What is NIST Compliance? A Complete Guide

The third quarter of 2024 saw a 75% increase in cyberattacks compared to the same period in 2023—a surge that highlights the escalating cybersecurity risks organizations face.

Compliance requirements have evolved to address emerging threats, such as the rise of ransomware and supply chain attacks. Organizations must adapt to these requirements by following proven security frameworks, such as those developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). 

NIST frameworks provide a structured approach to cybersecurity, helping businesses reduce risk, improve security posture, and meet regulatory expectations. 

This guide explains everything you need to know about NIST compliance, including the key frameworks, essential security controls, and steps to achieving compliance. Whether you’re a startup looking to win government contracts or a growing business focused on strengthening security, adopting NIST standards early can help you stay ahead of threats while confidently meeting compliance requirements.

What is NIST compliance?

NIST compliance follows the security standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a U.S. government agency that helps organizations protect sensitive data and strengthen their cybersecurity posture. While federal agencies and government contractors are required to comply, plenty of private companies adopt NIST frameworks to improve security and reduce risk.

NIST compliance means implementing best practices to prevent cyber threats, manage vulnerabilities, and meet regulatory requirements like the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA).

The latest version of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 introduced a new “Govern” function in 2024 to help organizations integrate security into their business strategy. Meanwhile, NIST SP 800-53 outlines security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations, while NIST SP 800-171 provides guidelines for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems.

Benefits of NIST compliance

Whether you’re working with government agencies or private-sector clients, following NIST standards helps establish trust and keeps your organization prepared for evolving cyber threats. 

Enhanced Security Posture and Protection of Sensitive Data

Cyber threats are only getting more sophisticated. NIST compliance helps organizations stay ahead of those threats.

By following NIST guidelines, companies can implement IT risk management best practices like encryption, access management, and continuous monitoring to reduce vulnerabilities and prevent breaches. These measures protect customer data, intellectual property, and sensitive government information from unauthorized access.

Increased Trust and Credibility With Government Agencies and Clients

Security is a top priority for government agencies and enterprise clients, and NIST compliance proves that an organization takes cybersecurity seriously. Many government contracts require vendors to meet specific NIST standards (like NIST SP 800-53 for securing federal information systems) before doing business, so being compliant can open doors to new partnerships and revenue streams.

Improved Risk Management and Incident Response

Every business faces cybersecurity risks, but NIST compliance provides a roadmap for identifying threats, mitigating vulnerabilities, and responding effectively to incidents. Organizations that follow NIST's risk assessment methodologies (like NIST SP 800-30) and implement an incident response plan can detect threats earlier and minimize damage when attacks occur.

Who Needs to Comply With NIST Standards?

NIST standards aren’t just for government agencies—though if you work with federal data, compliance is often required. Organizations that handle federal information, manage government contracts, or operate in regulated industries typically need to align with NIST security standards to meet contractual and regulatory requirements.

If your organization works with the U.S. government, you likely need to comply with one of these frameworks:

• NIST SP 800-53: Establishes security requirements for protecting federal information systems

• NIST SP 800-171: Outlines security controls for organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) outside the federal government

• DFARS compliance ( for DoD contractors): Requires alignment with NIST SP 800-171 to safeguard sensitive Department of Defense (DoD) data

While NIST compliance is mandatory for federal agencies and government contractors, many private-sector organizations voluntarily adopt NIST cybersecurity standards to enhance data security and meet industry expectations. These industries commonly adopt NIST frameworks:

• Healthcare: NIST aligns with HIPAA security requirements to protect sensitive patient data.

• Financial services: NIST strengthens defenses against cyberattacks and fraud risks.

• Infrastructure: NIST helps utilities, telecom, and transportation companies mitigate cybersecurity threats and meet regulatory expectations.

Overview of NIST Frameworks

NIST offers several security frameworks to help organizations manage cybersecurity risks and protect sensitive data. Choosing the right one depends on your industry, regulatory requirements, and security needs. Let’s explore your options.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF)

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is widely used across industries as a flexible, risk-based approach to security.

The latest update, CSF 2.0, introduced a sixth core function, “Govern,” which emphasizes defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability for cybersecurity risk management. This addition helps organizations align security efforts with business objectives, making it a valuable framework for both federal and private-sector companies. For a deeper dive into these updates, check out our NIST CSF 2.0 guide.

