disposal; applicable standards and policies addressing media sanitization; security plan; media sanitization records; system audit logs and records; system design documentation; system configuration settings and associated documentation; other relevant documents or records].

Interview

[SELECT FROM: Personnel with media sanitization responsibilities; personnel with information security responsibilities; system or network administrators].

Test

[SELECT FROM: Organizational processes for media sanitization; mechanisms supporting or implementing media sanitization].

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 3.8.3 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 3.8.3
get_assessment_objectives 3.8.3
generate_poam_entries ["3.8.3"]

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