What this requirement asks
Control access to media containing CUI and maintain accountability for media during transport outside of controlled areas.
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)
- 3.8.5[a] — access to media containing CUI is controlled
- 3.8.5[b] — accountability for media containing CUI is maintained during transport outside of controlled areas
What an assessor examines
Examine:
- System media protection policy
- procedures addressing media storage
- physical and environmental protection policy and procedures
- access control policy and procedures
- system security plan
- system media
- designated controlled areas
- other relevant documents or records
Interview:
- Personnel with system media protection and storage responsibilities
- personnel with information security responsibilities
- system or network administrators
Test:
- Organizational processes for storing media
- mechanisms supporting or implementing media storage and media protection
Evidence that defends it
Shipping/chain-of-custody 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.