NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3 Compliance Hub

Your ultimate information resource for NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3 compliance, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) protection, and Defense Industrial Base security requirements.

🔒 CUI Protection 🛡️ 110 Requirements ⚡ DIB Compliance

Choose Your Experience Level

Get the right resources for where you are in your compliance journey

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Beginner

Introduction to NIST 800-171 fundamentals

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Intermediate

Implementation and assessment guidance

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Advanced

Compliance maintenance and CMMC integration

NIST 800-171 Overview

Understanding NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3 and its critical role in protecting Controlled Unclassified Information

What is NIST SP 800-171?

NIST Special Publication 800-171 Rev 3 (released 2024) provides security requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems.

  • Framework fundamentals
  • Rev 3 updates and changes
  • Applicability scope

Who Needs NIST 800-171?

Organizations in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) and federal contractors handling CUI must comply with NIST 800-171.

  • Defense contractors
  • Federal subcontractors
  • DIB organizations

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Understanding CUI is essential for determining NIST 800-171 applicability and scope.

  • CUI definition and categories
  • CUI marking requirements
  • CUI registry reference

Relationship to CMMC

NIST 800-171 compliance forms the foundation of CMMC Level 2 certification requirements.

  • CMMC Level 2 alignment
  • Assessment differences
  • Certification pathway

Implementation Timeline

Realistic planning for achieving full NIST 800-171 compliance.

  • Typical timeline: 6-18 months
  • Phased implementation
  • Resource requirements

Defense Industrial Base Requirements

Specific requirements and expectations for organizations in the Defense Industrial Base.

  • DFARS clause 252.204-7012
  • Contract obligations
  • Flow-down requirements

110 Security Requirements Across 14 Families

Comprehensive breakdown of NIST 800-171 security requirement families aligned with NIST 800-53

1. Access Control (AC)

Control and limit information system access to authorized users, processes, and devices.

  • 22 requirements
  • Account management
  • Least privilege principles

2. Awareness and Training (AT)

Ensure personnel are trained on security threats and organizational policies.

  • 3 requirements
  • Security awareness programs
  • Role-based training

3. Audit and Accountability (AU)

Create, protect, and retain audit records to enable monitoring and analysis.

  • 9 requirements
  • Audit log management
  • Monitoring and review

4. Configuration Management (CM)

Establish and maintain baseline configurations and inventory of systems.

  • 9 requirements
  • Baseline configurations
  • Change control processes

5. Identification and Authentication (IA)

Identify and authenticate users, processes, and devices prior to access.

  • 11 requirements
  • Multi-factor authentication
  • Identity management

6. Incident Response (IR)

Establish operational incident handling capability for organizational systems.

  • 4 requirements
  • Incident handling procedures
  • Response planning

7. Maintenance (MA)

Perform periodic and timely maintenance on systems and equipment.

  • 6 requirements
  • Controlled maintenance
  • Remote maintenance security

8. Media Protection (MP)

Protect information in printed or digital media throughout its lifecycle.

  • 9 requirements
  • Media handling and disposal
  • Data sanitization

9. Personnel Security (PS)

Ensure individuals accessing systems are trustworthy and meet requirements.

  • 2 requirements
  • Personnel screening
  • Termination procedures

10. Physical Protection (PE)

Limit physical access to information systems and facilities to authorized individuals.

  • 6 requirements
  • Physical access controls
  • Facility security

11. Risk Assessment (RA)

Periodically assess risk to organizational operations and assets.

  • 3 requirements
  • Risk assessment process
  • Vulnerability scanning

12. Security Assessment (CA)

Develop and implement plans to assess security control effectiveness.

  • 7 requirements
  • Control assessment
  • POA&M management

13. System and Communications Protection (SC)

Monitor, control, and protect communications at system boundaries.

  • 18 requirements
  • Boundary protection
  • Cryptographic protection

14. System and Information Integrity (SI)

Identify, report, and correct information system flaws in a timely manner.

  • 11 requirements
  • Flaw remediation
  • Malicious code protection

Compliance Process

Step-by-step methodology for achieving NIST 800-171 compliance

CUI Identification and Marking

First step in compliance: identify what CUI your organization handles and ensure proper marking.

  • CUI identification process
  • CUI category determination
  • Marking and labeling standards

System Security Plan (SSP) Development

Create a comprehensive SSP documenting your security controls and implementation.

  • SSP structure and content
  • Control documentation
  • System boundaries

Gap Assessment Against 110 Requirements

Conduct thorough gap assessment to identify compliance deficiencies.

  • Self-assessment methodology
  • Control evaluation
  • Gap identification

Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M)

Document remediation plans for gaps and track implementation progress.

  • POA&M development
  • Milestone tracking
  • Remediation prioritization

SPRS Score Calculation

Calculate and submit your Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) score.

  • Scoring methodology
  • Score calculation process
  • SPRS submission requirements

Implementation and Remediation

Execute remediation plans to achieve full compliance with all 110 requirements.

  • Control implementation
  • Technical solutions
  • Process establishment

CMMC Level 2 Integration

Understanding the relationship between NIST 800-171 and CMMC certification

CMMC Level 2 Alignment

CMMC Level 2 directly implements the 110 practices from NIST 800-171 requirements.

  • 110 practices mapping
  • Control alignment
  • Requirement equivalency

C3PAO Assessment Requirements

Understanding third-party assessment requirements for CMMC certification.

