NIST 800-171

NIST 800-171 compliance: A checklist

The NIST 800-171 standard is a set of guidelines published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems and organizations. It outlines security requirements that must be implemented by contractors and subcontractors working with the U.S. government to safeguard sensitive information.

Compliance with NIST 800-171 involves measures such as access control, encryption, incident response, and security training to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of CUI. Failure to adhere to these requirements can result in penalties and loss of contracts with federal agencies.

1. Conduct a security assessment to identify gaps
2. Develop a System Security Plan (SSP)
3. Implement security controls to address identified gaps
4. Establish a plan of action and milestones (POA&M) for any incomplete controls
5. Monitor, assess, and continuously improve security measures

Challenges of complying with NIST 800-171

An organization might face challenges in implementing NIST 800-171 due to the complexity of the requirements, which can be difficult to interpret and apply to their specific systems and processes.

Another challenge could be the cost associated with implementing the necessary security controls and measures to meet the standards set by NIST 800-171, which could strain the organization's budget and resources.

Furthermore, ensuring ongoing compliance with NIST 800-171 may be challenging due to the evolving nature of cybersecurity threats and the need to regularly update and adapt security measures to address new vulnerabilities.

Addressing NIST 800-171 requirements with an Enterprise Browser

Organizations contracting with the Department of Defense (DoD) must address NIST 800-171 requirements to ensure that they are “bid compliant” and eligible for contracts.The requirements are based upon the hygiene of the systems and applications interacting with DOD controlled unclassified information (CUI) and a subsequent audit of those controls called Cyber Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). Island Enterprise Browser allows organizations to create application boundaries around DOD CUI data and applications, reducing the size and complexity of the certification.By creating secure application boundaries and embedding robust controls, Island ensures information stays within authorized systems, reducing audit scope and risk.