Control 3.2.1
Security Awareness Training
Official Requirement
Ensure that managers, systems administrators, and users of organizational information 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 organizational information systems.
What This Means in Plain English
Everyone in your organization must understand the security risks they face and know the rules they must follow. This includes regular security awareness training for all staff, with additional training for those in technical and management roles.
How Petronella Implements This Control
Petronella Technology Group implements this control through:
- Annual security awareness training for all employees covering CUI handling, phishing, and social engineering
- Monthly phishing simulation campaigns using KnowBe4 with remedial training for failures
- Role-specific training for IT administrators on system hardening and incident response
- New employee security orientation within 5 days of onboarding
- ComplianceArmor tracking training completion and certification records
- Quarterly security briefings for management on emerging threats and risk posture
Assessment Guidance
Assessors will review training records for all personnel, verify that training content covers applicable policies and CUI handling, check that training is conducted at least annually, and confirm that new employees receive training before accessing CUI systems.
Common Implementation Gaps
- No formal security awareness training program
- Training records incomplete or missing for some employees
- Training content generic and not tailored to CUI handling
- No training provided to new hires before system access
- Management not included in security awareness programs
Cross-Framework Mapping
| Framework | Mapped Controls |
|---|---|
| NIST SP 800-53 | AT-2 |
| HIPAA | 164.308(a)(5)(i) - Security Awareness and Training |
| PCI DSS | Req 12.6 - Implement a formal security awareness program |
Need Help Implementing 3.2.1?
Our CMMC-RP certified team can assess your current compliance posture and build a remediation plan.
Schedule a Compliance Assessment