ENERGY STAR
U.S. voluntary program for energy-efficient products and buildings
NIST 800-171
U.S. standard for protecting CUI in nonfederal systems.
Quick Verdict
ENERGY STAR drives voluntary energy efficiency certification for products and buildings via third-party testing, while NIST 800-171 mandates CUI protection for contractors through assessments and SSPs. Companies adopt ENERGY STAR for cost savings and branding; NIST for contract compliance.
ENERGY STAR
U.S. EPA ENERGY STAR Program
Key Features
- Third-party certification and ongoing verification testing
- Category-specific performance thresholds above federal minimums
- Portfolio Manager for building benchmarking and scoring
- Strict brand governance and mark usage rules
- Proven 5 trillion kWh cumulative energy savings
NIST 800-171
NIST SP 800-171 Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems
Key Features
- Protects CUI confidentiality in nonfederal contractor systems
- 17 control families with SSP and POA&M requirements
- Scoped applicability to CUI-processing components only
- Assessment procedures via SP 800-171A examine/interview/test
- FedRAMP Moderate equivalence for cloud services
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
ENERGY STAR Details
What It Is
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. government-backed voluntary labeling and benchmarking program administered by the EPA since 1992, in coordination with DOE. It promotes superior energy efficiency across products, homes, commercial buildings, and industrial plants through category-specific performance thresholds, standardized testing, and independent verification.
Key Components
- Performance thresholds (e.g., 15% above federal minimums for appliances)
- DOE-referenced test procedures and third-party certification
- Portfolio Manager for 1-100 building scores (75+ for certification)
- Ongoing verification testing (5-20% annually) and brand governance rules Certification requires EPA-recognized labs/CBs and annual renewals for buildings.
Why Organizations Use It
Drives $500B+ cost savings, 4B metric tons GHG avoided; unlocks rebates, procurement preferences. Builds trust via credible labeling (90% consumer recognition), enhances ESG reporting, reduces operational risks amid tightening regulations.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: assess gaps, test/certify products or benchmark buildings, deploy with labeling compliance, monitor via verification. Suits all sizes/industries; requires data governance, training, EMS integration. Third-party audits mandatory for sustained certification.
NIST 800-171 Details
What It Is
NIST SP 800-171 (Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations) is a U.S. government framework providing security requirements for safeguarding CUI confidentiality. It targets nonfederal systems processing, storing, or transmitting CUI, using a control-based approach tailored from NIST SP 800-53 Moderate baseline.
Key Components
- 17 families in Rev 3 (e.g., Access Control, Audit, Supply Chain Risk Management), with ~97-110 requirements.
- Core elements: SSP, POA&M, assessment procedures (SP 800-171A).
- Built on FIPS 200 and risk-based tailoring; supports FedRAMP Moderate equivalence.
- Compliance via self-assessment or third-party audits (e.g., CMMC Level 2).
Why Organizations Use It
- Mandatory for federal contractors via DFARS 252.204-7012.
- Reduces breach risks, ensures contract eligibility, builds supply chain trust.
- Enhances cybersecurity maturity, competitive edge in DoD procurement.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping, gap analysis, controls, documentation, monitoring.
- Applies to contractors handling CUI; scales by organization size.
- Requires audits for high-assurance (e.g., CMMC); timelines 6-36 months.
Key Differences
| Aspect | ENERGY STAR | NIST 800-171 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Energy efficiency in products, buildings, plants | CUI confidentiality in nonfederal systems |
| Industry | All sectors, consumer/commercial products | Defense contractors, federal supply chain |
| Nature | Voluntary labeling/benchmarking program | Contractual security requirements baseline |
| Testing | Third-party lab/certification bodies, verification | Examine/interview/test assessments, SSP/POA&M |
| Penalties | Delisting, label misuse enforcement | Contract ineligibility, DFARS violations |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about ENERGY STAR and NIST 800-171
ENERGY STAR FAQ
NIST 800-171 FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
What if the EU would not have made GDPR mandatory...
Explore a world without mandatory GDPR: How would organizations manage data? What data privacy regs would emerge? Uncover impacts on businesses and privacy laws
ISO 27701 Standalone Certification in 2025: Debunking Myths and Navigating the New Reality
Debunk myths on ISO 27701 standalone certification post-2025. Clarify viability, accreditation bodies, ISO 27001 audit differences & procurement benefits. Guide
Measuring CIS Controls v8.1 in the Real World: KPIs, Dashboards, and Automated Evidence for Continuous Assurance
Master CIS Controls v8.1 measurement with essential KPIs, executive-ready dashboards, and automated evidence collection for continuous assurance. Make complianc
Run Maturity Assessments with GRADUM
Transform your compliance journey with our AI-powered assessment platform
Assess your organization's maturity across multiple standards and regulations including ISO 27001, DORA, NIS2, NIST, GDPR, and hundreds more. Get actionable insights and track your progress with collaborative, AI-powered evaluations.
Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages
NERC CIP vs CIS Controls
Compare NERC CIP vs CIS Controls: Vital standards for BES cyber-security & reliability. Uncover synergies, gaps, and strategies to boost grid compliance & defense. Align now!
CSL (Cyber Security Law of China) vs ISO 21001
Compare CSL (China Cybersecurity Law) vs ISO 21001: Master data localization, compliance risks & ed mgmt systems. Turn obligations into strategic wins—expert guide now!
PMBOK vs BRC
PMBOK vs BRC: Compare project governance standards with food safety frameworks. Unlock tailoring, compliance strategies & implementation insights for optimal success. Dive in now!