---
title: "NIST 800-171 3.14.7 (SI.L2-3.14.7): Unauthorized Use"
description: "NIST SP 800-171 3.14.7 Unauthorized Use: 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/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.7
sealed: 2026-11-11
amended: 2026-11-11
register: nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.7
records: 7
digest: sha3:ec19bbe611cb9310e2dc069c775579e3aee1c5333f87f045f108925668852905
---

# NIST 800-171 3.14.7 (SI.L2-3.14.7): Unauthorized Use

NIST 800-171 / System and Information Integrity / 3.14.7

"Identify unauthorized use of organizational systems." ([NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2, requirement 3.14.7](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171r2))

CMMC Level 2 practice SI.L2-3.14.7.

## What 3.14.7 means in practice

Define what authorized use of the system looks like, then watch for use outside it, such as sign-ins at odd hours or from unusual places, access to data outside someone's job, or new accounts nobody requested. Unauthorized use can come from an insider with valid credentials, so watching only for outside attackers does not meet it.

## SPRS points and the CMMC POA&M

- **CMMC Level 2 practice**: SI.L2-3.14.7
- **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 3.14.7

NIST SP 800-171A gives 2 determination statements for 3.14.7, each found satisfied or other than satisfied. Determine if:

- 3.14.7[a] authorized use of the system is defined.
- 3.14.7[b] unauthorized use of the system is identified.

[NIST SP 800-171A (June 2018), assessment objectives for 3.14.7](https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-171A)

## Evidence that shows 3.14.7 is met

- The definition of authorized use, usually in the acceptable use policy.
- Detection rules for unauthorized use.
- Records of investigations into suspected unauthorized use.

## How PolicyCortex gathers the evidence

PolicyCortex reads this evidence with the collectors below, read only, and grades 3.14.7 from it. Each line says what the product checks.

- **Microsoft Sentinel: Automation and alert rules.** Checks that Microsoft Sentinel or Defender alert rules are configured to detect attacks and misuse.
- **Microsoft Defender for Cloud: Secure score and security contacts.** Checks that security alert notifications reach the security team.

## Related pages

- **Calculator**: [SPRS score calculator: mark 3.14.7 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**: [3.14.6: Attack Monitoring](https://policycortex.com/nist-800-171/system-and-information-integrity/3.14.6)
- **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 | 2abc9dfb912c | f82d281b521e |
| REC 0001 | MEANING | 3124d28b8ff9 | 2abc9dfb912c |
| REC 0002 | POINTS AND POA&M | 3f02f5d4f347 | 3124d28b8ff9 |
| REC 0003 | ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES | b97f4e8ed43f | 3f02f5d4f347 |
| REC 0004 | EVIDENCE | d6bfe383d932 | b97f4e8ed43f |
| REC 0005 | COLLECTORS | 26dd9c62b4ab | d6bfe383d932 |
| REC 0006 | RELATED | ec19bbe611cb | 26dd9c62b4ab |

Head sha3:ec19bbe611cb9310e2dc069c775579e3aee1c5333f87f045f108925668852905. 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.