---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.10.1 (PE.L2-3.10.1): Physical Access"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.10.1 Physical Access: 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/physical-protection/3.10.1
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/physical-protection/3.10.1
records: 7
digest: sha3:69dd0d819fc64d258012dcbde6ac302621881136e836412896d51133047ebe09
---

# NIST 800-171 3.10.1 (PE.L2-3.10.1): Physical Access

NIST 800-171 / Physical Protection / 3.10.1

"Limit physical access to organizational systems, equipment, and the respective operating environments to authorized individuals." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.10.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice PE.L2-3.10.1.

## What 3.10.1 means in practice

Only authorized people can physically reach the systems, the equipment and the rooms they sit in. Keep a list of who is authorized, issue badges or keys accordingly, and lock the server rooms, wiring closets and other spaces that hold systems with CUI.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: PE.L2-3.10.1
- **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 3.10.1

NIST SP 800-171A gives 4 determination statements for 3.10.1, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.10.1[a] authorized individuals allowed physical access are identified.
- 3.10.1[b] physical access to organizational systems is limited to authorized individuals.
- 3.10.1[c] physical access to equipment is limited to authorized individuals.
- 3.10.1[d] physical access to operating environments is limited to authorized individuals.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.10.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.10.1 is met

- The list of people authorized for physical access to each controlled area.
- Badge or key system records showing access limited to that list.
- Photos or a walkthrough of locked server rooms and equipment areas.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.10.1. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.10.1 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-PE)
- **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 6 Physical Protection requirements (3.10).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/physical-protection)
- **Previous**: [3.9.2: Personnel Actions](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/personnel-security/3.9.2)
- **Next**: [3.10.2: Facility Monitoring](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/physical-protection/3.10.2)
- **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 | 41c5d7fc0159 | ffb9644d8f8c |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 64aa460bb00e | 41c5d7fc0159 |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 94b20246f6f5 | 64aa460bb00e |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | f58877883e8b | 94b20246f6f5 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | e39800756bd5 | f58877883e8b |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 11da808003a4 | e39800756bd5 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 69dd0d819fc6 | 11da808003a4 |

Head sha3:69dd0d819fc64d258012dcbde6ac302621881136e836412896d51133047ebe09. 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.