NIST 800-171
U.S. standard protecting CUI in nonfederal systems
NERC CIP
Mandatory standards for BES cybersecurity and reliability
Quick Verdict
NIST 800-171 safeguards CUI for defense contractors via tailored controls and assessments, while NERC CIP mandates cyber/physical protections for electric utilities to ensure grid reliability. Organizations adopt them for contractual compliance and operational resilience against critical risks.
NIST 800-171
NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3: Protecting CUI
Key Features
- Scoped applicability to CUI-processing components only
- 110 tailored security requirements across 14 families
- Mandatory SSP and POA&M for evidence documentation
- Supports CUI enclave isolation for scoping
- Contractual enforcement via DFARS 252.204-7012 clause
NERC CIP
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection Standards
Key Features
- Risk-based BES Cyber System impact tiering
- Electronic and Physical Security Perimeters
- 35-day patch evaluation and monitoring cadence
- Mandatory incident reporting and annual audits
- Supply chain risk management requirements
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 to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) confidentiality in nonfederal systems. Its primary scope targets federal contractors and supply chains, using a control-based approach tailored from NIST SP 800-53 Moderate baseline.
Key Components
- 17 families (e.g., Access Control, Audit, Supply Chain Risk Management) with ~97 requirements in Rev 3.
- Core elements: System Security Plan (SSP), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), assessment procedures in SP 800-171A Rev 3.
- Built on FIPS 200 moderate-impact assumptions, with tailoring for nonfederal applicability.
- Compliance via self-assessment or third-party audits like CMMC Level 2.
Why Organizations Use It
- Meets contractual mandates (e.g., DFARS 252.204-7012) for DoD eligibility.
- Reduces breach risks, enhances resilience, builds stakeholder trust.
- Provides competitive edge in federal procurement.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping CUI enclave, gap analysis, control deployment, evidence collection.
- Applies to contractors handling CUI; timelines 6-36 months by size.
- Requires SSP/POA&M submission, continuous monitoring.
NERC CIP Details
What It Is
NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards are mandatory U.S. reliability regulations enforced by FERC. They protect the Bulk Electric System (BES) from cyber and physical threats that could cause misoperation or instability. The approach is risk-based tiering, categorizing BES Cyber Systems as High, Medium, or Low impact to apply proportional controls.
Key Components
- Core areas: asset identification (CIP-002), governance (CIP-003), personnel/training (CIP-004), perimeters (CIP-005/006), system security (CIP-007), incident response/recovery (CIP-008/009), configuration management (CIP-010), supply chain (CIP-013).
- ~14 standards with detailed requirements and recurring cycles (e.g., 35-day patching, 15-month reviews).
- Built on audit-enforced compliance via Regional Entities.
Why Organizations Use It
- Legal mandate for BES owners/operators to avoid multimillion-dollar fines.
- Enhances grid reliability, reduces outage risks, lowers insurance costs.
- Builds stakeholder trust, enables market access.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: scoping, gap analysis, controls, audits.
- Targets utilities/transmission entities in North America.
- Requires annual audits, no formal certification but ongoing enforcement. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | NIST 800-171 | NERC CIP |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | CUI confidentiality in nonfederal systems | BES reliability via cyber/physical protection |
| Industry | Defense contractors, federal supply chain | Electric utilities, grid operators |
| Nature | Contractual NIST requirements | Mandatory FERC-enforced standards |
| Testing | SP 800-171A examine/interview/test | Audits, 15/35-day cadences, exercises |
| Penalties | Contract loss, CMMC ineligibility | FERC fines up to $1M per violation |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NIST 800-171 and NERC CIP
NIST 800-171 FAQ
NERC CIP FAQ
You Might also be Interested in These Articles...
What is DORA and which Requirements does the Standard define?
Discover DORA requirements for info security, strict authority monitoring, and steps to achieve compliance. Build a resilient organization with our detailed gui
Top 10 Reasons ISO 27701 is the Ultimate Privacy Boost for Your ISO 27001 ISMS in 2025
Extend ISO 27001 with ISO 27701 for ultimate privacy governance amid GDPR & AI regs. Discover top 10 advantages like integrated audits to future-proof your ISMS
SOC 2 Audit Survival Guide: 10 Red Flags Auditors Flag and Model Answers for Walkthroughs
Master SOC 2 Type 2 audits with our guide: 10 red flags like incomplete logs/vendor gaps, model walkthrough answers, psychology tips. Pass first-time with <5% e
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
ISO 50001 vs ISO 21001
Discover ISO 50001 vs ISO 21001: Energy mastery meets learner excellence. Compare EnMS & EOMS for peak performance, compliance & gains—read now!
PCI DSS vs ISO 17025
Discover PCI DSS vs ISO 17025: Compare payment security standards & lab competence requirements. Key differences, benefits & compliance tips revealed!
FSSC 22000 vs ISO 21001
Compare FSSC 22000 vs ISO 21001: GFSI food safety powerhouse vs ed mgmt system. Unlock compliance, risk control & excellence. Ideal for food chain or learning pros—discover now!