Standards Comparison

    NIST 800-53

    Mandatory
    2020

    U.S. federal catalog of security and privacy controls

    VS

    FSSC 22000

    Voluntary
    2023

    GFSI-benchmarked certification for food safety management systems.

    Quick Verdict

    NIST 800-53 provides flexible security/privacy controls for information systems across industries, while FSSC 22000 mandates food safety certification for food chain organizations. Companies adopt NIST for risk management and FSSC for GFSI market access.

    Security Controls

    NIST 800-53

    NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5 Security and Privacy Controls

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    Medium
    Implementation Time
    12-18 months

    Key Features

    • Integrates security and privacy into unified catalog
    • 20 families including Supply Chain Risk Management
    • Outcome-based controls for flexible implementation
    • Tailorable Low/Moderate/High plus Privacy baselines
    • OSCAL machine-readable formats enable automation
    Food Safety

    FSSC 22000

    Food Safety System Certification 22000

    Cost
    €€€€
    Complexity
    High
    Implementation Time
    6-12 months

    Key Features

    • GFSI-benchmarked FSMS certification scheme
    • Integrates ISO 22000 with sector PRPs
    • Additional requirements for food defense and fraud
    • Covers full food chain categories B-K
    • Mandates food safety culture objectives

    Detailed Analysis

    A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.

    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 flexible framework catalogs standardized safeguards to protect confidentiality, integrity, availability, and privacy risks. It employs a risk-informed, outcome-based approach, shifting from checklists to tailored risk management.

    Key Components

    • 20 control families (e.g., AC Access Control, SR Supply Chain, PT PII Transparency)
    • Over 1,100 controls and enhancements with parameters
    • Baselines in SP 800-53B: Low/Moderate/High impact levels plus Privacy baseline
    • Integrated with RMF (SP 800-37) and assessments (SP 800-53A)
    • OSCAL for machine-readable automation

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Complies with FISMA, OMB A-130 for federal agencies/contractors
    • Enhances risk management, operational resilience
    • Enables reciprocity, automation, cross-framework mappings
    • Builds stakeholder trust, competitive advantage in regulated industries

    Implementation Overview

    • **RMF lifecycleCategorize, select/tailor baselines, implement, assess, authorize, monitor
    • Document SSPs, POA&Ms; continuous evidence collection
    • Applies to federal, contractors, voluntary adopters; ATO audits required for federal systems

    FSSC 22000 Details

    What It Is

    FSSC 22000 (Food Safety System Certification 22000) is a GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme for Food Safety Management Systems (FSMS). It applies across food chain categories like manufacturing, packaging, and logistics. The scheme uses a risk-based, PDCA management system approach via ISO 22000:2018.

    Key Components

    • Three pillars: ISO 22000:2018, sector-specific PRPs (e.g., ISO/TS 22002 series), and FSSC Additional Requirements (e.g., food defense, fraud, allergens).
    • Covers clauses 4–10 of ISO 22000; no fixed control count, focuses on integrated FSMS.
    • Built on HACCP principles; requires third-party certification by licensed bodies.

    Why Organizations Use It

    • Meets retailer/buyer demands for GFSI recognition; enables global market access.
    • Reduces recalls, enhances supply chain trust; voluntary but often contractually required.
    • Improves risk management, culture, and sustainability (SDGs).
    • Builds reputation via public register.

    Implementation Overview

    • Phased: gap analysis, FSMS design, training, audits (Stage 1/2).
    • For food chain organizations worldwide; 6–24 months typical.
    • Involves CB audits per ISO 22003-1; surveillance/recertification cycles.

    Key Differences

    Scope

    NIST 800-53
    Security/privacy controls for info systems
    FSSC 22000
    Food safety management systems

    Industry

    NIST 800-53
    All sectors, federal/non-federal, global
    FSSC 22000
    Food chain sectors, global food industry

    Nature

    NIST 800-53
    Voluntary control catalog/framework
    FSSC 22000
    GFSI-benchmarked certification scheme

    Testing

    NIST 800-53
    RMF assessments, continuous monitoring
    FSSC 22000
    CB audits, surveillance/recertification

    Penalties

    NIST 800-53
    No legal penalties, loss of ATO
    FSSC 22000
    Loss of certification, market exclusion

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions about NIST 800-53 and FSSC 22000

    NIST 800-53 FAQ

    FSSC 22000 FAQ

    You Might also be Interested in These Articles...

    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.

    100+ Standards & Regulations
    AI-Powered Insights
    Collaborative Assessments
    Actionable Recommendations

    Check out these other Gradum.io Standards Comparison Pages