---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.8.8 (MP.L2-3.8.8): Ownerless Storage"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.8.8 Ownerless Storage: 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/3.8.8
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.8
records: 7
digest: sha3:a0264c59d3c4eb887ca4c3064b5119c6820f467e94af96f72390a9e8222b6b4e
---

# NIST 800-171 3.8.8 (MP.L2-3.8.8): Ownerless Storage

NIST 800-171 / Media Protection / 3.8.8

"Prohibit the use of portable storage devices when such devices have no identifiable owner." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.8.8](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice MP.L2-3.8.8.

## What 3.8.8 means in practice

Portable storage with no known owner, like a USB drive found in the parking lot, is never used. Every portable storage device in use has an assigned person, team or project responsible for it.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: MP.L2-3.8.8
- **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 3.8.8

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.8.8.

- Determine if the use of portable storage devices is prohibited when such devices have no identifiable owner.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.8.8](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.8.8 is met

- The policy prohibiting portable storage that has no identifiable owner.
- A register of issued portable storage devices and their owners.
- Device control settings that allow only registered devices, where used.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.8.8. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.8.8 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**: [3.8.7: Removable Media](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.7)
- **Next**: [3.8.9: Backup Confidentiality](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.9)
- **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 | 3c860adb8a66 | 2759f5aa0dbf |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | f16675c09b31 | 3c860adb8a66 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 6bd6c679a30f | f16675c09b31 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 6db7754b2196 | 6bd6c679a30f |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 6e8c9db2b4c5 | 6db7754b2196 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | c5d64cc1bc86 | 6e8c9db2b4c5 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | a0264c59d3c4 | c5d64cc1bc86 |

Head sha3:a0264c59d3c4eb887ca4c3064b5119c6820f467e94af96f72390a9e8222b6b4e. 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.