# NIST800 171 3.8.1 — Media Storage

- Source: https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/a_gen_nist800171_381_d3d778fdf3-nist800-171-381-media-storage
- Section: [Solutions](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions) › [NIST SP 800-171 Readiness](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/c_gen_nist800171) › [Media Protection](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/folders/f_gen_cgennist800171_mediaprotection)
- Last updated: 2026-05-30
- Publisher: iCompaas, Inc. (https://www.icompaas.com)

NIST800 171 · Control 3.8.1 · Priority: high · Component: Media Protection

### What this control covers

This control mandates the physical control and secure storage of system media containing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), including both digital and non-digital media. It includes inventory management, secure storage procedures, and the use of sanitization techniques to prevent unauthorized access or disclosure of CUI. This control supports the Media Security Management capability within the Media Protection (3.8) family.

### Why it matters

Risk is the language an executive team understands; this control connects technical reality to board-level decisions and budget allocation.

### How to implement

#### AWS

Codify the policy intent as **SCPs, AWS Config conformance packs, and Security Hub standards** so the cloud enforces what the document says.

#### Azure

Codify in **Azure Policy initiatives** (built-in regulatory compliance for CIS, ISO 27001, SOC 2, HIPAA) and assign at management-group level.

#### GCP

**Cloud Asset Inventory** exports a daily snapshot of every resource and IAM policy to BigQuery; combine with **Org Policy** for tag enforcement.

#### On-premises

Maintain a policy library with a documented review cadence (annual minimum); store in your GRC tool with attestation tracking. Map each policy to controls so an audit pull cites the exact policy clause.

### Evidence to collect

-   `policy_document` — A signed, version-controlled policy stating leadership intent and the named owner.
-   `infra_scan` — See the iCompaas Evidence library for the canonical source for this evidence type.

Signed policy or standard documents the safeguard. Focus: Media Storage.

### Quick checklist

-   Access — Management / Cui
-   Information — Management / Cui
-   Protection — Management / Cui
-   System — Management / Cui
-   Media — Management / Cui
-   Physical — Management / Cui

### Related articles on this site

-   [NIST 800-171 3.8.1 Protect (i.e., physically control and securely store) system media containing CUI, both paper and digital.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229310-nist-800-171-3-8-1-protect-i-e-physically-control-and-securely-store-system-media-containing-cui-)
-   [NIST 800-171 3.8.5 Control access to media containing CUI and maintain accountability for media during transport outside of controlled areas.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229314-nist-800-171-3-8-5-control-access-to-media-containing-cui-and-maintain-accountability-for-media-durin)
-   [NIST 800-171 3.8.3 Sanitize or destroy system media containing CUI before disposal or release for reuse.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229312-nist-800-171-3-8-3-sanitize-or-destroy-system-media-containing-cui-before-disposal-or-release-for-reu)
-   [NIST 800-171 3.8.6 Implement cryptographic mechanisms to protect the confidentiality of CUI stored on digital media during transport unless otherwise protected by alternative physical safeguards.](https://support.icompaas.com/support/solutions/articles/62000229315-nist-800-171-3-8-6-implement-cryptographic-mechanisms-to-protect-the-confidentiality-of-cui-stored-on)

## Related compliance guidance

- [NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC: a practical guide to protecting CUI in the cloud](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-171-rev-3): The CUI requirements CMMC Level 2 assesses, the SPRS score, POA&M rules and the phased DFARS rollout.
- [NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: a practical implementation guide for cloud teams](https://support.icompaas.com/compliance/nist-sp-800-53-rev-5): The federal catalogue 800-171 is derived from — useful when a contract also cites a FedRAMP baseline.