NIST 800-171 Compliance Services
Secure Federal Contracts, Protect Controlled Information
In today's federal contracting environment, protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is not optional—it's mandatory. NIST Special Publication 800-171 establishes the cybersecurity requirements that federal contractors and subcontractors must meet to handle CUI in nonfederal systems and organizations. With over 320,000 companies in the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) required to comply, and penalties including contract termination, False Claims Act liability, and exclusion from future federal work, NIST 800-171 compliance is essential for any organization working with the federal government. At Glocert International, we provide expert NIST 800-171 assessment services to help your organization achieve compliance, protect sensitive government information, qualify for federal contracts, and prepare for CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) requirements. Whether you're a prime contractor, subcontractor, or aspiring to enter the federal marketplace, our experienced team will assess your security controls against NIST 800-171's 110 requirements across 14 security families and guide you toward full compliance. Partner with Glocert International to secure your position in federal contracting, protect CUI and CDI (Covered Defense Information), meet DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement) requirements, and build a foundation for CMMC certification success.
What is NIST 800-171?
NIST Special Publication 800-171, titled "Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations," is a cybersecurity standard developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Published in December 2016 and revised in February 2020 (Revision 2), NIST 800-171 establishes the security requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI when it resides in nonfederal information systems and organizations.
NIST 800-171 consists of 110 security requirements organized into 14 families of controls covering areas such as access control, incident response, system and communications protection, and more. These requirements are derived from FIPS Publication 200 and NIST Special Publication 800-53, tailored specifically for the protection of CUI in contractor environments.
What is Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)?
CUI is information created or possessed by the government or an entity on behalf of the government that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls, but is not classified under Executive Order 13526 or the Atomic Energy Act. CUI encompasses a wide range of sensitive information types including:
- Covered Defense Information (CDI): Technical information related to defense systems, items, and services
- Federal Contract Information (FCI): Information provided by or generated for the government under a contract
- Export Controlled Information: Technical data subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) or Export Administration Regulations (EAR)
- Critical Infrastructure Information: Information about critical infrastructure systems and assets
- Law Enforcement Sensitive Information: Information related to law enforcement investigations
- Privacy Information: Personally identifiable information (PII) collected or maintained by federal agencies
Who Must Comply with NIST 800-171?
NIST 800-171 compliance is required for:
- Federal Contractors: Any organization under contract with a federal agency that processes, stores, or transmits CUI
- Subcontractors: Organizations at any tier of the supply chain that handle CUI on behalf of prime contractors
- Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Companies: Organizations supporting Department of Defense contracts involving CDI
- Non-DoD Federal Contractors: Contractors working with civilian federal agencies (NASA, Department of Energy, etc.) handling CUI
- Service Providers: Organizations providing IT services, cloud hosting, or managed services to federal contractors handling CUI
Compliance is mandated by DFARS clause 252.204-7012 for DoD contracts and is being incorporated into contracts across all federal agencies. Non-compliance can result in contract loss, suspension or debarment from federal contracting, False Claims Act penalties, and inability to compete for future federal work.
NIST 800-171 and CMMC
The Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) is the Department of Defense's framework for verifying contractor cybersecurity compliance. CMMC builds upon NIST 800-171 requirements and will eventually be required for all DoD contractors. CMMC has multiple levels (currently three levels in CMMC 2.0), with Level 2 corresponding to full NIST 800-171 compliance requiring third-party assessment. Achieving NIST 800-171 compliance is the essential foundation for CMMC certification, making it critical for organizations to begin their compliance journey now.
Why NIST 800-171 Compliance Matters
NIST 800-171 compliance is essential for federal contractors and organizations handling sensitive government information:
1. Federal Contract Eligibility
NIST 800-171 compliance is increasingly a prerequisite for federal contracts. Federal agencies are incorporating NIST 800-171 requirements into contracts across government, DoD contracts require NIST 800-171 compliance via DFARS 252.204-7012, CMMC will mandate third-party verification of compliance for DoD contracts, and non-compliant organizations will be unable to bid on or maintain federal contracts. The federal government spends over $600 billion annually on contracts—compliance is essential to access this market.
2. Protection of Sensitive Government Information
CUI and CDI represent some of the most sensitive unclassified information in government, including technical specifications for defense systems, research and development data, intelligence information, and critical infrastructure details. Breaches of this information can compromise national security, endanger military personnel, provide adversaries with strategic advantages, and damage critical infrastructure. NIST 800-171 provides comprehensive security controls specifically designed to protect this sensitive information from sophisticated threat actors including nation-state adversaries.
