---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.7.4 (MA.L2-3.7.4): Diagnostic Media Checks"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.7.4 Diagnostic Media Checks: 3 SPRS points, not allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/maintenance/3.7.4
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/maintenance/3.7.4
records: 7
digest: sha3:98009f85b4a26e72df5d8dcaa3dd2793d364e86a75bfb80289d05bcb5454beae
---

# NIST 800-171 3.7.4 (MA.L2-3.7.4): Diagnostic Media Checks

NIST 800-171 / Maintenance / 3.7.4

"Check media containing diagnostic and test programs for malicious code before the media are used in organizational systems." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.7.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice MA.L2-3.7.4.

## What 3.7.4 means in practice

Any media a technician brings, such as a USB drive or disc with diagnostic software, is scanned for malicious code before it touches a system that handles CUI. Media plugged in directly bypasses network defenses, so the check happens at the point of use.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: MA.L2-3.7.4
- **SPRS points**: 3 points. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 3 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Not allowed. It is worth 3 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 3.7.4

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.7.4.

- Determine if media containing diagnostic and test programs are checked for malicious code before being used in organizational systems that process, store, or transmit CUI.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.7.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.7.4 is met

- The procedure requiring a scan before diagnostic media is used.
- Scan logs or a scanning station record for maintenance media.
- Malware protection settings that scan removable media when it is inserted.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.7.4. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.7.4 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-MA)
- **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 6 Maintenance requirements (3.7).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/maintenance)
- **Previous**: [3.7.3: Off-Site Maintenance](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/maintenance/3.7.3)
- **Next**: [3.7.5: Nonlocal Maintenance](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/maintenance/3.7.5)
- **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 | 2f5a0d419ec7 | 5cf4975724a5 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 2f6583945729 | 2f5a0d419ec7 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 044187c2f048 | 2f6583945729 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 3c0a06468273 | 044187c2f048 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 44e986678f78 | 3c0a06468273 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 926cf8f595ea | 44e986678f78 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 98009f85b4a2 | 926cf8f595ea |

Head sha3:98009f85b4a26e72df5d8dcaa3dd2793d364e86a75bfb80289d05bcb5454beae. 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.