Mapped to NIST 800-171 Requirement: 3.14.5
CMMC Assessment Objective: SI.L2-3.14.5[d]
What This Control Means
This is the enforcement checkpoint.
You must demonstrate that:
• Malware protections are mandatory across all relevant systems
• Users cannot disable or modify malware protection agents without administrative oversight
• Monitoring is in place to detect and alert if malware protection fails or stops
• Malware protection remains active even during system updates, reboots, or user logins
Defense must be constant, locked-in, and centrally managed.
Why It Matters
Without enforced malware protection:
• Users or malware could disable endpoint protections silently
• Critical systems could go unprotected after patching, device reimaging, or onboarding
• Incident detection would fail due to gaps in endpoint visibility
• You would fail CMMC audits that require persistent system protection
Malware defenses must be resilient, enforced, and tamper-resistant.
How to Implement It
1. Lock Malware Protection Settings
• Use RBAC to ensure only administrators can modify or uninstall endpoint protection
• Disable end-user controls for antivirus/antimalware software
2. Monitor Protection Agent Health
• Set up alerts for:
◦ Endpoint agent failures
◦ Signature update failures
◦ Malware engine deactivation
3. Enforce Agent Installation During System Enrollment
• New devices must have malware protection deployed automatically
• Include enforcement checks during system provisioning
4. Block Unprotected Devices
• Prevent network access for devices missing malware protection (e.g., using NAC solutions)
5. Conduct Regular Audits
• Review endpoint protection status reports weekly or monthly
• Test enforcement by attempting (in a controlled way) to disable protection and ensuring alerts fire
Evidence the Assessor Will Look For
• Configuration files showing locked antivirus/EDR settings
• Logs showing endpoint protection agent status and health monitoring
• SIEM reports tracking endpoint protection enforcement and violations
• Screenshots showing restricted access to malware protection settings
• Incident reports triggered by detection of disabled/missing protection
Common Gaps
• Antivirus or EDR agents installed but easily disabled by users
• No monitoring for protection agent health
• Systems reimaged or newly provisioned without automatic malware defense installation
• Endpoint protection coverage gaps between devices, users, or environments
How Cuick Trac Helps
Cuick Trac supports this requirement by:
• Monitoring malware protection enforcement across your CUI systems
• Alerting when endpoint protection is missing, disabled, or outdated
• Locking security agent configurations against unauthorized changes
• Documenting enforcement policies and violations for compliance audits
• Providing live dashboards showing system protection status across the enterprise
With Cuick Trac, malware protection isn’t optional—it’s enforced, verified, and provable.
Final CTA
Malware protection is only effective if it’s always on—and untouchable.
Schedule a Cuick Trac demo to enforce your malware defenses and ensure your CUI systems stay secured 24/7.