NIST 800-171
NIST SP 800-171 is a cybersecurity standard that defines requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems and organizations. It provides a set of security controls focused on access control, incident response, risk management, and system integrity. The standard is widely used by defense contractors and organizations handling federal data to establish a baseline security posture. It is developed and maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support consistent and effective protection of sensitive information.
Componets of Protection With NIST-800-171
There are 14 Families in Following the NIST 800-171 requirements:
- Access Control
- Awareness and Training
- Audit and Accountability
- Configuration Management
- Identification and Authentication
- Incident Response
- Maintenance
- Media Protection
- Personnel Security
- Physical Protection
- Risk Assessment
- Security Assessment
- System and Communications Protection
- System and Information Integrity
Why NIST-800-171 is Necessary
As a non-federal organization working with a federal agency, if at any point at all you read, write, or execute CUI you are expected to adapt the NIST 800-171 Framework.
If the non-federal organizations fails to meet the appropriate requirements. Said organization may not be able to work with federal agencies. Further, compliance failure could potentially end the relationship of contracts with the United States Government.
An important note: If an organization hires subcontractors, the parent organization is expected to ensure that those subcontractors meet NIST 800-171 compliance.
