By Chor-Ching Fan
NIST SP 800-171 is a publication by NIST that provides security requirements for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The guidelines cover various security domains, including access control, configuration management, incident response, and system and communication protection. Compliance with NIST SP 800-171 is required for organizations handling CUI on behalf of the federal government. Organizations must demonstrate that they have implemented security measures that effectively mitigate risks associated with CUI. Implementing the guidelines outlined in NIST SP 800-171 can significantly enhance an organization’s cybersecurity posture and demonstrate its commitment to data security and privacy.
The proposed changes to NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3 signify a significant advancement in cybersecurity measures for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The revision incorporates updates from NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 and the NIST SP 800-53B moderate control baseline, reflecting the evolving threat landscape and meeting the specific needs of federal and nonfederal organizations. Notable changes include increased specificity in security requirements to remove ambiguity and clearly delineate the scope of assessments. The revision also offers updated tailoring criteria, and introduces organization-defined parameters (ODP) in selected security requirements to enhance flexibility and risk management.
Draft Revision 3 also introduces a prototype CUI overlay, serving as a framework that bridges the CUI security requirements with the SP 800-53 controls. This overlay aims to streamline the implementation process and provide clearer guidance for organizations to protect sensitive information effectively. Additional supplementary resources, including an FAQ document and a detailed analysis of the changes between Revision 2 and Revision 3 facilitate stakeholder feedback and support organizations in understanding and implementing the revised requirements.
If you’d like to learn more about the proposed changes to NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3, please contact us. Rizkly offers a cost-effective solution for achieving and sustaining compliance. Rizkly’s Guided Compliance as a Service (GCaaS) offering helps government contractors in transitioning to NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3. Rizkly helps you achieve compliance in a shorter timeframe and at reduced costs compared to traditional consulting solutions. Our GCaaS solution for streamlining your compliance program comes complete with SP 800-171 controls, mapping, policy templates and a certified NIST 800-171 dedicated to your success. Rizkly is the effective and affordable cybersecurity compliance solution for SMBs.