NIST 800-53 vs NIST 800-171 Simplified: Key Differences & Understanding Which Framework You Need
For organizations handling sensitive federal data, choosing the right cybersecurity framework is essential for both strong information security and regulatory compliance. Two of the most significant frameworks from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) are NIST SP 800-53 and NIST SP 800-171. While both aim to protect sensitive information within government sectors, they focus on different types of data and applications.
Understanding the distinctions between NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 can help you decide which framework best suits your needs and business goals. Below, we’ll explore each framework’s purpose, scope, and security requirements to help guide you.
An introduction to NIST SP 800-53
NIST 800-53 is a set of guidelines created by the US government to help organizations keep their information systems secure. It’s required by law under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) for all federal agencies, which means every government agency in the US has to follow it to protect sensitive data.
But the framework is not only for government agencies. If you’re a contractor, subcontractor, or vendor that handles government information or works with federal data, you might also need to comply with NIST 800-53 as part of your contract terms. This includes companies that store, process, or share federal data, even if they are private sector companies.
NIST 800-53 is a comprehensive framework, designed to apply across different types of organizations and industries. It offers a wide range of controls (or security measures) and “baselines” that can be used as starting points, allowing organizations to adapt the framework to fit its needs. This also makes NIST 800-53 a strong framework for private sector, commercial companies that have no federal goals or compliance needs, but want to follow security best practices.
Recommended reading
NIST 800-53 Compliance: What It Is and How to Achieve It
An introduction to NIST SP 800-171
NIST 800-171 was created specifically to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in nonfederal systems—meaning it’s geared toward private companies and contractors that work with the Department of Defense (DoD) but aren’t part of federal agencies. This framework is especially important for contractors and subcontractors who handle sensitive but unclassified information tied to US national security. By following NIST 800-171’s security controls, these companies can better protect CUI from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
If you’re a contractor or subcontractor providing products or services to a federal agency and handling CUI, NIST 800-171 compliance is mandatory. This requirement is usually spelled out in contracts or clauses like DFARS 252.204-7012.
So if both NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 are used within the federal government to keep sensitive data safe, what is the difference between the two?
Essentially, you can think of NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 as two different playbooks for similar games. NIST 800-53 is the big, all-encompassing guide for all types of federal data and systems, whether they're managed by the government or a partner organization. NIST 800-171 pulls out key parts of NIST 800-53 to create a lighter, more focused guide for private companies specifically handling CUI.
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NIST 800-171 Compliance: How to Comply with the Latest Revision
The relationship between NIST 800-171 and CMMC 2.0
With the introduction of the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC), the Department of Defense (DoD) has raised additional questions about compliance for contractors handling CUI. Let’s look at how NIST 800-171 and CMMC relate to each other, what CMMC adds, and how the two standards work together.
CMMC was created to enhance cybersecurity for contractors specifically working with the Department of Defense (DoD). The framework is structured as a maturity model with three levels: CMMC Level 1 covers foundational security practices — things like implementing access controls and documenting processes. CMMC Level 2 aligns with the 110 controls noted in NIST 800-171 revision 2, building on Level 1 with additional requirements to create a comprehensive security program. CMMC Level 3 further builds on Level 2 by adding 24 controls from NIST 800-172 to address advanced persistent threats.
It’s important to note that CMMC does not replace NIST 800-171 — it builds on it and verifies that organizations are meeting its requirements. NIST 800-171 is not a certifiable framework, meaning organizations cannot be “NIST 800-171 certified.” Instead, compliance is typically verified through a self-assessment, independent attestation, or customer evaluation. CMMC, on the other hand, depending on level, requires a third-party assessment and certification, giving it a formal verification layer.
Think of NIST 800-171 as the foundation. CMMC 2.0 takes this foundation and adds structure, additional requirements, and a formal certification process at higher levels.
Recommended reading
The CMMC Compliance Hub
Key differences between NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53: Purpose and applicability
NIST 800-53 serves as the most comprehensive security framework for federal information systems, with over 1,000 controls. Because of its massive scope, it has formed the basis for several derivative frameworks, where NIST or other federal agencies pull specific controls from the NIST 800-53 master list to create more focused standards. For example, FedRAMP includes controls specific to cloud service providers, CJIS includes controls specific to protecting criminal justice information, and NIST 800-171 focuses on protecting CUI.
