What this requirement asks
Employ FIPS-validated cryptography when used to protect the confidentiality of CUI.
This is a CMMC Level 2 requirement in the System & Communications Protection 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 (1)
- 3.13.11[a] — FIPS-validated cryptography is employed to protect the confidentiality of CUI
What an assessor examines
Examine:
- System and communications protection policy
- procedures addressing cryptographic protection
- system security plan
- system design documentation
- system configuration settings and associated documentation
- cryptographic module validation certificates
- list of FIPS-validated cryptographic modules
- system audit logs and records
- any other relevant documents or records
Interview:
- System or network administrators
- personnel with information security responsibilities
- system developers
- personnel with responsibilities for cryptographic protection
Test:
- Mechanisms supporting or implementing cryptographic protection
Evidence that defends it
Show crypto modules and mode settings
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.