What this requirement asks
Sanitize or destroy system media containing CUI before disposal or release for reuse.
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 (2)
- 3.8.3[a] — system media containing CUI is sanitized or destroyed before disposal
- 3.8.3[b] — system media containing CUI is sanitized before it is released for reuse
What an assessor examines
Examine:
- System media protection policy
- procedures addressing media sanitization and disposal
- applicable standards and policies addressing media sanitization
- system 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:
- Personnel with media sanitization responsibilities
- personnel with information security responsibilities
- system or network administrators
Test:
- Organizational processes for media sanitization
- mechanisms supporting or implementing media sanitization
Evidence that defends it
Sanitization records
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.