3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance
NIST 800-171 compliance addresses multiple legal and regulatory requirements:
- DFARS 252.204-7012: DoD contractors must implement NIST 800-171 security requirements
- FAR 52.204-21: Requirement to report cyber incidents and provide access to media/equipment for forensics
- Executive Order 13556: Establishes CUI program across federal government
- 32 CFR Part 2002: CUI program regulations
- False Claims Act: Misrepresentation of compliance status can result in civil and criminal penalties
4. Avoid Severe Consequences of Non-Compliance
Non-compliance with NIST 800-171 can result in devastating consequences:
- Contract Termination: Immediate termination of existing contracts for non-compliance
- Suspension and Debarment: Exclusion from federal contracting for three years or more
- False Claims Act Liability: Penalties of $5,500 to $11,000 per false claim plus treble damages
- Cyber Incident Costs: Average cost of data breach exceeding $4 million
- Reputational Damage: Loss of government trust affecting future opportunities
- Increased Scrutiny: Enhanced oversight and more frequent audits
5. CMMC Preparation
CMMC certification will become mandatory for DoD contractors, with implementation expected to affect all DoD contracts by 2026. CMMC Level 2 requires full NIST 800-171 compliance validated by third-party assessors. Organizations that achieve NIST 800-171 compliance now will be positioned to rapidly obtain CMMC certification when required, avoid last-minute scrambles that could jeopardize contracts, demonstrate proactive commitment to cybersecurity, and gain competitive advantage over non-compliant competitors. Starting NIST 800-171 compliance early provides time to implement controls properly and build a mature security program.
6. Enhanced Cybersecurity Posture
Beyond regulatory compliance, NIST 800-171 implementation significantly strengthens your organization's overall cybersecurity through comprehensive security controls across 14 families, protection against advanced persistent threats (APTs), improved incident detection and response capabilities, enhanced employee security awareness, documented security policies and procedures, and risk management frameworks. These improvements protect all organizational data, not just CUI, reducing overall cyber risk and supporting business resilience.
NIST 800-171 Services
Glocert International provides comprehensive NIST 800-171 assessment services to help your organization achieve and maintain compliance with federal cybersecurity requirements.
NIST 800-171 Assessment
We will assist your organization through the self-assessment process as defined by NIST. During this we will assess your company's controls against the published controls of NIST 800-171.
The 14 Families of NIST 800-171 Security Requirements
NIST 800-171's 110 security requirements are organized into 14 families, each addressing a critical aspect of cybersecurity:
1. Access Control (AC)
22 requirements. Limit information system access to authorized users, processes, and devices. Includes user authentication, account management, least privilege, remote access controls, and session management.
2. Awareness and Training (AT)
3 requirements. Ensure personnel are adequately trained in their security responsibilities. Includes security awareness training, role-based security training, and insider threat training.
3. Audit and Accountability (AU)
9 requirements. Create, protect, and retain information system audit records. Includes audit logging, log protection, log review and analysis, and audit record retention.
4. Configuration Management (CM)
9 requirements. Establish and maintain baseline configurations and inventories of organizational systems. Includes configuration baselines, configuration change control, least functionality, and user-installed software restrictions.
5. Identification and Authentication (IA)
11 requirements. Identify information system users and authenticate their identities. Includes multi-factor authentication, password management, device identification, and authentication mechanisms.
6. Incident Response (IR)
5 requirements. Establish operational incident handling capability for organizational systems. Includes incident response planning, incident detection and reporting, incident response testing, and incident handling.
7. Maintenance (MA)
6 requirements. Perform periodic and timely maintenance on organizational systems. Includes maintenance policies, controlled maintenance, remote maintenance, and maintenance personnel authorization.
8. Media Protection (MP)
7 requirements. Protect information system media. Includes media access, media marking, media sanitization, media storage, and media transport.
9. Personnel Security (PS)
2 requirements. Ensure personnel with access to CUI are trustworthy and meet security criteria. Includes personnel screening and termination procedures.
10. Physical Protection (PE)
6 requirements. Limit physical access to information systems and facilities. Includes physical access authorizations, physical access controls, visitor access records, access control for transmission medium, and alternate work sites.
11. Risk Assessment (RA)
3 requirements. Periodically assess the risk to organizational operations, assets, and individuals. Includes security assessment, vulnerability scanning, and vulnerability remediation.
12. Security Assessment (CA)
6 requirements. Periodically assess security controls to ensure effectiveness. Includes security control assessments, system interconnections, external information systems, and plans of action and milestones (POA&M).
13. System and Communications Protection (SC)
18 requirements. Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications. Includes boundary protection, encryption, network segmentation, denial of service protection, cryptographic key management, collaborative computing, and mobile code.
14. System and Information Integrity (SI)
13 requirements. Identify, report, and correct information and information system flaws. Includes flaw remediation, malicious code protection, system monitoring, security alerts and advisories, software and information integrity, and spam protection.
The Benefits of NIST 800-171 Compliance:
Bid on Federal Contracts
Allows your organization to bid on federal contracts requiring NIST 800-171 compliance and DFARS compliance.
