---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.10.4 (PE.L2-3.10.4): Physical Access Logs"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.10.4 Physical Access Logs: 1 SPRS point, never on a CMMC POA&M. The text, what assessors check and the evidence."
url: https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/physical-protection/3.10.4
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/physical-protection/3.10.4
records: 7
digest: sha3:27c3f3f10205f1cc3f75bcc3ac9b60f863c2a8056fdcba2b60a01098f1fe66fd
---

# NIST 800-171 3.10.4 (PE.L2-3.10.4): Physical Access Logs

NIST 800-171 / Physical Protection / 3.10.4

"Maintain audit logs of physical access." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.10.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice PE.L2-3.10.4.

## What 3.10.4 means in practice

Keep a record of who entered controlled areas and when. It can be electronic, such as badge reader logs, or a written entry log, as long as it is kept and can be reviewed.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: PE.L2-3.10.4
- **SPRS points**: 1 point. When it is not met, the DoD Assessment Methodology subtracts 1 from the score of 110.
- **CMMC POA&M**: Never. 32 CFR 170.21(a)(2)(iii) names 3.10.4 among the 6 requirements a CMMC POA&M may never include, whatever their point value.

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 3.10.4

NIST SP 800-171A gives one determination statement for 3.10.4.

- Determine if audit logs of physical access are maintained.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.10.4](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.10.4 is met

- Badge reader access logs for controlled areas.
- Written entry logs, where they are used.
- The retention period for physical access logs, and a sample covering it.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.10.4. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.10.4 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**: [3.10.3: Visitor Escort](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/physical-protection/3.10.3)
- **Next**: [3.10.5: Physical Access Devices](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/physical-protection/3.10.5)
- **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 | c01249fe155a | e946d42b4c45 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 1b559de7aaf7 | c01249fe155a |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 1f8fefdde080 | 1b559de7aaf7 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 9d266d03d87f | 1f8fefdde080 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | e16d2589f4f7 | 9d266d03d87f |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 3f7f1ab886f4 | e16d2589f4f7 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | 27c3f3f10205 | 3f7f1ab886f4 |

Head sha3:27c3f3f10205f1cc3f75bcc3ac9b60f863c2a8056fdcba2b60a01098f1fe66fd. 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.