11 Things You Need to Know about NIST SP 800-53 (2024)

NIST SP 800-53 is a set of detailed controls that describe how to secure information systems. This article lists 11 things you need to know about the NIST-SP 800-53.

11 Things You Need to Know about NIST SP 800-53 (1)

NIST SP 800-53 is a list of security controls created by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to help protect US government information systems from known threats. The NIST 800-53 security controls are meant to protect users' privacy and keep information systems running.

NIST SP 800-53 is a set of detailed controls that describe how to secure information systems. It covers topics such as access control, Cryptography, Physical and Environmental Protection, Incident Response, and more.

NIST SP 800-53 covers a lot of ground, it's a great inspiration for anyone responsible for securing information systems.

This article lists 11 things you need to know about the NIST-SP 800-53

1. Purpose of the NIST SP 800-53

NIST SP 800-53 is a set of security standards maintained by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The purpose of these standards is to help organizations protect their information systems from potential cyber threats.

NIST SP 800-53 defines a set of security controls that should be implemented in order to mitigate various types of risks. These controls cover areas such as access control, incident response, and security awareness training. NIST SP 800-53 also provides guidance on how to assess the vulnerabilities of an organization's information systems and how to select appropriate mitigation strategies. By following the NIST SP 800-53 standards, organizations can help ensure that their information systems are better protected against potential cyber attacks.

The guidelines are not mandatory, but many federal agencies have adopted them as a way to improve their cybersecurity posture. NIST SP 800-53 has been updated several times since its initial release in 2004, with the most recent revision being released in 2017.

2. Who needs to comply with the NIST- SP 800-53?

NIST SP 800-53 is a compliance standard that needs to be met by federal information systems, agencies, and associated government contractors and departments that work with the US government.

3. Who can adopt the NIST SP 800-53?

NIST SP 800-53 is a security and privacy controls standard that can be used by any organization, large or small. The standard was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a federal agency that promotes innovation and strengthens the U.S. economy. NIST 800-53 contains detailed guidance on how to implement security and privacy controls in order to protect information systems.

The standard is flexible enough to be used in a variety of settings, and it has been adopted by government agencies, businesses, and other organizations around the world. While NIST 800-53 is not mandatory, it provides a comprehensive framework for organizations that want to improve their cybersecurity posture.

4. Benefits of the NIST SP 800-53

NIST SP 800-53 is a set of security standards that are designed to help organizations prevent and respond to breaches and security incidents. By following the NIST SP 800-53 standards, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and ensure that they are prepared to quickly and effectively respond to any incidents that do occur. In addition, the NIST SP 800-53 standards can help organizations comply with legal and regulatory requirements, avoid penalties, and protect their reputation. As more and more organizations face the threat of data breaches, the NIST SP 800-53 standards provide an important line of defence.

5. The NIST SP 800-53 controls are divided into 20 families

There are more than 1,000 controls in NIST SP 800-53, which are split into 20 different "control families.". The control families make it easier to understand and comprehending the enormous number of controls.

The 20 control families are:

  1. Access Control
  2. Awareness and Training
  3. Audit and Accountability
  4. Assessment, Authorization, and Monitoring
  5. Configuration Management
  6. Contingency Planning
  7. Identification and Authentication
  8. Incident Response
  9. Maintenance
  10. Media Protection
  11. Physical and Environmental Protection
  12. Planning
  13. Program Management
  14. Personnel Security
  15. PII Processing and Transparency
  16. Risk Assessment
  17. System and Services Acquisition
  18. System and Communications Protection
  19. System and Information Integrity
  20. Supply Chain Risk Management
The 20 NIST Control Families - NIST SP 800-53This article lists and summarises the NIST Control Families.Security ScientistVincent van Dijk

6. The NIST SP 800-53 doesn't connect with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework

NIST SP 800-53 is one of the many cybersecurity frameworks out there. NIST Cybersecurity Framework is another. Though both come from NIST, the target audiences for each are different, and the frameworks do not connect or integrate. NIST SP 800-53 is meant for government agencies, while NIST Cybersecurity Framework is meant for businesses.

