Mapped to NIST 800-171 Requirement: 3.4.3
CMMC Assessment Objective: CM.L2-3.4.3[b]
What This Objective Means
You’ve defined which changes require pre-approval (CM.L2-3.4.3[a]). Now, you must show that:
• Those changes were reviewed and approved before implementation
• Documentation exists for each change request, showing:
◦ What was proposed
◦ Who approved it
◦ When the approval was granted
◦ Who implemented it
This is all about traceability and accountability for system changes.
Why It Matters
If changes are made without approval—even unintentionally—they can:
• Bypass security controls
• Introduce vulnerabilities or system instability
• Create audit failures and compliance gaps
This control ensures changes that impact security, compliance, or baseline configurations are not applied blindly.
How to Implement It
• For each change identified as requiring pre-approval:
◦ Document the change request (e.g., in a ticketing system or approval form)
◦ Record the approver’s name and title
◦ Include approval date and any review comments
• Store approval records securely and link them to the implemented change
• Maintain change logs with references to related tickets or forms
Evidence the Assessor Will Look For
• Change request records showing prior approval for applicable system changes
• Screenshots or exports from a change management system (e.g., Jira, ServiceNow, SharePoint)
• Policy or procedures defining who is authorized to approve changes
• Version control or configuration records showing pre-approval documentation
Common Gaps
• Changes made informally or by email without formal tracking
• No documentation that approval occurred before the change
• Confusion about which changes required prior authorization
How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac supports this control by:
• Helping define which changes require approval and by whom
• Offering templates for documenting change requests and approvals
• Aligning secure enclave configuration with pre-approved standards
• Assisting in maintaining audit-ready records tied to each configuration change
With Cuick Trac, you don’t just manage change—you prove you controlled it from start to finish.
Final CTA
If you can’t show it was approved, it shouldn’t have been implemented.
Schedule a Cuick Trac demo and bring full documentation and discipline to your change control process.