---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.8.9 (MP.L2-3.8.9): Backup Confidentiality"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.8.9 Backup Confidentiality: 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/3.8.9
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.9
records: 7
digest: sha3:15d8eb95e0999085194ab131ec80bb8d0e94c4e3b62a82fe09bc1b52e853fbed
---

# NIST 800-171 3.8.9 (MP.L2-3.8.9): Backup Confidentiality

NIST 800-171 / Media Protection / 3.8.9

"Protect the confidentiality of backup CUI at storage locations." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.8.9](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice MP.L2-3.8.9.

## What 3.8.9 means in practice

Backups hold the same CUI as the live system, so they need the same protection wherever they are stored: encryption, access limited to authorized people, and physical security for any copies kept off site. Cloud backup services are storage locations too, so their encryption settings and access lists are part of the evidence.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: MP.L2-3.8.9
- **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 3.8.9

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.8.9.

- Determine if the confidentiality of backup CUI is protected at storage locations.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.8.9](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.8.9 is met

- Backup encryption settings and how the keys are managed.
- Access permissions on backup storage and vaults.
- Physical security records for backups stored off site.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

PolicyCortex reads this evidence with the collectors below, read only, and grades 3.8.9 from it. Each line says what the product checks.

- **Azure Backup: Recovery Services vaults.** Reads Recovery Services vault configuration and checks that CUI backups are encrypted where they are stored.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.8.9 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**: [3.8.8: Ownerless Storage](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/media-protection/3.8.8)
- **Next**: [3.9.1: Personnel Screening](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/personnel-security/3.9.1)
- **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 | 5c776c6652af | 31c154af3b47 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 44d01379e9a3 | 5c776c6652af |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | a2f43625c15c | 44d01379e9a3 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | c9f4223bc4f8 | a2f43625c15c |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 39e5aa338c1a | c9f4223bc4f8 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | df95475d5fa1 | 39e5aa338c1a |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 15d8eb95e099 | df95475d5fa1 |

Head sha3:15d8eb95e0999085194ab131ec80bb8d0e94c4e3b62a82fe09bc1b52e853fbed. 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.