GDPR
EU regulation for personal data protection and privacy rights
NIST 800-53
Federal catalog of security and privacy controls
Quick Verdict
GDPR mandates privacy compliance for EU data globally with hefty fines, while NIST 800-53 offers voluntary security/privacy controls for US federal systems. Companies adopt GDPR to avoid penalties and NIST for robust risk management and contracts.
GDPR
Regulation (EU) 2016/679 General Data Protection Regulation
Key Features
- Extraterritorial scope applies to non-EU entities targeting EU subjects
- Accountability principle requires demonstrable compliance measures
- Fines up to 4% of global annual turnover for violations
- 72-hour mandatory breach notification to authorities
- Enhanced data subject rights including right to erasure
NIST 800-53
NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5
Key Features
- 20 control families integrating security and privacy
- Low/moderate/high baselines aligned to FIPS 199
- Privacy baseline applied irrespective of impact level
- Supply Chain Risk Management (SR) family
- OSCAL machine-readable formats for automation
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
GDPR Details
What It Is
Regulation (EU) 2016/679, known as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), is a directly applicable EU law. It modernizes data privacy, protecting personal data of EU individuals with global reach via extraterritorial scope. Employs accountability and risk-based approach for lawful processing.
Key Components
- Seven core principles: lawfulness, purpose limitation, minimization, accuracy, storage limitation, integrity/confidentiality, accountability.
- Enhanced data subject rights (access, rectification, erasure, portability, objection).
- Obligations like DPIAs, DPO appointment, 72-hour breach notification.
- Enforcement via fines up to 4% global turnover; no certification but compliance demonstration required.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated for EU data processors; reduces legal risks, builds trust, enables global operations. Mitigates fines/reputation damage; inspires worldwide standards like LGPD, CCPA.
Implementation Overview
Involves gap analysis, policy updates, training, DPIAs, vendor contracts. Applies to all sizes processing EU data; ongoing audits essential, especially post-Schrems II transfers.
NIST 800-53 Details
What It Is
NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5 is the U.S. federal government's authoritative catalog of security and privacy controls for information systems and organizations. This control-based framework provides standardized safeguards to protect confidentiality, integrity, availability, and privacy risks, using a risk-informed, outcome-based approach integrated with the Risk Management Framework (RMF).
Key Components
- 20 control families (e.g., AC Access Control, SR Supply Chain Risk Management) with over 1,100 base controls and enhancements.
- Baselines in SP 800-53B: low/moderate/high impact per FIPS 199, plus privacy baseline.
- Tailoring, overlays, parameters for customization; OSCAL for machine-readable formats.
- Compliance via RMF: select, implement, assess (SP 800-53A), authorize, monitor.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets FISMA/OMB A-130 mandates for federal systems/contractors.
- Enhances risk management, resilience, reciprocity of evidence.
- Builds trust, enables FedRAMP, differentiates in markets.
Implementation Overview
- **Phased RMFcategorize, baseline select/tailor, implement, assess, monitor.
- Applies to federal/non-federal; all sizes, esp. handling CUI/PII.
- No formal certification; audits via ATO/continuous monitoring.
Key Differences
| Aspect | GDPR | NIST 800-53 |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Personal data privacy and protection | Security and privacy controls catalog |
| Industry | All sectors, global reach to EU data | Federal systems, voluntary for private sector |
| Nature | Mandatory EU regulation with fines | Voluntary control framework for risk management |
| Testing | DPIAs for high-risk, DPA audits | SP 800-53A assessments, continuous monitoring |
| Penalties | Up to 4% global turnover fines | No direct fines, compliance via contracts |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about GDPR and NIST 800-53
GDPR FAQ
NIST 800-53 FAQ
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