CSF is structured around six core functions:

1. Govern: Establishes oversight, roles, and accountability for cybersecurity strategy

2. Identify: Helps organizations understand their assets, risks, and vulnerabilities

3. Protect: Focuses on safeguards like encryption, access controls, and security training

4. Detect: Implements real-time monitoring to identify threats and suspicious activity

5. Respond: Defines processes for handling incidents, minimizing damage, and mitigating risk

6. Recover: Ensures business continuity and system restoration after a security event

NIST Special Publication 800-53

NIST SP 800-53 is the primary security framework for federal agencies and organizations handling government data. Rev. 5 (2020) of the publication includes key updates to help organizations tailor security programs to specific operational needs, including:

• Stronger privacy protections

• Enhanced supply chain security

• More flexibility in control selection

Government contractors working with federal information systems are often required to comply with SP 800-53 to meet FISMA requirements. For example, a cloud services provider pursuing FedRAMP certification must implement SP 800-53 controls to ensure compliance with federal security expectations.

NIST Special Publication 800-171

For organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) but don’t operate federal systems, NIST SP 800-171 sets the required security  controls.

This framework applies to government contractors and subcontractors working with agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD) and lays out specific controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive government data. A logistics company bidding for a DoD contract, for instance, would implement NIST 800-171 controls like multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption, and continuous monitoring to ensure compliance.

Frameworks like NIST SP 800-53 (for federal systems) and NIST SP 800-171(for CUI in non-federal systems) provide clear guidelines for companies looking to strengthen their cybersecurity strategy while navigating regulatory requirements. Conducting a risk assessment is a great first step to determining which framework applies to your organization.

The Core Functions of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, Explained

The CSF is built around six core functions that help organizations manage cybersecurity risk in a structured, proactive way. These functions—Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover—guide businesses in securing their systems, responding to threats, and maintaining resilience.

NIST CSF 2.0 introduced “Govern” as a new function to highlight the importance of leadership, accountability, and strategic cybersecurity oversight.

Govern

As the newest addition to CSF 2.0, the Govern function ensures cybersecurity is embedded into an organization’s overall risk management strategy. It defines roles, responsibilities, and oversight to keep security aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements.

Key areas covered include:

• Leadership and accountability: Assigns cybersecurity responsibilities to executive leadership

• Security policies and procedures: Ensures formal documentation of security expectations

• Regulatory compliance: Aligns cybersecurity strategy with industry and government standards

Identify

The Identify function focuses on understanding and managing cybersecurity risks to critical infrastructure, assets, and data. Organizations must inventory their systems, data flows, and third-party dependencies to recognize vulnerabilities before they become threats.

This function covers:

• Asset management: Catalogs IT infrastructure, applications, and data

• Risk assessment: Evaluates threats and vulnerabilities in critical systems

• Third-party risk management: Assesses security risks associated with vendors and service providers

Protect

The Protect function focuses on safeguarding systems and data to prevent cyberattacks and minimize risk exposure. This includes access control, encryption, endpoint protection, and employee cybersecurity training.

Some other examples are:

• Access management: Implements multi-factor authentication (MFA) and least-privilege access controls

• Data security: Encrypts sensitive information in transit and at rest

• Security awareness training: Educates employees on phishing, password hygiene, and secure data handling

Detect

The Detect function ensures that organizations have continuous monitoring and real-time threat detection in place to identify cybersecurity events before they escalate.

Key areas covered in Detect:

• Security information and event management (SIEM): Logs and analyzes security events for anomalies

• Threat intelligence: Monitors known attack patterns and emerging threats

• Automated alerts: Flags unusual system activity or unauthorized access attempts

Respond

The Respond function ensures organizations can contain and mitigate cyber incidents before they cause significant damage. A well-defined incident response plan helps limit downtime and meet regulatory reporting requirements.

The Respond function includes:

• Incident response planning: Establishes clear procedures for handling security events

• Forensic analysis: Investigates attack origins and impact

• Communication protocols: Defines stakeholder notification processes, including regulatory reporting

For companies handling sensitive customer data, regular user access reviews are key to identifying security vulnerabilities before they lead to data breaches.

Recover

The Recover function focuses on restoring normal operations after a cybersecurity incident. Organizations that invest in backup and disaster recovery plans, post-incident reviews, and policy updates improve long-term security resilience.

The Recover function includes:

• Data restoration: Recovers lost or encrypted data from secure backups

• Business continuity planning: Ensures operations resume with minimal disruption

• Lessons learned: Updates security policies based on post-incident analysis

However, restoring systems isn’t enough. You also need to learn from these incidents and update your security policies to prevent future breaches. Organizations that track and manage their security risks through a proactive risk register are better prepared to prevent repeated incidents.