  • C3PAO role and responsibilities
  • Assessment methodology
  • Evidence requirements

Certification Timeline and Process

Navigate the CMMC certification process building on your NIST 800-171 compliance.

  • Pre-assessment preparation
  • Assessment execution
  • Certification maintenance

Cost Considerations

Budget planning for NIST 800-171 compliance and CMMC certification.

  • Implementation costs
  • Assessment fees
  • Technology investments

Self-Assessment vs. Third-Party Assessment

Understanding when self-assessment is sufficient versus requiring third-party validation.

  • Assessment type determination
  • Contract requirements
  • Annual vs. triennial assessments

Transition from NIST 800-171 to CMMC

Leverage your NIST 800-171 compliance for smoother CMMC certification.

  • Transition planning
  • Additional CMMC requirements
  • Documentation mapping

System Security Plan (SSP) Development

Essential guidance for creating and maintaining your System Security Plan

SSP Structure and Components

Understanding the required elements and organization of a compliant SSP.

  • SSP template and format
  • Required sections
  • Documentation standards

System Boundary Definition

Clearly define what systems and components are in scope for CUI processing.

  • Boundary identification
  • Network diagrams
  • Data flow documentation

Control Implementation Statements

Document how each of the 110 requirements is implemented in your environment.

  • Control descriptions
  • Implementation details
  • Responsible parties

Security Architecture Documentation

Comprehensive documentation of your security architecture and controls.

  • Architecture diagrams
  • Security controls mapping
  • Technology inventory

SSP Maintenance and Updates

Keep your SSP current with system changes and evolving requirements.

  • Change management process
  • Annual review requirements
  • Version control

Supporting Documentation

Compile and organize supporting policies, procedures, and evidence.

  • Policy documentation
  • Procedure manuals
  • Evidence artifacts

SPRS Score Management

Understanding and managing your Supplier Performance Risk System score

SPRS Scoring Methodology

Learn how NIST 800-171 compliance is scored in the SPRS system.

  • Scoring scale (-203 to +110)
  • Point calculation method
  • Scoring criteria

Basic Score Calculation

Calculate your organization's current SPRS score based on implemented controls.

  • Self-assessment scoring
  • Met vs. not met criteria
  • Point deductions

POA&M Impact on Scoring

Understand how documented POA&Ms affect your SPRS score.

  • POA&M scoring rules
  • Partial credit scenarios
  • Timeline considerations

SPRS Submission Requirements

Navigate the process of submitting your SPRS score in SPRS portal.

  • Portal access and registration
  • Submission procedures
  • Update frequency

Score Improvement Strategies

Prioritize remediation efforts to maximize your SPRS score improvement.

  • High-value controls
  • Quick win identification
  • Remediation prioritization

Competitive Impact

Understanding how your SPRS score affects contract awards and competitiveness.

  • Score benchmarks
  • Competitive advantages
  • Contract evaluation factors

Implementation Guidance

Practical guidance for implementing NIST 800-171 security requirements

Technology Solutions

Leverage technology tools to efficiently implement NIST 800-171 controls.

  • Security tool categories
  • Solution selection criteria
  • Integration considerations

Policy and Procedure Development

Create comprehensive policies and procedures to support control implementation.

  • Policy templates
  • Procedure documentation
  • Approval processes

Network Segmentation

Implement proper network segmentation to protect CUI environments.

  • Segmentation strategies
  • CUI enclave design
  • Access control implementation

Multi-Factor Authentication

Deploy MFA solutions to meet identification and authentication requirements.

  • MFA solution options
  • Implementation scope
  • User enrollment processes

Audit Logging and Monitoring

Establish comprehensive logging and monitoring capabilities.

  • Log collection strategies
  • SIEM implementation
  • Monitoring procedures

Incident Response Planning

Develop and maintain an effective incident response capability.

  • IR plan development
  • Team structure
  • Response procedures

Tools & Resources

Essential resources to support your NIST 800-171 compliance journey

Compliance Checklists

Comprehensive checklists covering all 110 NIST 800-171 requirements.

  • 110-requirement checklist
  • Assessment worksheets
  • Progress tracking tools

SSP Templates

Ready-to-use System Security Plan templates aligned with NIST 800-171.

  • SSP document templates
  • Control description libraries
  • Appendix templates

Policy Templates

Pre-built policy templates covering key NIST 800-171 requirement areas.

  • Information security policy
  • Access control policy
  • Incident response policy

Gap Assessment Tools

Tools to assess your current compliance posture against NIST 800-171.

  • Self-assessment tools
  • Gap analysis templates
  • Scoring calculators

POA&M Templates

Plan of Action and Milestones templates for tracking remediation efforts.

  • POA&M spreadsheets
  • Milestone tracking
  • Status reporting

Official NIST Resources

Direct links to official NIST publications and guidance documents.

  • NIST SP 800-171 Rev 3
  • Implementation guidance
  • CUI program resources

Related Compliance Frameworks

Explore other compliance frameworks relevant to defense contractors and federal agencies

Ready to Achieve NIST 800-171 Compliance?

Let CyberPoint Advisory guide you through NIST 800-171 implementation with expert consulting, proven methodologies, and comprehensive support for DIB contractors.

Get Expert Help with NIST 800-171 Compliance

Schedule a complimentary consultation with DD Budiharto, former Phillips 66 CISO