Because of this, NIST SP 800-53 is much more comprehensive and detail-oriented than NIST Cybersecurity Framework. NIST Cybersecurity Framework provides a high-level overview of cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies, while NIST SP 800-53 goes into the nitty-gritty of specific security controls. If you're trying to choose between the two frameworks, it really depends on your needs.

7. The NIST SP 800-53 is a daunting document

The NIST SP 800-53 is a daunting document. It consists of 20 control families, more than 1000 controls, and each control might be overlapping with other controls. But don't let that stop you! The NIST SP 800-53 is an essential document for any security professional. It provides a comprehensive overview of security controls and helps to ensure that an organization's security posture is up to date. So take a deep breath, dive in, and make sure you understand the NIST SP 800-53!

8. It is easy to lose focus on what matters when working with the NIST 800-53

NIST SP 800-53 is a massive document, and it can be easy to get lost in the details. There are 20 control families, more than 1000 controls, and countless pages of text. However, it is important to remember that the NIST 800-53 is only a guide. It is not a mandatory checklist, and organisations should tailored the controls to their specific needs. The NIST 800-53 can be a helpful tool, but it is only one part of a larger security program. organisations should not lose sight of the bigger picture when working with this document.

9. The NIST SP 800-53 is a great source for inspiration

The NIST SP 800-53 is a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to improve their cybersecurity posture. The document provides a comprehensive list of security controls that can be implemented to protect information systems. While the NIST SP 800-53 is primarily focused on government systems, the controls it outlines can be applied to any type of organization. In addition to providing a detailed list of security controls, the NIST SP 800-53 also includes helpful information how to use those controls.

10. The NIST SP 800-53 works alongside the SP 800-37

NIST SP 800-53 is a security and privacy control catalogue that works alongside the SP 800-37.

NIST SP 800-37 provides guidance on how to manage a risk management program. Together, these two documents provide a comprehensive risk management framework for organizations to improve their cybersecurity posture.

11. Approach to implement the NIST SP 800-53

NIST SP 800-53 provides a comprehensive set of security controls for Federal information systems. These controls are categorized into 17 families, and each family addresses a specific security concern. The three approaches to implementing the NIST SP 800-53 controls are listed below.

  1. The first approach is to select all of the controls in a family that are applicable to the system, and then implement them as specified in the NIST SP 800-53. This approach provides a high level of security, but it can be costly and time-consuming to implement all of the controls.
  2. The second approach is to select a subset of the controls in a family that are applicable to the system, and then implement them as specified in the NIST SP 800-53. This approach provides a balance between security and cost, but it may not provide sufficient protection against all threats.
  3. The third approach is to tailor the NIST SP 800-53 controls to meet the specific needs of the system. This approach provides the best protection against threats, but it can be costly and time-consuming to tailor the controls.

Conclusion

The NIST SP 800-53 is a document that provides guidance on security and privacy controls for federal information systems. While it is not mandatory for private businesses to follow the NIST SP 800-53, many choose to do so to ensure that their information systems are secure. The NIST SP 800-53 contains a wide range of security and privacy controls, including requirements for data encryption, user authentication, and access control.

While the NIST SP 800-53 can be daunting to read, it provides a valuable resource for businesses that want to ensure the security of their information systems.

11 Things You Need to Know about NIST SP 800-53 (2024)

FAQs

What are NIST 800-53 requirements? ›

NIST SP 800-53 provides a list of controls that support the development of secure and resilient federal information systems. These controls are the operational, technical, and management standards and guidelines information systems use to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

What are the NIST 800-53 technical controls? ›

NIST SP 800-53 is part of a range of guidelines developed by NIST to help federal agencies meet the requirements of the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA). The controls are designed to achieve a consistent level of protection across federal information systems.

