---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.8.5 (MP.L2-3.8.5): Media Transport"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.8.5 Media Transport: 1 SPRS point, allowed on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.5
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.5
records: 7
digest: sha3:e88b68e4008e083e3dfdb9f7d69874bebc210ca0f5932acca396a3fb2393a925
---

# NIST 800-171 3.8.5 (MP.L2-3.8.5): Media Transport

NIST 800-171 / Media Protection / 3.8.5

"Control access to media containing CUI and maintain accountability for media during transport outside of controlled areas." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.8.5](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice MP.L2-3.8.5.

## What 3.8.5 means in practice

When media with CUI leaves a controlled area, it stays in someone's charge the whole way, through custody records, locked containers, approved couriers or encryption. Only authorized people may carry it.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: MP.L2-3.8.5
- **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 3.8.5

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.8.5, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.8.5[a] access to media containing CUI is controlled.
- 3.8.5[b] accountability for media containing CUI is maintained during transport outside of controlled areas.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.8.5](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.8.5 is met

- The transport procedure and the people authorized to carry media.
- Chain of custody or transport logs.
- Records of the locked containers or approved couriers used.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.8.5. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.8.5 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**: [3.8.4: Media Marking](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.4)
- **Next**: [3.8.6: Encrypt Media in Transit](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.6)
- **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 | faa16e3ae1d9 | 856de0ce2c9a |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 1f0b3ea24a7d | faa16e3ae1d9 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | bafac36a70ed | 1f0b3ea24a7d |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 11be170b7c00 | bafac36a70ed |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | fad9819bb6fb | 11be170b7c00 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 85f77943c750 | fad9819bb6fb |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | e88b68e4008e | 85f77943c750 |

Head sha3:e88b68e4008e083e3dfdb9f7d69874bebc210ca0f5932acca396a3fb2393a925. 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.