NIST 800-171 Control 3.1.9: Privacy and Security Notices
Control 3.1.9 requires organizations to provide clear privacy and security notices aligned with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) rules. These notices inform users about data handling, access rights, and security measures—critical for compliance with federal contractor obligations. Discover how to implement effective notices that meet NIST requirements and protect your organization.
What this means
This control mandates that your organization provide transparent, consistent privacy and security notices to users and stakeholders. Notices must clearly communicate how CUI is protected, who can access it, what security measures are in place, and user responsibilities. These notices serve as both a compliance requirement and a user protection mechanism, ensuring all parties understand data handling practices and security expectations.
How to comply
- 1.Develop organization-wide privacy and security notice templates that address CUI handling requirements
- 2.Include specific language about data collection, use, storage, and protection mechanisms in all notices
- 3.Display notices prominently during system access, data entry, and login processes
- 4.Communicate security responsibilities and acceptable use policies within each notice
- 5.Ensure notices reference applicable laws, regulations, and organizational policies
- 6.Update notices annually and whenever policies or security measures change
- 7.Train personnel on notice requirements and their role in communicating them to users
- 8.Document all notice deployments, versions, and user acknowledgments for audit purposes
Evidence auditors look for
- System login banners displaying privacy and security notices before user authentication
- Data handling agreements signed by users acknowledging CUI protection requirements
- Privacy statements embedded in system interfaces and web applications
- Email disclaimers warning about CUI handling and confidentiality obligations
- Employee onboarding documentation with signed acknowledgments of security notices
- Vendor and contractor agreements including privacy and security notice requirements
- Records of notice updates with approval dates and distribution confirmation
- Access control system logs showing user acknowledgment of notices before system use
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch automates notice template management, tracks user acknowledgments across all systems, and ensures notices stay synchronized with policy changes—eliminating manual version control and providing audit-ready documentation for 3.1.9 compliance.
See how GRCWatch handles this control automatically
Start free trial