What is NIST 800-171 Control 3.12.2?
Control 3.12.2 ensures that any identified weaknesses—whether from a risk assessment, vulnerability scan, control test, or audit—are documented in a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).
The POA&M must:
• Outline the issue
• Define actions needed to fix it
• Assign responsibility
• Set due dates
• Track progress until completion
Why It Matters
Every security program has gaps—but without a formal plan to resolve them, you:
• Can’t demonstrate progress
• May overlook critical issues
• Risk failing compliance assessments or audits
This control turns weaknesses into documented steps toward improvement.
How to Implement It
• Create a standard POA&M template
• For each deficiency, document:
◦ Control impacted
◦ Description of the issue
◦ Risk severity
◦ Planned remediation steps
◦ Responsible party
◦ Timeline and status
• Review and update POA&Ms regularly
• Link POA&Ms to your risk management and security assessment processes
Common Mistakes
• Using POA&Ms only during assessments, not as a living document
• Letting items sit unresolved without follow-up
• Not prioritizing remediation based on risk
How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac supports this control by:
• Providing a built-in POA&M management system within its secure platform
• Helping teams document, assign, and track remediation tasks
• Offering advisory support to help prioritize and close gaps
• Supporting audit readiness by showing progress and accountability over time
With Cuick Trac, your POA&Ms are always current, actionable, and aligned with your compliance goals.
Final CTA
Identifying the issue is step one. Planning and fixing it is what matters.
Book a Cuick Trac demo and turn your security gaps into closed cases.