---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.2.3 (AT.L2-3.2.3): Insider Threat"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.2.3 Insider Threat: 1 SPRS point, allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/awareness-and-training/3.2.3
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/awareness-and-training/3.2.3
records: 7
digest: sha3:e894c4c6209c94573344c06a95ca1d4248446372278a41e6ec3b64f78fff6c1c
---

# NIST 800-171 3.2.3 (AT.L2-3.2.3): Insider Threat

NIST 800-171 / Awareness and Training / 3.2.3

"Provide security awareness training on recognizing and reporting potential indicators of insider threat." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.2.3](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice AT.L2-3.2.3.

## What 3.2.3 means in practice

Training covers how to spot and report signs that a colleague may be a risk, such as attempts to reach information outside their job, unexplained wealth or serious policy violations. Managers and employees both receive it, and both know where to report a concern.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: AT.L2-3.2.3
- **SPRS points**: 1 point. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 1 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Allowed. It is worth 1 point, and 32 CFR 170.21(a)(2)(ii) admits requirements worth 1 point. Conditional status also needs a score of at least 88, and the item must be closed within 180 days.

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 3.2.3

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.2.3, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.2.3[a] potential indicators associated with insider threats are identified.
- 3.2.3[b] security awareness training on recognizing and reporting potential indicators of insider threat is provided to managers and employees.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.2.3](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.2.3 is met

- Insider threat training content listing the indicators it covers.
- Completion records for managers and employees.
- The reporting channel and the procedure for insider threat concerns.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.2.3. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.2.3 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-AT)
- **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 3 Awareness and Training requirements (3.2).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/awareness-and-training)
- **Previous**: [3.2.2: Role-Based Training](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/awareness-and-training/3.2.2)
- **Next**: [3.3.1: System Audit Logs](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/audit-and-accountability/3.3.1)
- **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 | e9ca0281278b | ebb3e1ec28da |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | ef8dd6299483 | e9ca0281278b |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 1a3a8a080974 | ef8dd6299483 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | d79c65e05068 | 1a3a8a080974 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | c0f3cfbbc4ff | d79c65e05068 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 4f0ab7cab10b | c0f3cfbbc4ff |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | e894c4c6209c | 4f0ab7cab10b |

Head sha3:e894c4c6209c94573344c06a95ca1d4248446372278a41e6ec3b64f78fff6c1c. 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.