What this requirement asks
Use session lock with pattern-hiding displays to prevent access and viewing of data after a period of inactivity.
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 (3)
- 3.1.10[a] — the period of inactivity after which the system initiates a session lock is defined
- 3.1.10[b] — access to the system and viewing of data is prevented by initiating a session lock after the defined period of inactivity
- 3.1.10[c] — previously visible information is concealed via a pattern-hiding display after the defined period of inactivity
What an assessor examines
Examine:
- Access control policy
- procedures addressing session lock
- procedures addressing identification and authentication
- system design documentation
- system configuration settings and associated documentation
- system security plan
- other relevant documents or records
Interview:
- System or network administrators
- personnel with information security responsibilities
- system developers
Test:
- Mechanisms implementing access control policy for session lock
Evidence that defends it
Show idle lock timer and lock screen behavior
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.