What this requirement asks
Protect (i.e., physically control and securely store) system media containing CUI, both paper and digital.
This is a CMMC Level 2 requirement in the Media 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 (4)
- 3.8.1[a] — paper media containing CUI is physically controlled
- 3.8.1[b] — digital media containing CUI is physically controlled
- 3.8.1[c] — paper media containing CUI is securely stored
- 3.8.1[d] — digital media containing CUI is securely stored
What an assessor examines
Examine:
- System media protection policy
- procedures addressing media storage
- procedures addressing media access restrictions
- access control policy and procedures
- physical and environmental protection policy and procedures
- system security plan
- media storage facilities
- access control records
- other relevant documents or records
Interview:
- Personnel with system media protection responsibilities
- personnel with information security responsibilities
- system or network administrators
Test:
- Organizational processes for restricting information media
- mechanisms supporting or implementing media access restrictions
Evidence that defends it
Define handling and storage rules
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.