Level 2 · Physical Protection
PE.L2-3.10.2
Monitor Facility
Facility protection and monitoring must include infrastructure that supports the scoped systems.
Official reference
The requirement
Protect and monitor the physical facility and support infrastructure for organizational systems.
DoD CMMC Assessment Guide, Level 2, version 2.13. PE.L2-3.10.2; requirement and objectives, printed page 182 ↗
Assessment objectives
What must be established
Determine if each applicable objective is satisfied. The labels below follow the cited DoD assessment guide.
- [a]
the physical facility where organizational systems reside is protected;
CAP location planning flagged ↓ - [b]
the support infrastructure for organizational systems is protected;
CAP location planning flagged ↓ - [c]
the physical facility where organizational systems reside is monitored; and
CAP location planning flagged ↓ - [d]
the support infrastructure for organizational systems is monitored.
CAP location planning flagged ↓
MET requires evidence that all applicable objectives are satisfied. Final, approved evidence is needed. A NOT APPLICABLE determination needs a scope-based basis and is equivalent to MET for scoring. Enduring exceptions and temporary deficiencies have specific conditions under 32 CFR 170.24; they are not a general permission to defer implementation.
GAVII Cybersecurity assessment approach
Connect the objective to the evidence
Consider the relevant facility and support infrastructure together. Monitoring should be connected to people who can recognize and respond to a problem.
Assessment focus: objectives [a], [b], [c], [d]. Use the methods together; a single example does not establish every objective.
Examine
Review facility protections, monitoring arrangements, responsibilities, and records addressing supporting infrastructure.
Interview
Who receives an alarm or observes an unexpected physical condition affecting the systems?
Demonstrate or test
Arrange an appropriate walkthrough of representative protections and demonstrate a monitoring or escalation path using a safe example.
Evidence gaps to look for
- The office is monitored but supporting infrastructure is overlooked.
- A sensor generates an alert nobody receives.
GAVII Cybersecurity’s examples illustrate ways to examine, interview, and test. They are not a mandatory artifact list or a guarantee of an assessment result. Combine methods and address every applicable objective in the actual scope.
Assessment constraints
Scoring and POA&M eligibility
Score: 5
If this requirement is NOT MET, deduct 5 points from the Level 2 maximum of 110. The deduction applies to the requirement, not separately to each objective.
Scoring rule ↗POA&M: Not eligible
This requirement has a deduction greater than 1 point and does not qualify for the limited encryption exception. It cannot be deferred on the POA&M used for Conditional Level 2 status.
POA&M rule ↗Conditional Level 2 requires a score of at least 88 out of 110 and satisfaction of every eligibility condition. A 1-point requirement is not automatically eligible. The permitted POA&M must be closed through the appropriate closeout assessment within 180 days of the Conditional CMMC Status Date. An operational remediation plan does not confer Conditional Status.
Assessment planning
Location and observation
Location planning flagged
CAP P.11 specifically highlights the marked objectives for assessment-location planning. Agree with the C3PAO how the environment can be adequately observed, including any scope-specific need for on-site activity. These markers do not establish a universal in-person requirement.
Flagged objectives: [a], [b], [c], [d].
CAP §P.11, pages 10–11 ↗Check the source
References and related requirements
- DoD CMMC Assessment Guide, Level 2 ↗PE.L2-3.10.2; requirement and objectives, printed page 182. 2.13, September 2024.
- 32 CFR 170.24: Assessment findings and scoring ↗170.24(b) and (c)(2). Current electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- 32 CFR 170.21: POA&M eligibility and closeout ↗170.21(a)(2) and (b). Current electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
- NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 ↗Requirement 3.10.2. February 2020, updated January 2021.
- NIST SP 800-171A ↗Assessment procedure 3.10.2. June 2018.
- Cyber AB CMMC Assessment Process (CAP) ↗P.11, printed pages 10-11; Level 2 certification assessment-location planning. 2.0, December 2024.
Program timing and contract applicability can change independently of these requirements. Check current DoD program notices and your solicitation or contract before making a compliance decision. Open the official DoD resource hub.