What You Should Know About NIST 800-171 Compliance

Government contracts are a big win for private companies, but with federal agencies involved, data protection must be exceptionally stringent. While labels such as “secret,” “top-secret,” or “classified” indicate sensitivity, they only highlight the need for strict handling guidelines. To ensure higher security for sensitive, non-classified federal data, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) introduced NIST 800-171 compliance requirements. This standard protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) handled by third parties, partners, and subcontractors covering defense data, personal information, intellectual property, equipment specs, logistical plans, and more. Contractors managing CUI must maintain NIST 800-171 compliance, performing self-assessments to ensure security standards are met. It is also closely tied to the Department of Defense’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). If you’re ready to begin, this Akitra guide explains what NIST 800-171 compliance is, who it applies to, its connection to CMMC, and why it’s critical for your organization.

What is NIST 800-171?

NIST 800-171 describes the security requirements for non-federal companies that handle CUI on their networks. It was initially published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In June 2015, the U.S. federal government organization developed several standards and publications to enhance cybersecurity resilience in both the public and private sectors. Since then, it has undergone regular updates in response to new cyber threats and emerging technologies. The most recent version (Revision 2) was made public in February 2020.‍

What is its Purpose?

NIST 800-171 compliance standards are created to protect CUI, or “Controlled Unclassified Information,” in the IT networks of federal contractors and subcontractors. It outlines the standards and guidelines that government contractors must follow while processing or storing CUI on their networks. NIST 800-171 compliance covers the areas of a contractor’s network where CUI is present. It improves the security of the entire federal supply chain by establishing cybersecurity standards for contractors who handle sensitive government information. It ensures a minimum level of cybersecurity for all contractors and subcontractors with access to CUI.

Who Does NIST 800-171 Apply to?

Here are a few agencies and organizations that often need to meet NIST 800-171 compliance to determine if it applies to you:

Department of Defense’s contractors (DoD)
General Services Administration contractors (GSA)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration contractors (NASA)
Federally funded universities and research institutions
Advisory firms with federal contracts
Service providers for government organizations
Manufacturers that provide goods to government agencies

NIST 800-171’s Control Requirements for Protecting CUI

The 110 requirements in NIST 800-171 compliance are grouped into 14 families, each addressing a distinct aspect of an organization’s IT, policy, or procedures. Access control, system configuration, and authentication processes are all covered. They also lay out the specifications for incident response strategies and cybersecurity protocols. The fourteen access control families with their corresponding compliance requirements are:

Access Controls: who has access to records, and whether they are allowed
Awareness and Training: Staff should receive sufficient instruction on handling CUI
Audit and Accountability: Track usage and responsibilities for CUI
Configuration Management: Maintain secure configurations by adhering to the rules
Identification and Authentication: Control and track every CUI access instance
Incident Response: Protect CUI through breach preparedness and response
Maintenance: Maintain ongoing security and change management
Media Protection: Protect external drives, backup devices, and backups
Physical Protection: Restrict physical access to CUI locations
Personnel Security: Train staff to stop insider threats
Risk Assessment: Conduct penetration testing and risk profiling
Security Assessment: Verify that protocols are in place and functioning
System and Communications Protection: Secure communication channels
System and Information Integrity: Fix vulnerabilities and outages

The essential thing to remember about NIST 800-171 compliance is that it protects CUI anywhere in the orbit of government contractors, subcontractors, and business partners.‍

How Does NIST 800-171 Tie up with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)?

NIST 800-171 compliance provides guidelines for protecting CUI and overseeing cybersecurity policies. For defense contractors and subcontractors, the next step is the CMMC, designed to ensure the U.S. Defense Industrial Base (DIB) safeguards CUI and Federal Contract Information (FCI). Contractors must assess their compliance internally or externally, with eligibility for government contracts depending on whether they meet CMMC Level 1 (foundational), Level 2 (advanced), or Level 3 (expert) standards.

Benefits of NIST 800-171 Compliance

Implementing NIST 800-171 compliance offers far more than federal contract eligibility. Key benefits include:

Safeguarding CUI and other critical information
Identifying and fixing cybersecurity gaps
Strengthening risk management and security processes
Ensuring ongoing compliance with requirements
Applying strict access controls to sensitive data
Reducing cyber risks, data theft, and legal penalties
Protecting reputation and building trust with federal agencies
Gaining a competitive edge in federal contracting
Demonstrating commitment to data protection for stakeholders
Enabling effective cyber incident response

Security, AI Risk Management, and Compliance with Akitra!

In the competitive landscape of SaaS businesses, trust is paramount amidst data breaches and privacy concerns. Akitra addresses this need with its leading AI-powered Compliance Automation platform. Our platform empowers customers to prevent sensitive data disclosure and mitigate risks, meeting the expectations of customers and partners in the rapidly evolving landscape of data security and compliance. Through automated evidence collection and continuous monitoring, paired with customizable policies, Akitra ensures organizations are compliance-ready for various frameworks such as SOC 1, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27701, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, ISO 9001, ISO 13485, ISO 42001, NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, NIST AI RMF, FedRAMP, CCPA, CMMC, SOX ITGC, and more such as CIS AWS Foundations Benchmark, Australian ISM and Essential Eight etc. In addition, companies can use Akitra’s Risk Management product for overall risk management using quantitative methodologies such as Factorial Analysis of Information Risks (FAIR) and qualitative methods, including NIST-based for your company, Vulnerability Assessment and Pen Testing services, Third Party Vendor Risk Management, Trust Center, and AI-based Automated Questionnaire Response product to streamline and expedite security questionnaire response processes, delivering huge cost savings. Our compliance and security experts provide customized guidance to navigate the end-to-end compliance process confidently. Last but not least, we have also developed a resource hub called Akitra Academy, which offers easy-to-learn short video courses on security, compliance, and related topics of immense significance for today’s fast-growing companies.

Our solution offers substantial time and cost savings, including discounted audit fees, enabling fast and cost-effective compliance certification. Customers achieve continuous compliance as they grow, becoming certified under multiple frameworks through a single automation platform.

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