---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.5.10 (IA.L2-3.5.10): Protected Passwords"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.5.10 Protected Passwords: 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/identification-and-authentication/3.5.10
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.10
records: 7
digest: sha3:9a68874d6d0108f7c26bc3514c6e9625eaa84951e41edbf294721bf16a0fd9f2
---

# NIST 800-171 3.5.10 (IA.L2-3.5.10): Protected Passwords

NIST 800-171 / Identification and Authentication / 3.5.10

"Store and transmit only cryptographically-protected passwords." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.5.10](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice IA.L2-3.5.10.

## What 3.5.10 means in practice

Passwords are never stored or sent in readable form. Stored passwords are salted one-way hashes and sign-ins travel over encrypted connections, so look out for legacy applications, scripts and configuration files that keep passwords in plain text.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: IA.L2-3.5.10
- **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.

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 3.5.10

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.5.10, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.5.10[a] passwords are cryptographically protected in storage.
- 3.5.10[b] passwords are cryptographically protected in transit.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.5.10](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.5.10 is met

- Password storage settings for the directory and for applications with their own logins.
- Configuration showing sign-in traffic is encrypted, such as TLS on login pages and LDAPS for directory connections.
- A scan or review for plain-text passwords in scripts and configuration files.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.5.10. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.5.10 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-IA)
- **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 11 Identification and Authentication requirements (3.5).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication)
- **Previous**: [3.5.9: Temporary Passwords](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.9)
- **Next**: [3.5.11: Obscured Feedback](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/identification-and-authentication/3.5.11)
- **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 | eedf42126622 | 27aeb900deeb |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 725eae319aa6 | eedf42126622 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 7d21d7c82815 | 725eae319aa6 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 8f5d85b64cc9 | 7d21d7c82815 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | cf0243fafe65 | 8f5d85b64cc9 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | d7900c223eb8 | cf0243fafe65 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 9a68874d6d01 | d7900c223eb8 |

Head sha3:9a68874d6d0108f7c26bc3514c6e9625eaa84951e41edbf294721bf16a0fd9f2. 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.