---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.14.2 (SI.L2-3.14.2): Malware Protection"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.14.2 Malware Protection: 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/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.2
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.2
records: 7
digest: sha3:facc7124aabf5c00300698b61cbc3c95d51f9753b061ba06933cfb8fa02c0b49
---

# NIST 800-171 3.14.2 (SI.L2-3.14.2): Malware Protection

NIST 800-171 / System and Information Integrity / 3.14.2

"Provide protection from malicious code at designated locations within organizational systems." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.14.2](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice SI.L2-3.14.2.

## What 3.14.2 means in practice

Malware protection runs at the points where malicious code gets in or spreads: endpoints, servers, and email and web gateways. Decide those locations, deploy protection there, and confirm it is running.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: SI.L2-3.14.2
- **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 3.14.2

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.14.2, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.14.2[a] designated locations for malicious code protection are identified.
- 3.14.2[b] protection from malicious code at designated locations is provided.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.14.2](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.14.2 is met

- The list of locations where malware protection is required.
- Endpoint protection deployment and health reports.
- Email and web gateway filtering settings.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

PolicyCortex reads this evidence with the collectors below, read only, and grades 3.14.2 from it. Each line says what the product checks.

- **Azure: Virtual machines and disks.** Checks that each Azure virtual machine has an active antimalware extension.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.14.2 and the other 109 requirements and see the score.](https://policycortex.com/sprs-score-calculator#family-SI)
- **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 7 System and Information Integrity requirements (3.14).](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity)
- **Previous**: [3.14.1: Flaw Remediation](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.1)
- **Next**: [3.14.3: Security Advisories](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.3)
- **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 | 40e6694a381a | 86b72d0ed997 |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | ad6bc16990c2 | 40e6694a381a |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 8d30cba655a6 | ad6bc16990c2 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | 2e2c88b95957 | 8d30cba655a6 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | a332b974706d | 2e2c88b95957 |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | e9c510b96778 | a332b974706d |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | facc7124aabf | e9c510b96778 |

Head sha3:facc7124aabf5c00300698b61cbc3c95d51f9753b061ba06933cfb8fa02c0b49. 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.