What is NIST 800-53 information classification? ›

NIST 800-53 details security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations, including how agencies should maintain their systems, applications and integrations in order to ensure confidentiality, integrity and availability.

What are the 5 functions of NIST? ›

The core functions: identify, protect, detect, respond and recover; aid organizations in their effort to spot, manage and counter cybersecurity events promptly. The NIST control framework will help empower continuous compliance and support communication between technical and business-side stakeholders.

What is NIST Checklist? ›

The National Checklist Program (NCP), defined by the NIST SP 800-70, is the U.S. government repository of publicly available security checklists (or benchmarks) that provide detailed low level guidance on setting the security configuration of operating systems and applications.

What are the 4 types of security controls? ›

One of the easiest and most straightforward models for classifying controls is by type: physical, technical, or administrative, and by function: preventative, detective, and corrective.

What are the 4 technical controls? ›

Technical controls are the hardware and software components that protect a system against cyberattacks. Firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), encryption, and identification and authentication mechanisms are examples of technical controls (Harris and Maymi 2016).

How many controls are there in NIST 800-53? ›

NIST SP 800-53 has had five revisions and comprises over 1000 controls. This catalog of security controls allows federal government agencies the recommended security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations to protect against potential security issues and cyber attacks.

What are the 4 NIST implementation tiers? ›

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Cyber-Security Framework (NIST) implementation tiers are as follows.
  • Tier 1: Partial.
  • Tier 2: Risk Informed.
  • Tier 3: Repeatable.
  • Tier 4: Adaptive.

What is the main focus of NIST? ›

Mission. To promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

What are the 4 levels of information classification? ›

Data Classification Levels

These can be adopted by commercial organizations, but, most often, we find four levels, Restricted, Confidential, Internal, Public.

What are the four 4 classifications of information? ›

Typically, there are four classifications for data: public, internal-only, confidential, and restricted.

Is NIST 800-53 a framework or standard? ›

The NIST 800-53 is a cybersecurity standard and compliance framework developed by the National Institute of Standards in Technology. It's a continuously updated framework that tries to flexibly define standards, controls, and assessments based on risk, cost-effectiveness, and capabilities.

What are the 5 pillars of cybersecurity? ›

The U.S. Department of Defense has promulgated the Five Pillars of Information Assurance model that includes the protection of confidentiality, integrity, availability, authenticity, and non-repudiation of user data.

What are the 5 stages of NIST? ›

What are the five phases of the NIST cybersecurity framework? NIST framework is divided into 5 main functions. These functions are as follows: identity, protect, detect, respond, and recover.

What are the 5 pillars of cyber security? ›

The five pillars are integrity of data in its original form, availability for authorized parties, identity authenticity, data confidentiality and non-repudiation.

What are the major steps in NIST Framework? ›

The NIST management framework is a culmination of multiple special publications (SP) produced by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) - as we'll see below, the 6 NIST RMF Steps; Step 1: Categorize/ Identify, Step 2: Select, Step 3: Implement, Step 4: Assess, Step 5: Authorize and Step 6: Monitor, ...

What are the three types of security controls NIST? ›

System-specific controls—controls that provide a security capability for a particular information system only; Common controls—controls that provide a security capability for multiple information systems; or Hybrid controls—controls that have both system-specific and common characteristics.

How do I comply with NIST Framework? ›

To comply, your organization must control access to digital and physical assets, provide awareness education and training, put processes into place to secure data, maintain baselines of network configuration and operations to repair system components in a timely manner and deploy protective technology to ensure cyber ...

What are the three A's of security? ›

Authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) is a term for a framework for intelligently controlling access to computer resources, enforcing policies, auditing usage, and providing the information necessary to bill for services.

What are the 4 C's in security? ›

Oftentimes “the 3 Cs” – collaboration, cooperation, and coordination - are believed to be the focus for a strong cybersecurity solution. Arguably, the most important one is missing or simply assumed and not discussed: communication. Without communication, the other Cs become impossible.