Key Security Controls in NIST SP 800-53

NIST SP 800-53 outlines a comprehensive set of security controls designed to protect federal information systems, sensitive data, and infrastructure from cyber threats.

These controls serve as a security baseline for federal agencies, government contractors, and private-sector organizations looking to strengthen their security posture and meet compliance requirements. By implementing these controls, organizations can:

• Reduce cybersecurity risk.

• Prevent unauthorized access.

• Ensure a proactive approach to risk management.

Below are the key security controls covered in NIST SP 800-53:

• Access control (AC): Ensures only authorized users and systems can access sensitive data and resources by implementing role-based permissions and least privilege principles

• Audit and accountability (AU): Logs and monitors system activities to detect unauthorized access, policy violations, or potential security threats

• Awareness and training (AT): Educates employees on cybersecurity best practices, phishing threats, and proper data handling to reduce human-related security risks

• Configuration management (CM): Establishes secure baseline configurations for hardware, software, and networks to prevent unauthorized changes and vulnerabilities

• Contingency planning (CP): Develops and tests disaster recovery and business continuity plans to ensure resilience against cyber incidents and system failures

• Identification and authentication (IA): Implements strong authentication mechanisms, such as MFA, to verify user identities and prevent unauthorized access

• Incident response (IR): Defines protocols for detecting, containing, mitigating, and recovering from cybersecurity incidents, ensuring swift and coordinated action

• Maintenance (MA): Ensures regular system updates, security patches, and hardware servicing to prevent vulnerabilities and maintain operational security

• Media protection (MP): Safeguards digital and physical media containing sensitive information through encryption, access restrictions, and secure disposal procedures

• Personnel security (PS): Conducts background checks, enforces access controls, and provides security training to mitigate insider threats and human-related risks

How to Achieve NIST Compliance

Organizations that follow a structured approach to NIST can streamline compliance, improve security posture, and meet regulatory expectations without unnecessary complexity.

1. Understand Applicable NIST Standards

Different NIST frameworks address different security needs. Before implementing controls, organizations should determine which NIST publications apply to their industry, contractual obligations, and data handling practices:

• Identify relevant frameworks: Determine if your organization handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) (NIST 800-171) or operates federal information systems (NIST 800-53).

• Assess compliance requirements: Review regulatory obligations like FedRAMP, FISMA, or DFARS, which often require adherence to NIST security standards.

• Evaluate security strategy alignment: Consider whether the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) provides a beneficial structure for your existing risk management approach.

2. Conduct a Risk Assessment

Before implementing security controls, businesses need to assess their current security posture, identify gaps, and prioritize remediation efforts. Here’s how:

• Catalog critical assets and data: Identify sensitive information, IT systems, and infrastructure that require protection.

• Perform a gap analysis: Compare existing security measures against NIST control requirements to pinpoint areas for improvement.

• Prioritize security risks: Focus on high-impact vulnerabilities that pose the greatest threat to data security and compliance.

• Develop a remediation plan: Outline corrective actions, responsible teams, and timelines for achieving compliance.

3. Implement required controls

Once risks are identified, organizations must apply the necessary NIST security controls to achieve compliance and mitigate cyber threats. Below are the steps for implementation:

• Map security gaps to control families: Align deficiencies with NIST SP 800-53 control areas such as access control, incident response, and encryption.

• Enhance authentication and access management: Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and least-privilege access controls to prevent unauthorized access.

• Enable continuous monitoring: Deploy audit logging and SIEM solutions to detect anomalies and improve incident response.

• Automate compliance monitoring: Use security automation tools to maintain compliance with real-time monitoring and risk management.

Challenges in Achieving NIST Compliance

While NIST compliance strengthens security and builds trust with customers, the path to achieving it isn’t always straightforward. Understanding these obstacles can help businesses plan effectively and find ways to simplify compliance without overburdening their teams.

Some of the most common challenges when pursuing NIST compliance include:

• High implementation costs: Compliance requires investment in risk assessments, security tools, and continuous monitoring. Small and mid-sized businesses often struggle to allocate budgets for dedicated security teams and ongoing compliance efforts.

• Hidden costs of maintenance: Compliance isn’t a one-time fix—it involves regular security updates, employee training, and continuous monitoring to stay aligned with NIST standards. These ongoing expenses can add up over time.

• Complexity of integrating NIST controls: Many organizations rely on legacy systems that lack the built-in security features required for compliance. Ensuring access control, encryption, and security logging across outdated infrastructure can pose a major challenge.

