---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.1.17 (AC.L2-3.1.17): Wireless Protection"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.1.17 Wireless Protection: 5 SPRS points, not allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/access-control/3.1.17
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/access-control/3.1.17
records: 7
digest: sha3:c8f1741fecfc7b17c615382ebfb045e79f7e1a1ef9d4c17069f765c82421c188
---

# NIST 800-171 3.1.17 (AC.L2-3.1.17): Wireless Protection

NIST 800-171 / Access Control / 3.1.17

"Protect wireless access using authentication and encryption." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.1.17](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice AC.L2-3.1.17.

## What 3.1.17 means in practice

Approved wireless networks require authentication and use encryption, for example WPA2 or WPA3 Enterprise with individual credentials or certificates. An open network, or one shared password for everyone on the network that carries CUI, does not meet it.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: AC.L2-3.1.17
- **SPRS points**: 5 points. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 5 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Not allowed. It is worth 5 points, and 32 CFR 170.21(a)(2)(ii) admits only requirements worth 1 point, with one exception: 3.13.11 when encryption is used but not FIPS validated.
- **Scoring note**: If the system permits no wireless access, mark Met: Annex A subtracts nothing.

Sources: [NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Methodology, version 1.2.1 (June 24, 2020), Annex A](https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/cyber/docs/safeguarding/NIST-SP-800-171-Assessment-Methodology-Version-1.2.1-6.24.2020.pdf); [32 CFR 170.21, Plan of Action and Milestones requirements](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/section-170.21).

## What an assessor checks for 3.1.17

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.1.17, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.1.17[a] wireless access to the system is protected using authentication.
- 3.1.17[b] wireless access to the system is protected using encryption.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.1.17](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.1.17 is met

- Wireless controller or access point settings showing the security mode.
- The Wi-Fi profiles that device management pushes to devices.
- The authentication server configuration, such as RADIUS with certificates.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

PolicyCortex reads this evidence with the collectors below, read only, and grades 3.1.17 from it. Each line says what the product checks.

- **Microsoft Intune: Device configurations.** Reads the Wi-Fi profiles Intune provisions to devices and checks that each one requires authentication and encryption, not an open network or WEP.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.1.17 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-AC)
- **Sample package**: [Sample package: an SSP, a POA&M and an evidence chain the product generated from demonstration data.](https://policycortex.com/sample-package)
- **Family**: [All 22 Access Control requirements (3.1).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/access-control)
- **Previous**: [3.1.16: Wireless Authorization](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/access-control/3.1.16)
- **Next**: [3.1.18: Mobile Device Connection](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/access-control/3.1.18)
- **All requirements**: [All 110 NIST SP 800-171 requirements, by family.](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171)

Meet the requirement once. Keep the evidence current. [Request Access](https://app.policycortex.com/auth?mode=request-access) · [Book a call](https://policycortex.com/book)

## Register colophon

| Seq | Label | SHA3-256 | Prev |
|---|---|---|---|
| REC 0000 | REQUIREMENT | fd1fe829939c | 01e9747c7177 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 892d652e14c6 | fd1fe829939c |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | f39adb70baf7 | 892d652e14c6 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 5c91908ee3bd | f39adb70baf7 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 05c708ccc291 | 5c91908ee3bd |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 28f8adee2ce2 | 05c708ccc291 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | c8f1741fecfc | 28f8adee2ce2 |

Head sha3:c8f1741fecfc7b17c615382ebfb045e79f7e1a1ef9d4c17069f765c82421c188. Each digest is SHA3-256 over the previous digest, the register key, the record label, and the record copy; a second party can recompute it from this document.