NIST 800-171
U.S. standard protecting CUI in nonfederal systems
CIS Controls
Prioritized cybersecurity best practices framework
Quick Verdict
NIST 800-171 mandates CUI safeguards for federal contractors via contracts, while CIS Controls offer voluntary, prioritized hygiene for all organizations. Contractors adopt 800-171 for compliance; others use CIS for risk reduction and broad framework alignment.
NIST 800-171
NIST SP 800-171: Protecting CUI in Nonfederal Systems
Key Features
- Protects CUI confidentiality in nonfederal systems
- 110 requirements across 14 security families
- Mandates SSP and POA&M documentation
- Enables CUI enclave scoping for boundaries
- DFARS-required for DoD contractor compliance
CIS Controls
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1
Key Features
- 18 prioritized controls with 153 actionable safeguards
- Scalable Implementation Groups IG1-IG3
- Offense-informed, community-driven best practices
- Mappings to NIST, ISO, PCI DSS frameworks
- Free Benchmarks and assessment tools
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
NIST 800-171 Details
What It Is
NIST SP 800-171 Revision 3 is a U.S. government framework providing security requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) confidentiality in nonfederal systems. Tailored from SP 800-53 Moderate baseline, it uses a control-based, risk-commensurate approach for contractors and supply chains, applicable to components processing, storing, or transmitting CUI.
Key Components
- 97-110 requirements (r3/r2) organized into 14-17 families like Access Control, Audit, Configuration Management.
- Built on FIPS 200 and SP 800-53; includes SP 800-171A assessment procedures.
- Core artifacts: System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).
- Compliance via self-assessment or third-party audits like CMMC Level 2.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandated by DFARS 252.204-7012 for DoD contractors handling CDI; ensures contract eligibility, reduces breach risks, builds stakeholder trust. Provides competitive edge in federal procurement and supply chain resilience.
Implementation Overview
Phased approach: scope CUI enclave, gap analysis, implement controls (MFA, SIEM), document SSP/POA&M. Suits all sizes, especially defense contractors; requires ongoing monitoring, no universal certification but CMMC for DoD.
CIS Controls Details
What It Is
CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) v8.1 is a community-driven, prescriptive cybersecurity framework of prioritized best practices to reduce cyber risks. It focuses on actionable safeguards across hybrid environments, emphasizing governance, asset management, and resilience against common threats.
Key Components
- 18 controls with 153 safeguards, organized into Implementation Groups (IG1–IG3) for scalability.
- Core areas: asset inventory, data protection, access management, vulnerability management, incident response.
- Built on offense-informed principles; maps to NIST, ISO 27001, PCI DSS.
- No formal certification; compliance via self-assessment and audits.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates breaches, accelerates regulatory compliance, lowers costs.
- Builds trust with insurers, partners; enables competitive differentiation.
- Risk reduction via prioritized hygiene; operational efficiency gains.
Implementation Overview
- Phased roadmap: governance, discovery, foundational controls, expansion, assurance.
- Applies to all sizes/industries; tools like CIS Benchmarks aid execution.
- Involves automation, metrics, cross-functional teams; 9–18 months typical.
Key Differences
| Aspect | NIST 800-171 | CIS Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | CUI protection in nonfederal systems, 17 families | Prioritized cyber hygiene, 18 controls 153 safeguards |
| Industry | Defense contractors, federal supply chain primarily | All industries, organization sizes worldwide |
| Nature | Contractual NIST standard, mandatory via DFARS | Voluntary best practices framework |
| Testing | SP 800-171A procedures, CMMC assessments | Self-assessments, IG-based maturity checks |
| Penalties | Contract loss, ineligibility, DFARS penalties | No legal penalties, reputational risk only |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NIST 800-171 and CIS Controls
NIST 800-171 FAQ
CIS Controls FAQ
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