AC.L2-3.5.1[c] — Identification & Authentication (Identification)Domain: Identification & Authentication (IA) | Practice: IA.L2-3.5.1 | Objective ID: 3.5.1[c] | Source: NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 2 / CMMC 2.0 Level 2 | Assessment Objective: Devices that access the system are identified. |
Executive Summary (For Leadership and the Board)
CMMC objective AC.L2-3.5.1[c] sits inside the Identification & Authentication domain (IA.L2-3.5.1 — Identification) and reads: Devices that access the system are identified.. Uniquely identify all devices that connect to CUI systems through device certificates, MAC addresses, or asset management identifiers. For organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), this objective is part of the foundation that every downstream control depends on.
Under DFARS 252.204-7012, AC.L2-3.5.1[c] will be evaluated during a full third-party CMMC Level 2 assessment, Joint Surveillance Voluntary Assessment, or formal certification gating DoD CUI contract awards. Leadership and the board should be asking: Who owns this objective? When was it last reviewed? Where is the evidence stored? And what is our remediation plan if a C3PAO flags a gap? Failing this objective in isolation may be POA&M-able under CMMC 2.0; failing it in conjunction with related objectives in the same practice is typically not.