---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.8.1 (MP.L2-3.8.1): Media Protection"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.8.1 Media Protection: 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/media-protection/3.8.1
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.1
records: 7
digest: sha3:5b0a831950cf9b0e4acc4bc4c98ecd7b9baaa56c3f91f534859500b629ad8497
---

# NIST 800-171 3.8.1 (MP.L2-3.8.1): Media Protection

NIST 800-171 / Media Protection / 3.8.1

"Protect (i.e., physically control and securely store) system media containing CUI, both paper and digital." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.8.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice MP.L2-3.8.1.

## What 3.8.1 means in practice

Paper and portable digital media that hold CUI stay under control and are locked away when not in use, for example in locked cabinets or a secure room. That covers printouts, external drives, USB sticks, discs and backup tapes.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: MP.L2-3.8.1
- **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 3.8.1

NIST SP 800-171A gives 4 determination statements for 3.8.1, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.8.1[a] paper media containing CUI is physically controlled.
- 3.8.1[b] digital media containing CUI is physically controlled.
- 3.8.1[c] paper media containing CUI is securely stored.
- 3.8.1[d] digital media containing CUI is securely stored.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.8.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.8.1 is met

- The media protection procedure.
- Locked storage for paper and digital media, and a record of who holds the keys.
- Media inventories or logs.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.8.1. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.8.1 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-MP)
- **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 Media Protection requirements (3.8).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection)
- **Previous**: [3.7.6: Maintenance Personnel](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/maintenance/3.7.6)
- **Next**: [3.8.2: Media Access](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.2)
- **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 | 84d6b402dc1a | 1ee967a2a54e |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | ef1153553243 | 84d6b402dc1a |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 2b47829febf7 | ef1153553243 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | ca554483e482 | 2b47829febf7 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | bd9d12d91fb1 | ca554483e482 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | db26647755be | bd9d12d91fb1 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 5b0a831950cf | db26647755be |

Head sha3:5b0a831950cf9b0e4acc4bc4c98ecd7b9baaa56c3f91f534859500b629ad8497. 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.