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NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53

NIST is a flexible framework that any organization can use to create and maintain an effective IT security program

Framework Snapshot

The National Institute of Standards and Technology developed NIST CSF (Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity) as a flexible framework for organizations to create and maintain an effective IT security program. NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53 provide security controls for implementing NIST CSF.

NIST was developed in collaboration with industry leaders and stakeholders in government, industry, and academia, and is underpinned by extensive and thorough research. In a recently released version 2.0 of its widely used Cybersecurity Framework, the key features of NIST CSF 2.0 include:

  • Expanded Scope: It now applies to all sectors and organization types, regardless of their degree of cybersecurity sophistication.
  • Governance Focus: CSF 2.0 emphasizes governance, highlighting that cybersecurity is a significant enterprise risk that senior leaders should consider alongside other factors like finance and reputation.
  • Resources Suite: Updates to core guidance, searchable catalog of references, quick start guides, and success stories.

NIST Automation: Compliance for Less

The SureShield platform simplifies NIST compliance by automating technical controls and guiding you through operational controls. SureShield’s automation will reduce your overall NIST compliance cost by up to 70% when compared to traditional, labor-intensive compliance methods. For organizations requiring compliance to multiple frameworks, crosswalk automation drives cost savings up toward 90%.

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    Benefits of the NIST Framework

    Versatility

    Easily adaptable. Can enhance an organization’s cybersecurity programs and risk management processes without overpowering them.

    Better Communication

    The framework is written in easy-to-understand language which facilitates communication among organizations, partners, and stakeholders.

    A Compliant Organization

    Focus on all areas of cybersecurity awareness, including employee education.

    NIST 800-53
    NIST 800-53 helps federal agencies and the organizations doing business with them comply with the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA). Containing more than 900 requirements, NIST 800-53 is the most detailed cybersecurity framework available anywhere.

    NIST 800-171
    NIST 800-171 contains cybersecurity guidelines for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and their contractors to help comply with the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS). All DoD contractors that process, store, or transmit Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must comply with DFARS and, therefore, NIST 800-171.

    The 14 requirement ‘families’ of NIST 800-171:

    1. Access Control
      • Access to networks, systems, and information
      • Authorization
      • Sensitive information flow within the network
      • Network devices
    2. Awareness and Training
      • System administrators and user training of security risks and cybersecurity procedures
      • Employee training to carry out security-related roles
    3. Audit and Accountability
      • Auditing and analyzing system and event logs
      • Recording and storage of reliable audit records
    4. Configuration Management
      • Proper configuration of hardware, software, and devices across the system and network
      • Preventing unauthorized software installation
      • Restricting nonessential programs
    5. Identification and Authentication
      • Access by only authenticated users
      • Password and authentication procedures and policy
      • User identification
      • Privileged and non-privileged accounts
    6. Incident Response
      • Cybersecurity incident response
      • Procedures to detect, contain and recover
      • Proper training and planning
      • Regular capability testing
    7. Maintenance
      • System and network maintenance procedures
      • Regular system maintenance
      • Ensuring external maintenance is secure and authorized
    8. Media Protection
      • Control access to sensitive media
      • Storage or destruction of sensitive information and media
      • Physical and digital formats
    9. Personnel Security
      • Safeguarding CUI
      • Security screening of individuals prior to system access
      • Protected CUI during termination or transfer of personnel, including the return of building passes or hardware and devices
    10. Physical Protection
      • Physical access to CUI
      • Work site visitor access
      • Access to hardware, devices, and equipment
    11. Risk Assessment
      • Regular risk assessments
      • Regular scan systems for vulnerabilities
      • Network device and software security updates
    12. Security Assessment
      • Develop, monitor, and renew system controls and security plans
      • Periodic security procedure review
    13. System and Communications Protection
      • Monitoring and safeguard IT systems
      • Safely transmit data
      • Unauthorized information transfer
      • Cryptography policies to protect CUI
    14. System and Information
      • Monitor systems protection
      • Processes to identify unauthorized systems use
      • Unauthorized information transfer
      • Monitor system security alerts
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    Activate NIST framework

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    Install scanner for compliance evidence gathering

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    Review baseline evidence to score compliance control status

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    Close compliance gaps

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    Ongoing compliance and gap surveillance

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    Enforced maintenance of compliance readiness

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