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Federal Security Controls Excellence

Master NIST 800-53 Federal Security Controls

Your comprehensive resource for NIST 800-53 compliance fundamentals, Risk Management Framework (RMF), and Authorization to Operate (ATO) process. Expert guidance from a former Fortune 500 CISO for federal agencies and government contractors.

1000+ Security Controls
20 Control Families
6-Step RMF Process
Schedule Federal Compliance Consultation → Explore RMF Resources ↓

Choose Your Experience Level

Get the right resources for where you are in your NIST 800-53 compliance journey

Beginner

New to NIST 800-53? Start here with foundational concepts, understanding the 20 control families, and the basics of the Risk Management Framework (RMF).

Intermediate

Implementing controls? Access guidance on control implementation, creating System Security Plans (SSPs), and preparing for security assessments.

Advanced

Already authorized? Learn advanced strategies for continuous monitoring (Step 6), maintaining your ATO, and optimizing your security posture.

NIST 800-53 Overview

Understanding the fundamentals of NIST 800-53 and why it's critical for federal agencies and contractors

What is NIST 800-53?

NIST Special Publication 800-53 Rev 5 is the authoritative catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations, mandated by FISMA for federal agencies.

  • Legally required for federal agencies under FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act)
  • 1000+ controls across 20 control families with baseline configurations
  • 3 impact levels: Low (325 controls), Moderate (365), High (421 controls)

Why NIST 800-53 is Critical

NIST 800-53 is the foundation of federal cybersecurity. Required for FISMA compliance, FedRAMP authorization, and DoD contracts - it's non-negotiable for government work.

  • Contract enablement: Required for federal agency contracts and DoD work
  • Risk management: Comprehensive framework prevents data breaches and security incidents
  • FedRAMP gateway: Foundation for cloud service providers serving federal customers
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NIST 800-53 vs 800-171

NIST 800-53 applies to federal systems, while 800-171 applies to contractors handling CUI. Understanding the difference is critical for compliance planning.

  • NIST 800-53: Federal agencies & systems (FISMA/FedRAMP)
  • NIST 800-171: Contractors with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
  • Relationship: 800-171 derived from 800-53 Moderate baseline

20 Security Control Families

Comprehensive overview of all NIST 800-53 control families with implementation guidance

AC - Access Control

Controls for granting or denying access to information systems. Includes account management, least privilege, separation of duties, and remote access controls.

  • 25 control families (AC-1 through AC-25)
  • Critical: Least privilege, role-based access, MFA
  • Applies to: All impact levels

Get Expert NIST 800-53 Guidance

Schedule a free consultation with our former Fortune 500 CISO to discuss your federal compliance needs