Awareness and Training 3.2.1 (3.2.1)
Ensure that managers, systems administrators, and users of organizational systems are made aware of the security risks associated with their activities and of the applicable policies, standards, and procedures related to the security of those systems.
Get Full GuidanceWhat Is This CMMC Control?
This control requires organizations to provide security awareness training to all personnel who use, manage, or administer organizational systems. The training must cover security risks associated with their specific job functions, relevant security policies and procedures, and how to recognize and respond to security incidents. Training content and frequency should be tailored to the organization's needs and the systems personnel access.
Control Intent
To ensure all personnel understand their security responsibilities and the risks associated with their activities, reducing the likelihood of security incidents caused by human error, negligence, or lack of awareness.
Who This Control Applies To
- •All employees, contractors, and third-party users with access to organizational systems
- •System administrators and IT personnel
- •Managers and supervisors responsible for security oversight
- •Remote workers and users accessing systems from external locations
- •New hires during onboarding
- •Existing personnel on a recurring basis
Not Applicable When
- •The organization has no personnel with access to systems containing CUI
- •All system access is fully automated with no human interaction
- •The organization has formally documented that specific personnel have no access to any organizational systems
Key Objectives
- 1Ensure personnel understand security risks associated with their specific job functions and system access.
- 2Communicate applicable security policies, standards, and procedures to all system users, administrators, and managers.
- 3Establish awareness of proper security practices and incident response procedures across the organization.
- 4Reduce security incidents caused by human error through education and awareness.
Sample Self-Assessment Questions (Partial)
Does your organization provide security awareness training to all employees who access company systems?
How frequently is security awareness training provided to employees?
Implementation Approaches (High-Level)
Formal Security Awareness Training Program
Structured training program with documented curriculum, delivery schedule, and completion tracking for all personnel
Multi-Method Security Awareness Program
Comprehensive program combining formal training with ongoing awareness activities such as email advisories, posters, and simulated phishing exercises
Role-Based Security Awareness Training
Differentiated training program providing baseline awareness to all users plus specialized training for administrators, managers, and high-risk roles
Evidence & Assessment Notes
Expected Evidence
Organizations should maintain documentation and evidence demonstrating compliance with this control. This may include policy documentation, configuration records, audit logs, access reviews, and other relevant artifacts that show how the control is implemented and maintained.
Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)
If no formal security awareness training program exists, establish a documented program with defined content, frequency, and tracking mechanisms within 30-60 days If training is provided but not tracked, implement a tracking system and conduct training for all personnel within 90 days If training content does not address organizational policies and procedures, update curriculum within 30 days and retrain personnel within 90 days If contractors are excluded from training, extend training requirements to all third-party users within 60 days If training is provided only during onboarding, establish recurring training schedule and conduct first refresher within 90 days If role-specific training is missing, develop specialized content for administrators and managers within 60 days If training records are incomplete, conduct training for all personnel and establish record-keeping procedures within 90 days If training content is outdated, update materials to reflect current threats and organizational changes within 30 days POA&M should specify interim compensating controls such as increased monitoring or supervision until training program is fully implemented POA&M should include milestones for training content development, delivery, and completion tracking
Frequently Asked Questions
What topics must be covered in security awareness training to satisfy this control?
Training must cover security risks associated with personnel activities, applicable security policies and standards, procedures related to system security, operations security awareness, and how to recognize and respond to suspected security incidents. Content should be tailored to the organization's specific systems and requirements.
How often must security awareness training be provided?
The control does not specify a fixed frequency, but organizations must determine appropriate frequency based on their specific requirements and systems. Most organizations implement annual training with periodic refreshers or updates. Training must be provided to new personnel during onboarding and recurring training must be provided to existing personnel.
Do contractors and third-party users need to receive security awareness training?
Yes, all personnel with access to organizational systems must receive security awareness training, including contractors, temporary workers, and third-party users. The training requirements apply to anyone who uses, manages, or administers organizational systems regardless of employment status.
Is it acceptable to use third-party or commercial security awareness training content?
Yes, organizations may use commercial training products or third-party content, but the training must address the organization's specific policies, standards, and procedures. Generic training should be supplemented with organizational-specific information to fully satisfy the control requirements.
What happens if we cannot provide evidence of training completion for all personnel?
Incomplete training records typically result in an assessment finding. Organizations must be able to demonstrate that all personnel with system access have completed required training within the assessment period. Missing records may require retraining personnel and establishing proper tracking mechanisms.
Does security awareness training need to be different for system administrators versus regular users?
While the control requires awareness training for all personnel, best practice and assessor expectations often include role-specific content for administrators and managers. At minimum, all personnel must receive baseline training, but specialized training for privileged users demonstrates stronger implementation and reduces risk.
How ConformatIQ Helps With CMMC Readiness
ConformatIQ is an AI-assisted CMMC readiness platform designed to help organizations prepare for assessments more efficiently. The platform supports document generation such as SSPs and POA&Ms, guided readiness workflows, centralized evidence tracking, and interview preparation for assessments.
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Request Full GuidanceInformation sourced from NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2. See full disclaimer.