NIST 800-53 covers a broad range of security controls for various types of federal information, while NIST 800-171 is tailored to address CUI and is more manageable for nonfederal contractors. Both frameworks provide guidelines for safeguarding federal data, but they are designed with different purposes and applications in mind.
| NIST 800-53 | NIST 800-171 | |
| Purpose | Comprehensive framework for securing federal information systems, designed to help federal agencies meet the requirements of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). | Framework based on a subset of NIST 800-53 controls, tailored to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI in nonfederal systems. |
| Applicable to | Mandatory for federal agencies and organizations working directly with federal systems. | Contractual requirement for federal contractors and subcontractors that handle CUI. |
| Control structure | 1,000+ controls organized into 20 families. Three baselines (Low, Moderate, and High) help organizations determine the level of security required based on their risk profile. | Contains 110 controls grouped into 14 families derived from NIST 800-53, tailored to be simpler and more focused for nonfederal systems. |
Comparing NIST 800-53 vs NIST 800-171 compliance requirements
NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 each outline specific controls that organizations can implement to achieve compliance, though the scope and number of controls vary between them. Let’s explore the control structures for each framework below.
NIST 800-53 baselines and controls
NIST 800-53 comprises over 1,000 controls across 20 control families, each addressing a unique aspect of information security and privacy, including Access Control, Incident Response, and Risk Assessment. These control families are organized to simplify the selection process, allowing organizations to tailor their security approach based on specific needs. While some controls apply universally, others are chosen based on an organization’s mission, system configurations, and risk profile.
The 20 NIST 800-53 control families are:
- Access Control (AC)
- Awareness and Training (AT)
- Audit and Accountability (AU)
- Assessment, Authorization, and Monitoring (CA)
- Configuration Management (CM)
- Contingency Planning (CP)
- Identification and Authentication (IA)
- Incident Response (IR)
- Maintenance (MA)
- Media Protection (MP)
- Physical and Environmental Protection (PE)
- Planning (PL)
- Program Management (PM)
- Personnel Security (PS)
- PII Processing and Transparency (PT)
- Risk Assessment (RA)
- System and Services Acquisition (SA)
- System and Communications Protection (SC)
- System and Information Integrity (SI)
- Supply Chain Risk Management (SR)
NIST 800-53 is a huge framework with over a thousand security and privacy controls. Not every organization or system needs every one of those controls — and that’s where control baselines come in. They’re like starting points or “presets” that help you figure out which controls you should be implementing based on the level of security you need.
There are three NIST 800-53 baselines: Low, Moderate, and High:
- Low Baseline: This is for systems where the impact of a security breach wouldn’t be too severe. If the information here got compromised, it would be inconvenient, but it wouldn’t cause major damage. This baseline includes the most basic set of controls to keep things reasonably secure without going overboard.
- Moderate Baseline: This baseline is for systems where a breach could have a serious impact – maybe lead to significant financial loss, reputational damage, or legal issues. The Moderate baseline includes more controls to provide a stronger layer of protection, covering a wider range of security areas.
- High Baseline: This is the top level, designed for systems where a breach would be catastrophic. Think national security-level impact or systems that protect highly sensitive personal information. The High baseline is the most extensive and includes a broad array of controls. This level is really about covering every possible angle to prevent any significant harm.
Once you choose a baseline, you can further tailor it by adding or removing controls based on what’s relevant to your specific environment. In short, baselines are like a roadmap, guiding you toward the right level of protection based on the impact level, but with flexibility built in so you can customize for your organization.
NIST 800-53 Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist as a structured approach for evaluating your adherence to NIST 800-53 requirements and overall cybersecurity posture.
NIST 800-171 controls
NIST 800-171 includes 17 control families, representing a subset of NIST 800-53 controls that focus specifically on the security of CUI within nonfederal systems. These include familiar categories like Access Control, Audit and Accountability, and Risk Assessment, designed to manage the confidentiality of CUI effectively. NIST 800-171 excludes certain control families from NIST 800-53, such as Contingency Planning and Program Management, as these are less relevant to the nonfederal CUI protection requirements.
NIST 800-171 control families:
- Access Control (AC)
- Awareness and Training (AT)
- Audit and Accountability (AU)
- Security Assessment and Monitoring (CA)
- Configuration Management (CM)
- Identification and Authentication (IA)
- Incident Response (IR)
- Maintenance (MA)
- Media Protection (MP)
- Physical Protection (PE)
- Planning (PL)
- Personnel Security (PS)
- Risk Assessment (RA)
- System and Services Acquisition (SA)
- System and Communications Protection (SC)
- System and Information Integrity (SI)
- Supply Chain Risk Management (SR)
NIST 800-171 Compliance Checklist
Use this checklist to guide your organization through the NIST 800-171 compliance process and protect CUI within your organization.
Which NIST framework is right for your organization?
Deciding between NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 depends on the type of data your organization handles and your relationship with federal agencies.
