CA.L2-3.12.3: Monitor Your Security Controls to Ensure They Keep Protecting CUI

Mapped to NIST 800-171 Requirement: 3.12.3
CMMC Assessment Objective: CA.L2-3.12.3

What This Control Means
Your organization must establish an ongoing monitoring program that evaluates:
• Whether controls are still implemented as intended
• Whether they continue to function effectively
• Whether they respond appropriately to changes in your environment
This includes both automated and manual processes that ensure controls remain aligned with your CUI protection strategy.

Why It Matters
Controls are not “set and forget.”
• Systems change
• Threats evolve
• Technology ages
• Staff turnover impacts procedures
Without monitoring, even well-implemented controls can become ineffective over time—leaving your CUI at risk.

How to Implement It
1. Define What Needs to Be Monitored
• Focus on controls critical to CUI protection (e.g., access control, encryption, incident response)
• Include both technical and procedural safeguards
2. Choose Monitoring Methods
• Automated: SIEM alerts, vulnerability scans, system logs
• Manual: Control testing, configuration audits, security walkthroughs
3. Assign Roles
• Designate team members responsible for monitoring and reviewing specific controls
• Involve IT, compliance, and operational teams
4. Set Review Frequencies
• Daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the control’s impact and risk level
• Perform deeper review during quarterly or annual assessments
5. Document Monitoring Activities
• Record what was monitored, by whom, and what actions were taken (if any)
• Use these logs as evidence of compliance and proactive security posture

Evidence the Assessor Will Look For
• Documentation showing what controls are monitored and how often
• Logs or dashboards from tools used for monitoring
• Manual review forms or reports showing inspection of controls
• Records of issues discovered and how they were addressed
• Control owner assignments for monitoring activities

Common Gaps
• Controls implemented once but never rechecked
• No documentation of ongoing monitoring
• Inconsistent or informal review efforts
• No process to respond to controls that are no longer functioning effectively

How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac supports this requirement by:
• Tracking your ongoing monitoring schedule and responsibilities
• Integrating with tools like vulnerability scanners and SIEM platforms
• Providing templates for manual control reviews and inspection checklists
• Logging monitoring activities and linking them to specific CUI-related controls
• Alerting you when review deadlines are missed or controls require revalidation
With Cuick Trac, monitoring your controls becomes systematic, documented, and audit-ready.

Final CTA
Security controls don’t work forever—unless you make sure they do.
Schedule a Cuick Trac demo to monitor and maintain the controls that protect your CUI.

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