What are the 4 phases of assessing security controls? ›

The process for conducting a security assessment is a relatively straightforward four-step process: prepare for the assessment, develop an assessment plan, conduct the assessment, and analyze the findings.

What are the 6 steps to deal with risk? ›

  • Step 1: Hazard identification. This is the process of examining each work area and work task for the purpose of identifying all the hazards which are “inherent in the job”. ...
  • Step 2: Risk identification.
  • Step 3: Risk assessment.
  • Step 4: Risk control. ...
  • Step 5: Documenting the process. ...
  • Step 6: Monitoring and reviewing.

Is RMF the same as NIST? ›

The NIST Risk Management Framework (RMF) provides a comprehensive, flexible, repeatable, and measurable 7-step process that any organization can use to manage information security and privacy risk for organizations and systems and links to a suite of NIST standards and guidelines to support implementation of risk ...

What are the six 6 categories of general IT controls? ›

The six ITGC audit controls include physical and environmental security, logical security, change management, backup and recovery, incident management and information security.

What are the two types of IT controls? ›

For information systems, there are two main types of control activities: general and application control activities. 11.07 Information system general controls (at the entity-wide, system, and application levels) are the policies and procedures that apply to all or a large segment of an entity's information systems.

What are the three types of countermeasures? ›

What are the three types of countermeasures? Preventative, detective, and corrective.

What is the end goal of NIST 800-53? ›

The goal of NIST SP 800-53 is to protect operations, assets, individuals, organizations and the United States from a diverse set of cyber threats such as hostile attacks, human error and natural disasters. The controls are written to be flexible and customizable to aid organizations in implementation.

What is the difference between NIST 800-53 and 800? ›

The key distinction between NIST 800-171 vs 800-53 is that 800-171 refers to non-federal networks and NIST 800-53 applies directly to any federal organization.

What are the levels of risk in NIST? ›

Definition(s): One of three organizational levels defined in NIST SP 800-39: Level 1 (organizational level), Level 2 (mission/business process level), or Level 3(system level).

What are the 3 components of the NIST framework? ›

An Introduction to the Components of the Framework

The Cybersecurity Framework consists of three main components: the Core, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles.

What are the NIST core controls? ›

The Core includes five high level functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These 5 functions are not only applicable to cybersecurity risk management, but also to risk management at large. The next level down is the 23 Categories that are split across the five Functions.

What is NIST in simple terms? ›

NIST is the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NIST Cybersecurity Framework helps businesses of all sizes better understand, manage, and reduce their cybersecurity risk and protect their networks and data.

Why is NIST so important? ›

The main function of NIST is to create best practices (also known as standards) for organizations and government agencies to follow. These security standards are developed to improve the security posture of government agencies and private companies dealing with government data.

Which framework is best for cyber security? ›

Top Cyber Security Frameworks
  1. The NIST Cyber Security Framework. ...
  2. The Center for Internet Security Critical Security Controls (CIS). ...
  3. The International Standards Organization (ISO) frameworks ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002. ...
  4. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.
Feb 14, 2023

What are the benefits of NIST? ›

The Benefits of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework
  • Superior and unbiased cybersecurity.
  • Enable long-term cybersecurity and risk management.
  • Ripple effects across supply chains and vendor lists.
  • Bridge the gap between technical and business-side stakeholders.
  • Flexibility and adaptability of the Framework.

What are the 7 major levels of classification? ›

1. Linnaeus' hierarchical system of classification includes seven levels. They are, from largest to smallest, kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species.

What are the 3 main types of data classification? ›

Data classification generally includes three categories: Confidential, Internal, and Public data.

What are the 5 types of classification? ›

What are the different levels of classification? The organisms are classified according to the following different levels- Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species.

What are the three levels of information? ›

The U.S. classification of information system has three classification levels -- Top Secret, Secret, and Confidential -- which are defined in EO 12356.

