Your journey to compliance starts here

NIST SP 800-series

Bravo Cybersecurity & Compliance Logo
What is NIST question mark icon

What is NIST?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a federal agency that is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The purpose of NIST is to establish a level of uniformity when it comes to our nation’s cybersecurity efforts by providing standards and guidelines in order to ensure that data is adequately protected.  

NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC

DIB contractors will notice that CMMC levels 2 and 3 align closely with NIST SP 800-171. To learn more about how we can support your CMMC compliance journey, click here. 

What is included in the NIST SP 800-series?

While the NIST SP 800-series consists of a large variety of publications, the following are the primary publications that are at the forefront of today’s cybersecurity standards for U.S. federal agencies and government contractors: 

Nist SP 800 series graphic

Why is it important to comply with NIST?

As the number of data breaches continues to rise, it is crucial that we increase our efforts to keep our most sensitive information safe and secure. By improving the security of sensitive data within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), this will effectively minimize the risk of losing some of our country’s most critical and valuable information. As a result, we will be able to maintain an overall stronger national security.  

Data protection icon

Who does the NIST SP 800-series impact?

Anyone who does business with the United States government must be compliant with NIST. This includes government contractors (both prime and subcontractors) and federal agencies within the United States. 

Here For All Your Compliance Needs

Explore Our Other Services

In addition, we also offer services for FERPA, PCI, HIPAA, CIS, and more! Fill out the form below to learn more about how Bravo can assist you! 

Your Trusted Compliance Partner

Bravo can take the strain of compliance of your shoulders so that you can get back to focusing on what is most important. NIST SP 800 controls can seemingly be full of grey areas and extremely complex. Attempting to navigate the ins and outs of compliance alone can be extremely time-consuming and drain your organization’s pockets. No matter the size of your organization, there is no denying that NIST compliance is a big lift. That’s why Bravo is here to help! Our compliance experts can streamline your journey to compliance and cure your compliance headache. 

Step 1 capture icon

Gap Assessment

The initial step our compliance experts will take is evaluating your current environment and identifying any holes in your security. We will do so by conducting an analysis to determine your organization’s current security posture. From there, you can sit back while our experts get to work and implement our process that will help streamline your journey to compliance.  

Step 2 align icon

Build a System Security Plan and POA&M

Once we have addressed your organization’s security gaps, it is time to develop your unique SSP (System Security Plan) and POA&M (Plan of Actions & Milestones). Your SSP will keep tabs on any major updates that are made to your overall security posture, and your POA&M will provide an actionable to-do list. These two items are required to get your organization on the road toward compliance and the ability to work with the Federal Government. 

Step 3 configure icon

Remediation

Our experts will begin remediation by addressing the low hanging fruit and then working to check off everything outlined in your POA&M. During remediation, our experts will write up policies, implement the necessary technical controls, and even develop an incident response plan for your organization so that you are fully prepared in the event that a security breach occurs.  

Bravo Has Your Back

Bravo helps contractors and federal agencies easily achieve compliance with NIST. We can help pave the way for your digital transformation, streamline the compliance process, and save you a lot of precious time and money along the way! Fill out the form below to get in touch with our compliance experts and start your NIST compliance journey today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

According to NIST, the purpose of NIST SP 800-171 is to “provide federal agencies with recommended security requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI:

  1. when the CUI is resident in a nonfederal system and organization;
  2. when the nonfederal organization is not collecting or maintaining information on behalf of a federal agency or using or operating a system on behalf of an agency; and
  3. where there are no specific safeguarding requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI prescribed by the authorizing law, regulation, or governmentwide policy for the CUI category listed in the CUI Registry.

According to NIST, NIST SP 800-53establishes controls for systems and organizations. The controls can be implemented within any organization or system that processes, stores, or transmits information.” 

According to NIST, NIST SP 800-207 is “intended to describe zero trust for enterprise security architects. It is meant to aid understanding of zero trust for civilian unclassified systems and provide a road map to migrate and deploy zero trust security concepts to an enterprise environment.” If your organization needs help implementing Zero Trust, you can learn more here. 

According to NARA, “Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with applicable law, regulations, and government-wide policies but is not classified under Executive Order 13526 or the Atomic Energy Act, as amended.” 

If your organization or a subcontractor fails to comply with NIST, you may be subject to severe consequences such as expensive fines or even face time in prison. 

Blue 3D Journey logo
Why Bravo

Committed to helping our customers soar to new heights.

14+ Years of Experience

Bravo's deep experience and proven methodologies embody best practices and will ensure you make the most of your digital transformation.

Make the Impossible Possible

Time and time again, we have proven our commitment to our customers by ensuring their needs are met - no matter what it takes.

Microsoft Gold Partner

Bravo's team of Microsoft-certified engineers have managed millions of users in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.

White Glove Approach

Bravo has your back every step of the way. We pride ourselves on our strong client centric culture and strive to provide unparalleled customer experience and quality throughout delivery.

What is NIST?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a federal agency that is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The purpose of NIST is to establish a level of uniformity when it comes to our nation’s cybersecurity efforts by providing standards and guidelines in order to ensure that data is adequately protected.  

NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC

DIB contractors will notice that CMMC levels 2 and 3 align closely with NIST SP 800-171. To learn more about how we can support your CMMC compliance journey, click here. 

What is included in the NIST SP 800-series?

While the NIST SP 800-series consists of a large variety of publications, the following are the primary publications that are at the forefront of today’s cybersecurity standards for U.S. federal agencies and government contractors: 

Nist SP 800 series graphic

Why is it important to comply with NIST?

As the number of data breaches continues to rise, it is crucial that we increase our efforts to keep our most sensitive information safe and secure. By improving the security of sensitive data within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), this will effectively minimize the risk of losing some of our country’s most critical and valuable information. As a result, we will be able to maintain an overall stronger national security.  

Who does the NIST SP 800-series impact?

Anyone who does business with the United States government must be compliant with NIST. This includes government contractors (both prime and subcontractors) and federal agencies within the United States. 

Here For All Your Compliance Needs

Explore Our Other Services

In addition, we also offer services for FERPA, PCI, HIPAA, CIS, and more! Fill out the form below to learn more about how Bravo can assist you! 

Your Trusted Compliance Partner

Bravo can take the strain of compliance of your shoulders so that you can get back to focusing on what is most important. NIST SP 800 controls can seemingly be full of grey areas and extremely complex. Attempting to navigate the ins and outs of compliance alone can be extremely time-consuming and drain your organization’s pockets. No matter the size of your organization, there is no denying that NIST compliance is a big lift. That’s why Bravo is here to help! Our compliance experts can streamline your journey to compliance and cure your compliance headache. 

Step 1 capture icon

Gap Assessment

The initial step our compliance experts will take is evaluating your current environment and identifying any holes in your security. We will do so by conducting an analysis to determine your organization’s current security posture. From there, you can sit back while our experts get to work and implement our process that will help streamline your journey to compliance.  

Step 2 align icon

Build a System Security Plan and POA&M

Once we have addressed your organization’s security gaps, it is time to develop your unique SSP (System Security Plan) and POA&M (Plan of Actions & Milestones). Your SSP will keep tabs on any major updates that are made to your overall security posture, and your POA&M will provide an actionable to-do list. These two items are required to get your organization on the road toward compliance and the ability to work with the Federal Government. 

Step 3 configure icon

Remediation

Our experts will begin remediation by addressing the low hanging fruit and then working to check off everything outlined in your POA&M. During remediation, our experts will write up policies, implement the necessary technical controls, and even develop an incident response plan for your organization so that you are fully prepared in the event that a security breach occurs.  

Bravo Has Your Back

Bravo helps contractors and federal agencies easily achieve compliance with NIST. We can help pave the way for your digital transformation, streamline the compliance process, and save you a lot of precious time and money along the way! Fill out the form below to get in touch with our compliance experts and start your NIST compliance journey today. 

Frequently Asked Questions

According to NIST, the purpose of NIST SP 800-171 is to “provide federal agencies with recommended security requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI:

  1. when the CUI is resident in a nonfederal system and organization;
  2. when the nonfederal organization is not collecting or maintaining information on behalf of a federal agency or using or operating a system on behalf of an agency; and
  3. where there are no specific safeguarding requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI prescribed by the authorizing law, regulation, or governmentwide policy for the CUI category listed in the CUI Registry.

According to NIST, NIST SP 800-53establishes controls for systems and organizations. The controls can be implemented within any organization or system that processes, stores, or transmits information.” 

According to NIST, NIST SP 800-207 is “intended to describe zero trust for enterprise security architects. It is meant to aid understanding of zero trust for civilian unclassified systems and provide a road map to migrate and deploy zero trust security concepts to an enterprise environment.” If your organization needs help implementing Zero Trust, you can learn more here. 

According to NARA, “Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with applicable law, regulations, and government-wide policies but is not classified under Executive Order 13526 or the Atomic Energy Act, as amended.” 

If your organization or a subcontractor fails to comply with NIST, you may be subject to severe consequences such as expensive fines or even face time in prison. 

Why Bravo

Committed to helping our customers soar to new heights.

14+ Years of Experience

Bravo's deep experience and proven methodologies embody best practices and will ensure you make the most of your digital transformation.

Make the Impossible Possible

Time and time again, we have proven our commitment to our customers by ensuring their needs are met - no matter what it takes.

Microsoft Gold Partner

Bravo's team of Microsoft-certified engineers have managed millions of users in Microsoft 365 and SharePoint.

White Glove Approach

Bravo has your back every step of the way. We pride ourselves on our strong client centric culture and strive to provide unparalleled customer experience and quality throughout delivery.

Talk to a Human

Bravo is here to help you, not to spam you

Latest Insights

Recommended Blogs

Man coding on laptop
Application Modernization

Tutorial: Power Apps Flyout Menu

“Work smarter not harder” should be your mantra as a developer to prevent yourself from building the same thing twice. In this article, you’ll earn how to make a Power Apps fly out navigation menu component with a simple design.