What this requirement asks
Limit system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, and devices (including other systems).
This is a CMMC Level 2 requirement in the Access Control family, drawn from NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2. An assessor evaluates it objective by objective — every objective below must be supported by evidence, not just described in a policy.
Assessment objectives (6)
- 3.1.1[a] — authorized users are identified
- 3.1.1[b] — processes acting on behalf of authorized users are identified
- 3.1.1[c] — devices (and other systems) authorized to connect to the system are identified
- 3.1.1[d] — system access is limited to authorized users
- 3.1.1[e] — system access is limited to processes acting on behalf of authorized users
- 3.1.1[f] — system access is limited to authorized devices (including other systems)
What an assessor examines
Examine:
- Access control policy
- procedures addressing account management
- system security plan
- system design documentation
- system configuration settings and associated documentation
- list of active system accounts and the name of the individual associated with each account
- notifications or records of recently transferred, separated, or terminated employees
- list of conditions for group and role membership
- list of recently disabled system accounts along with the name of the individual associated with each account
- access authorization records
- account management compliance reviews
- system monitoring records
- system audit logs and records
- list of devices and systems authorized to connect to organizational systems
- other relevant documents or records
Interview:
- Personnel with account management responsibilities
- system or network administrators
- personnel with information security responsibilities
Test:
- Organizational processes for managing system accounts
- mechanisms for implementing account management
Evidence that defends it
Map approved users/devices in SSP; validate via AD/device lists; confirm via logs
Check your readiness
Score this requirement against your own environment with the Level 2 self-assessment checklist, or estimate your SPRS score with the free CMMC compliance tool. Self-reported answers are planning signals only — they do not establish a verified or assessor-accepted result.