Ultimate NIST 800-171 Compliance Checklist For Your Business

Cybersecurity threats are becoming more severe daily, and new technologies like AI make the security landscape even trickier by enabling advanced phishing attacks. Hence, handling sensitive information is critical for businesses that work with the government directly or indirectly. This is where NIST 800-171 comes in. 

NIST 800-171 is a set of guidelines that help ensure organizations’ safety in handling sensitive information. It provides rules that you should follow. However, understanding it and becoming compliant can be challenging due to its complexity. But we are here to help. This guide provides you with a comprehensive checklist that makes navigating it easier. 

So, if you are new to NIST 800-171, you are in the right place. Read on to find out how to keep your business compliant and avoid legal troubles in a few simple steps.

Does My Businesses Need to Be NIST 800-171 Compliant?

Knowing whether your business needs to be NIST 800-171 compliant can be confusing. But let’s set the record straight: Ideally, if you interact with different federal agencies in your business, such as the Department of Defense (DoD), either providing services or goods to them, then you need to be compliant. 

As a partner to a government agency handling information that, while not classified, demands protection due to impacts on national security in case of leaks, you need to be compliant. So, if you run a consulting company, manufacturer, or research institution that receives grants and federal contracts, you are affected because you can be a target of cyber attacks. 

Understandably, NIST 800-171 isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, making compliance a bit tricky. Fortunately, you don’t have to do it independently, as experts can offer guidance on meeting the NIST 800-171 compliance checklist to avoid being locked out of government contracts. 

NIST 800-171 Compliance Checklist 

Businesses must pass a cybersecurity audit to stay compliant. To do well in the audit, you need to prepare properly. This compliance checklist can help you focus on the important things.

Identify scope: The first step is to determine what you need to become compliant with NIST 800-171. For example, you might need to undertake certain training, install security systems for access control, or master a certain process for handling sensitive data. 

Gather required documents: To be certified, you must have all the necessary documents proving you have met NIST rules. That can be documented in system setup, data flow, personnel qualification, and anticipated changes. 

Perform gap analysis: You need to review your system to identify areas where it falls short of meeting the NIST 800-171 standards. Look at important areas like access control, list the flaws, and fix them. An experienced NIST partner can help you perform a thorough review. 

Create a plan: After you identify the gaps, the next step is to create a plan to improve them to meet NIST standards. You also need a response plan to guide swift actions if the CUI becomes compromised. Finally, a plan of action and milestones (POA&M) should be created to ensure everything is checked. 

Audit trail evidence: Finally, prepare an audit trail evidence document that shows you’ve identified your compliance requirements and the actions you’ve taken to meet them. 

To complete the NITS 800-171 checklist, it is important to understand the requirements properly. 

NIST 800-171 Requirements 

1. Access controls: This requires access to sensitive information restricted to authorized personnel. That means managing access to key devices like computers and routers. 

2. Awareness and training: Your team should be well informed about the risks and threats you face and the best practices to uphold. Offer training aligned with NIST to ensure your staff knows their duties and responsibilities in combating and evading threats. 

3. Auditing, tracking, and accountability: Your system should be able to track who accessed what to prevent mishandling or data compromise. 

4. Configuration management: Set up your systems with the best security setting in line with NIST standards. It should be updated whenever you switch to new software or hardware. 

5. Identification and authentication: You should have various authentication and identification methods to ensure that only authorized individuals access information. 

6. Incident response: Develop a plan that prepares your team to respond to an incident. They should be able to detect intrusion, determine its extent, and prevent it from worsening. All incidents should be well documented and repeated to appropriate authorities.  

7. Maintenance: Ensure your IT and data storage systems are properly maintained to comply with NIST. 

8. Media protection: There are many ways to store information, such as on hard drives, but regardless of the device you choose, it needs to be stored according to NIST standards. That includes controlling access and having a procedure to remove and destroy the data when it is no longer needed. 

9. Personnel security: This requires all your staff who handle CUI to undergo a thorough security check before approval. It also requires setting up procedures for protecting data when they leave the team. 

10. Physical protection: Securing the physical location is part of NIST 800-171 requirements. That includes locking sensitive rooms and storage areas to keep away unauthorized people. 

11. Risk assessment: Routinely perform a risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities and neutralize cybersecurity threats. 

12. Security assessment: Regularly evaluate your cybersecurity measures to determine if they work. 

13. Communication systems protection: Ensure your communication channels are secure from both ends, receiver, and sender, to avoid security compromise. 

14. System integrity: NIST is about protecting the systems from attacks. It requires you to routinely look for flaws and fix them before they cause losses. Always check and promptly respond to security alerts. 

Conclusion

If you do business with the federal government, you must be NIST 800-171 compliant. This ensures that the sensitive information you exchange doesn’t land in the wrong hands, causing financial losses and disrupting important government operations. 

You can avoid data breaches by strengthening your organization’s cybersecurity using this checklist and encouraging good practices. Be sure to work with experts who know the right tools to help you comply and stay ahead of the possible attacks in your industry.