---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.4.4 (CM.L2-3.4.4): Security Impact Analysis"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.4.4 Security Impact Analysis: 1 SPRS point, allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.4
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.4
records: 7
digest: sha3:77bd213c511cb9c767d36390c5601daa21cab25b9d05d2f9ed57c0796d0c5cea
---

# NIST 800-171 3.4.4 (CM.L2-3.4.4): Security Impact Analysis

NIST 800-171 / Configuration Management / 3.4.4

"Analyze the security impact of changes prior to implementation." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.4.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice CM.L2-3.4.4.

## What 3.4.4 means in practice

Before a change goes in, someone with security knowledge works out what it could break or expose and records the answer. The analysis can be brief for small changes, but it has to happen before implementation, not after.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: CM.L2-3.4.4
- **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 3.4.4

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.4.4.

- Determine if the security impact of changes to the system is analyzed prior to implementation.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.4.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.4.4 is met

- The procedure for security impact analysis.
- Change records with a completed security impact section dated before implementation.
- Results from a test environment for significant changes.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.4.4. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.4.4 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-CM)
- **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 9 Configuration Management requirements (3.4).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management)
- **Previous**: [3.4.3: Change Control](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.3)
- **Next**: [3.4.5: Change Access Limits](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.5)
- **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 | 79422914b389 | 28b13da4c958 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | f09cd3806d31 | 79422914b389 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 33484bbec3ae | f09cd3806d31 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 56dc3b4b85a2 | 33484bbec3ae |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 5e47590b34b3 | 56dc3b4b85a2 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 18223c341cef | 5e47590b34b3 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 77bd213c511c | 18223c341cef |

Head sha3:77bd213c511cb9c767d36390c5601daa21cab25b9d05d2f9ed57c0796d0c5cea. 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.