What is sensitivity vs criticality? ›

Sensitivity refers to its relative quality, or amount of harm, its unauthorized disclosure might cause if it was disclosed to an unauthorized person. Criticality refers to how important, or mission critical, the information is to the function of the organization.

What are the 3 types of information in MIS? ›

Three main categories of information systems serve different organizational levels: operational-level systems, management-level systems, and strategic-level systems.

What is NIST 800-53 Basics? ›

What is NIST 800-53? NIST SP 800-53 provides a list of controls that support the development of secure and resilient federal information systems. These controls are the operational, technical, and management standards and guidelines information systems use to maintain confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

What is NIST 800-53 policy requirements? ›

NIST 800-53 is a regulatory standard that defines the minimum baseline of security controls for all U.S. federal information systems except those related to national security. It defines the minimum baseline of security controls required by the Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS).

What are the 18 control families? ›

What are the NIST 800-53 control families?
  • Access Control. ...
  • Awareness and Training. ...
  • Audit and Accountability. ...
  • Assessment, Authorization and Monitoring. ...
  • Configuration Management. ...
  • Contingency Planning. ...
  • Identification and Authentication. ...
  • Incident Response.

What is NIST compliance requirements? ›

What is NIST Compliance? NIST compliance broadly means adhering to the NIST security standards and best practices set forth by the government agency for the protection of data used by the government and its contractors.

Is NIST 800-53 mandatory? ›

The NIST SP 800-53 is a document that provides guidance on security and privacy controls for federal information systems. While it is not mandatory for private businesses to follow the NIST SP 800-53, many choose to do so to ensure that their information systems are secure.

What is NIST 800 standards? ›

The NIST 800 series is a technical standard set of publications that details U.S. government procedures, policies, and guidelines on information systems - developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

What are the NIST guidelines? ›

You can put the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to work in your business in these five areas: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover.
  • Identify. Make a list of all equipment, software, and data you use, including laptops, smartphones, tablets, and point-of-sale devices. ...
  • Protect. ...
  • Detect. ...
  • Respond. ...
  • Recover.

What are the six steps of the NIST Risk Management Framework? ›

The NIST management framework is a culmination of multiple special publications (SP) produced by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) - as we'll see below, the 6 NIST RMF Steps; Step 1: Categorize/ Identify, Step 2: Select, Step 3: Implement, Step 4: Assess, Step 5: Authorize and Step 6: Monitor, ...

Does Hipaa follow NIST? ›

Part of HIPAA is the Security Rule, which specifically focuses on protecting ePHI that a health care organization creates, receives, maintains or transmits. NIST does not create regulations to enforce HIPAA, but the revised draft is in keeping with NIST's mission to provide cybersecurity guidance.

How many controls does NIST 800-53 have? ›

NIST SP 800-53 has had five revisions and is composed of over 1000 controls. This catalog of security controls allows federal government agencies the recommended security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations to protect against potential security issues and cyber attacks.

What is the most common NIST standard? ›

One of the most widely used NIST security standard is the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF). This internationally recognized framework offers voluntary guidance, based on existing standards, guidelines, and practices for organizations to better manage and reduce cybersecurity risk.

How many NIST controls are there? ›

NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-53 is designed to help organizations with risk management for processing, storing, and transmitting sensitive information. The publication is segmented into 20 control families, each with different functions and techniques to determine the effectiveness of a control.

What are the three core components on the NIST Framework? ›

An Introduction to the Components of the Framework

The Cybersecurity Framework consists of three main components: the Core, Implementation Tiers, and Profiles. The Framework Core provides a set of desired cybersecurity activities and outcomes using common language that is easy to understand.

How do I check my NIST Checklist? ›

The repository, which is located at https://checklists.nist.gov/, contains information that describes each checklist.

What is NIST risk? ›

NIST SP 800-38C under Risk. The level of potential impact on an organization operations (including mission, functions, image, or reputation), organization assets, or individuals of a threat or a given likelihood of that threat occurring.

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