If your organization is part of a federal agency or works directly with federal information systems, NIST 800-53 is likely the required standard. For contractors or subcontractors managing CUI for federal clients but not directly working within federal systems, NIST 800-171 is designed to meet those specific compliance needs. If you’re working with an organization that is working with the DoD, that could be another reason that NIST 800-171 may apply to your organization. Understanding the nature of the information you handle and your contractual obligations will guide you toward the correct framework.
To better decide if you need to comply with NIST 800-171 or NIST 800-53, you can ask yourself the following questions:
Am I a federal agency or do I directly support federal information systems?
If you’re part of a federal agency or provide services directly supporting federal systems, you’ll need to follow NIST 800-53 as required under FISMA.
Does my organization process or manage sensitive federal data outside a federal system?
If you manage sensitive federal data but do not operate within a federal system, NIST 800-171 compliance is typically required to ensure the protection of that data, particularly if you’re handling CUI.
What are my federal contract requirements?
Review your contracts and any clauses that refer to DFARS, FISMA, or other federal security standards. These may specify which framework is required for compliance based on the nature of your work and the data you handle.
Am I required to obtain CMMC?
If you’re a DoD contractor or subcontractor, you’ll need to comply with CMMC 2.0, and you should look at implementing NIST 800-171.
Am I handling highly sensitive or classified federal data?
If your organization deals with classified or highly sensitive information within federal systems, NIST 800-53 is usually required, as it covers a broader and more detailed set of controls to protect high-impact data. Specifically, NIST 800-53 moderate or NIST 800-53 high would be recommended for more sensitive data.
Do I want to strengthen my cybersecurity practices as a federal contractor, even if not mandated?
Some organizations voluntarily adopt NIST 800-53 for its thorough security framework, even if NIST 800-171 is the minimum requirement. This can help you establish best-in-class security measures and prepare you for future compliance needs.
The Ultimate Guide to Federal Frameworks
Get an overview of the most common federal frameworks, who they apply to, and what their requirements are.
Strengthening your cybersecurity posture with NIST compliance
NIST 800-53 and NIST 800-171 both provide a solid foundation for a strong security program. Tools like Secureframe can simplify the compliance process by automating tasks such as gap analysis, evidence collection, document management, control monitoring, and more.
- Federal compliance expertise: A dedicated support team with former FISMA, FedRAMP, and CMMC auditors and consultants who can guide you through federal readiness, audits, and compliance updates
- Integrations to federal clouds: Automatic evidence collection across your existing tech stack, including government cloud variants like AWS GovCloud
- Prebuilt and custom policies, procedures, and templates: Customizable policies and procedures to meet your needs, plus additional templates including Separations of Duties Matrix, System Security Plan, POA&M documents, Impact Assessments, and readiness checklists
- In-platform training: Proprietary employee training that meets federal requirements including insider threat and role-based training, reviewed and updated annually by compliance experts
- Role-based access controls: Data access controls based on roles and need-to-know basis
- Custom controls and tests: Support for organizationally-defined implementations for NIST 800-53 and other frameworks
- Trusted partner network: Relationships with certified Third Party Assessment Organizations (3PAOs) and CMMC 3PAOs (C3PAOs) supporting various federal audits
- Cross-mapping across frameworks: Automated control mapping across all frameworks for an efficient compliance program
- Continuous monitoring: 24/7 monitoring to alert you of non-conformities, plus a risk register and vulnerability scanning support for continuous monitoring and POA&M maintenance
To learn more about how Secureframe can help you achieve NIST compliance, schedule a demo today.
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FAQs
What is the difference between NIST 800-171 and NIST 800-53?
NIST special publication 800-53 is a comprehensive security framework designed to protect federal information systems, with controls applicable to a wide range of federal government data and systems. NIST 800-171, on the other hand, is a subset of controls from NIST 800-53, specifically tailored to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in nonfederal systems, particularly for contractors and subcontractors handling government data.
What is the NIST 800-171 to 800-53 crosswalk?
The NIST 800-171 to 800-53 crosswalk is a mapping document that shows how each control in NIST 800-171 aligns with corresponding controls in NIST 800-53. This crosswalk helps organizations understand which specific NIST 800-53 controls are covered by NIST 800-171, making it easier to implement consistent security measures across both frameworks when needed.
What is NIST 800-53 used for?
NIST 800-53 is used as a security standard for federal information systems, helping government agencies and their contractors establish and manage secure information systems. It provides a broad set of security and privacy controls to protect sensitive government data from security risks and ensure compliance with regulations like FISMA (an update to the Federal Information Security Management Act).
What is NIST 800-171 used for?
NIST 800-171 is used to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) within nonfederal systems, primarily by contractors and subcontractors who handle sensitive but unclassified federal information. It helps these organizations implement essential security controls to safeguard CUI, especially when working with federal agencies like the Department of Defense.