---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.4.9 (CM.L2-3.4.9): User-Installed Software"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.4.9 User-Installed Software: 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/3.4.9
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.9
records: 7
digest: sha3:ceb10b4da6e06ffacdbbc798455a0f600345bc3d997ac038b0bb49cba9caa19a
---

# NIST 800-171 3.4.9 (CM.L2-3.4.9): User-Installed Software

NIST 800-171 / Configuration Management / 3.4.9

"Control and monitor user-installed software." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.4.9](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice CM.L2-3.4.9.

## What 3.4.9 means in practice

Decide whether users may install software and under what rules, enforce the decision (for example by removing local administrator rights or offering an approved software catalog), and watch for installations that break the rules. Updates and security patches from an approved catalog are the typical permitted installations; software of unknown or suspect origin is the typical prohibited one.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: CM.L2-3.4.9
- **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 3.4.9

NIST SP 800-171A gives 3 determination statements for 3.4.9, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.4.9[a] a policy for controlling the installation of software by users is established.
- 3.4.9[b] installation of software by users is controlled based on the established policy.
- 3.4.9[c] installation of software by users is monitored.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.4.9](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.4.9 is met

- The policy on software installation by users.
- Configuration that prevents unapproved installations, such as the absence of local administrator rights.
- Software inventory reports or alerts that reveal software users installed.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.4.9. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.4.9 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**: [3.4.8: Application Execution](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/configuration-management/3.4.8)
- **Next**: [3.5.1: Identification](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.1)
- **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 | 861114d86193 | 1d0df070eecf |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | c41d7555d71c | 861114d86193 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 0de9061c4c80 | c41d7555d71c |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 062f3ea76b67 | 0de9061c4c80 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | b16ea0439feb | 062f3ea76b67 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | a404b58705c9 | b16ea0439feb |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | ceb10b4da6e0 | a404b58705c9 |

Head sha3:ceb10b4da6e06ffacdbbc798455a0f600345bc3d997ac038b0bb49cba9caa19a. 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.