---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.8.3 (MP.L2-3.8.3): Media Sanitization"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.8.3 Media Sanitization: 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/media-protection/3.8.3
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.3
records: 7
digest: sha3:a7abcd9dcb28b01032f0f6e45e65a465c98d6a9ef7556444923178b9d1860618
---

# NIST 800-171 3.8.3 (MP.L2-3.8.3): Media Sanitization

NIST 800-171 / Media Protection / 3.8.3

"Sanitize or destroy system media containing CUI before disposal or release for reuse." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.8.3](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice MP.L2-3.8.3.

## What 3.8.3 means in practice

Before media holding CUI is thrown away or reused, it is wiped or destroyed so the CUI cannot be recovered. That includes the drives in old laptops, printers and copiers as well as paper, typically following NIST SP 800-88, with certificates of destruction from any outside service.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: MP.L2-3.8.3
- **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 3.8.3

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.8.3, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.8.3[a] system media containing CUI is sanitized or destroyed before disposal.
- 3.8.3[b] system media containing CUI is sanitized before it is released for reuse.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.8.3](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.8.3 is met

- The sanitization procedure and the method used for each media type.
- Sanitization or destruction logs.
- Certificates of destruction from disposal vendors.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.8.3. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.8.3 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**: [3.8.2: Media Access](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.2)
- **Next**: [3.8.4: Media Marking](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.4)
- **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 | 8c55bda8f2f0 | a41ee012bb22 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | a82078926868 | 8c55bda8f2f0 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 7903839a27b9 | a82078926868 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 13a49c3214de | 7903839a27b9 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 99dad3422ca3 | 13a49c3214de |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | e9cfaf6dd964 | 99dad3422ca3 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | a7abcd9dcb28 | e9cfaf6dd964 |

Head sha3:a7abcd9dcb28b01032f0f6e45e65a465c98d6a9ef7556444923178b9d1860618. 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.