• Data sprawl across multiple platforms: Sensitive data is often spread across cloud environments, third-party vendors, and on-premises systems. Without proper visibility and governance, enforcing consistent security policies becomes difficult.

• Keeping up with evolving compliance requirements: Updates like NIST CSF 2.0’s "Govern" function introduce new expectations, requiring organizations to regularly reassess and adjust their security strategies to maintain compliance.

• Scaling compliance as the business grows: A security strategy that works for a startup may not be enough for a mid-size or enterprise company. Expanding compliance efforts while managing new risks and regulations adds complexity.

Businesses can simplify NIST compliance by leveraging automation, conducting penetration testing to pinpoint vulnerabilities, and staying informed about regulatory updates.

Simplify NIST Compliance With Drata

NIST compliance doesn’t have to be a complex, manual process. With Drata’s compliance automation platform, you can streamline evidence collection, continuously monitor security controls, and stay aligned with NIST 800-53, NIST 800-171, and CSF 2.0—all in real-time.

Whether you’re preparing for your first NIST audit or looking to effortlessly maintain compliance, Drata ensures you stay ahead of evolving security requirements.

NIST Compliance FAQs

Below we answer the most common questions about NIST compliance.

What is the Purpose of NIST Compliance?

NIST compliance provides organizations with a structured approach to cybersecurity, helping them protect sensitive data, mitigate cyber threats, and meet regulatory requirements.

It is designed to enhance security posture by offering best practices for access control, risk management, incident response, and continuous monitoring.

Is NIST Compliance Mandatory?

Under the Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), compliance with NIST standards is mandatory for federal agencies and government contractors handling federal information.

Private-sector organizations are not legally required to follow NIST standards, but many voluntarily adopt them to strengthen their cybersecurity posture, meet customer expectations, and prepare for future regulatory requirements.

What are the NIST Security Standards?

NIST security standards provide guidelines for protecting information systems from cyber threats. Key standards include:

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): A risk-based approach to cybersecurity with six core functions: Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover

• NIST SP 800-53: Security and privacy controls required for federal information systems

• NIST SP 800-171: Security requirements for protecting CUI in non-federal systems

• Federal information processing standards (FIPS): Cryptographic and security requirements for government agencies

These standards help organizations establish a security baseline, reduce vulnerabilities, and align with regulatory requirements.

How Much Does NIST Compliance Cost?

The cost of achieving NIST compliance varies based on your organization’s size, complexity, and existing security measures. Expenses may include:

• Risk assessments and gap analyses to evaluate your current security posture.

• Implementation of security controls, such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption, and continuous monitoring.

• Penetration testing and vulnerability scanning to identify weaknesses.

• Compliance automation tools to streamline monitoring and reporting.

For small businesses, costs can range from a few thousand dollars to over $50,000, while larger enterprises may invest significantly more, especially if external auditors and consultants are involved. The cost of non-compliance can be far greater though, making proactive security investments worthwhile.

How Does NIST Compliance Differ from Other Standards Like ISO 27001 and SOC 2?

While there is overlap, NIST frameworks  are more prescriptive and provide detailed technical controls, whereas ISO 27001 and SOC 2 focus on broader security governance and risk management. Here’s a brief overview:

• NIST primarily applies to organizations working with the federal government. It defines specific security controls (e.g., NIST SP 800-53, NIST 800-171) and is often mandatory for government agencies and contractors.

• ISO 27001 is an internationally recognized standard for information security management systems (ISMS) that focuses on continuous improvement and risk-based controls.

• SOC 2 is an attestation report that evaluates how service providers manage customer data based on five Trust Service Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy.

How Long Does it Take to Achieve NIST Compliance?

The timeline for achieving NIST compliance depends on the organization’s security maturity, resource availability, and the specific NIST framework being implemented.

Small businesses with minimal security infrastructure may take 6 to 12 months to fully implement NIST controls. Larger enterprises with complex systems may require 12 to 24 months to meet compliance requirements.

Organizations using automation tools for compliance monitoring and reporting can shorten this timeline significantly.

What is the Difference Between NIST 800-171 and 800-53?

NIST SP 800-171 applies to non-federal organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). It outlines 110 security controls focused on data protection, access control, and authentication.

NIST SP 800-53 is designed for federal agencies and their contractors, providing a broader set of security and privacy controls applicable to federal information systems and highly regulated environments (e.g., FedRAMP, FISMA)

While both frameworks aim to protect sensitive information, NIST 800-171 is more tailored to government contractors handling CUI, while NIST 800-53 is used for federal agency security requirements.