---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.11.1 (RA.L2-3.11.1): Risk Assessment"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.11.1 Risk Assessment: 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/risk-assessment/3.11.1
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/risk-assessment/3.11.1
records: 7
digest: sha3:e9737157c7153eee1e94a69e00a787fe8c2483b4a1a5b7ec0fa2920b6388aa69
---

# NIST 800-171 3.11.1 (RA.L2-3.11.1): Risk Assessment

NIST 800-171 / Risk Assessment / 3.11.1

"Periodically assess the risk to organizational operations (including mission, functions, image, or reputation), organizational assets, and individuals, resulting from the operation of organizational systems and the associated processing, storage, or transmission of CUI." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.11.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice RA.L2-3.11.1.

## What 3.11.1 means in practice

Assess, on a schedule you set, the risk that running the system and handling CUI poses to your operations, assets and people. A useful risk assessment names the threats, vulnerabilities, likelihood and impact for the defined boundary, and is repeated when the system changes.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: RA.L2-3.11.1
- **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 3.11.1

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.11.1, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.11.1[a] the frequency to assess risk to organizational operations, organizational assets, and individuals is defined.
- 3.11.1[b] risk to organizational operations, organizational assets, and individuals resulting from the operation of an organizational system that processes, stores, or transmits CUI is assessed with the defined frequency.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.11.1](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.11.1 is met

- The risk assessment and its date.
- The defined frequency for repeating it.
- A risk register showing the identified risks and their owners.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

No PolicyCortex collector reads the evidence for 3.11.1. Your team provides the evidence listed above.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.11.1 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-RA)
- **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 3 Risk Assessment requirements (3.11).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/risk-assessment)
- **Previous**: [3.10.6: Alternate Work Sites](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/physical-protection/3.10.6)
- **Next**: [3.11.2: Vulnerability Scanning](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/risk-assessment/3.11.2)
- **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 | ebde73aa6cee | 484d0859da31 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 85f86f4a1301 | ebde73aa6cee |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | fb45c25a5da4 | 85f86f4a1301 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 2787d4da5215 | fb45c25a5da4 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | 3a63ce94a202 | 2787d4da5215 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | a764672a46ab | 3a63ce94a202 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | e9737157c715 | a764672a46ab |

Head sha3:e9737157c7153eee1e94a69e00a787fe8c2483b4a1a5b7ec0fa2920b6388aa69. 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.