Protects Sensitive Information
Protects CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information) and CDI (Covered Defense Information) from cyber threats and unauthorized access.
Government Contractor Eligibility
Enables you to work as a government contractor or subcontractor handling sensitive federal information.
CMMC Preparation
Prepares your organization for CMMC Certification required for Department of Defense contracts.
NIST 800-171 Compliance Requirements
Achieving NIST 800-171 compliance requires implementation of comprehensive security controls across your organization:
Self-Assessment Requirements
Organizations must conduct periodic self-assessments to evaluate implementation of NIST 800-171 security requirements:
- Control Assessment: Evaluate implementation status of all 110 security requirements
- Scoring Methodology: Use DoD methodology assigning points for each implemented control
- Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M): Document gaps and remediation plans with timelines
- Score Submission: Submit assessment scores to DoD via Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS)
- Annual Updates: Reassess and update scores at least annually or after significant changes
System Security Plan (SSP)
Organizations must develop and maintain a System Security Plan documenting:
- Description of CUI information systems and boundaries
- Security requirements and implemented controls
- Responsibilities for security control implementation
- Interconnections with other systems
- Deviations from NIST 800-171 requirements with risk-based justifications
Incident Reporting
DFARS 252.204-7012 requires contractors to:
- Report cyber incidents affecting CUI within 72 hours to DoD at https://dibnet.dod.mil
- Preserve and protect images of affected systems
- Provide DoD access to equipment and information for forensic analysis
- Conduct damage assessments and provide incident reports
- Flow down incident reporting requirements to subcontractors
Evidence Collection and Documentation
Organizations should maintain comprehensive documentation including:
- System Security Plan and supporting policies/procedures
- Configuration baselines and change control records
- Asset inventory including hardware, software, and network devices
- Access control policies and user access reviews
- Audit logs and security monitoring records
- Vulnerability scan results and remediation evidence
- Security awareness training records
- Incident response plans and incident handling records
- Risk assessments and POA&Ms
Continuous Monitoring
NIST 800-171 compliance is ongoing, requiring:
- Continuous security monitoring of information systems
- Regular vulnerability scanning (at least monthly)
- Ongoing log review and security event analysis
- Periodic security control testing and assessment
- Timely patching and vulnerability remediation
- Regular updates to documentation as environment changes
NIST 800-171 Compliance Pricing
Our NIST 800-171 assessment pricing is transparent and based on your organization's size, system complexity, and current compliance posture. We offer competitive rates with no hidden fees.
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Contact Us for PricingWhat's Included in NIST 800-171 Assessment Pricing:
- Initial scoping and CUI boundary definition
- Comprehensive assessment of all 110 security requirements across 14 families
- Document and evidence review
- Technical security control testing
- Interviews with key personnel
- Gap analysis and findings documentation
- Compliance scoring using DoD methodology
- Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) development
- Detailed assessment report with remediation recommendations
- Post-assessment consultation and guidance
Note: NIST 800-171 assessment pricing varies based on organization size and number of employees, number and complexity of CUI systems in scope, current security maturity and compliance gaps, number of locations requiring assessment, and whether gap remediation support is needed. Contact us for a detailed, no-obligation quote tailored to your specific needs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Find answers to common questions about NIST 800-171 compliance:
NIST Special Publication 800-171 "Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations" establishes cybersecurity requirements for federal contractors handling CUI. It contains 110 security requirements across 14 families of controls. NIST 800-171 is important because it is required by DFARS 252.204-7012 for DoD contractors, mandated across federal agencies for CUI protection, serves as the foundation for CMMC certification, and protects sensitive government information from cyber threats. Non-compliance can result in contract loss, suspension from federal contracting, False Claims Act penalties, and inability to bid on federal work. With over $600 billion in annual federal contract spending, compliance is essential for any organization in the federal marketplace.
NIST 800-171 applies if your organization processes, stores, or transmits Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on behalf of the federal government. This includes federal contractors (prime and subcontractors at any tier), DoD contractors handling Covered Defense Information (CDI), organizations with federal contracts containing DFARS 252.204-7012 or FAR 52.204-21 clauses, service providers and cloud hosting companies supporting federal contractors with CUI, and companies handling technical data subject to export controls for federal programs. If you're unsure whether your organization handles CUI, review your contracts for CUI markings, FAR or DFARS clauses requiring NIST 800-171, or consult with your contracting officer. Glocert International can help assess applicability and CUI scope during initial consultation.
NIST 800-171 is the cybersecurity standard establishing 110 security requirements for protecting CUI in contractor systems. Compliance is currently based on contractor self-assessment with scores submitted to DoD SPRS. CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the DoD's framework for verifying contractor compliance through third-party assessment. CMMC 2.0 has three levels: Level 1 (17 basic requirements for FCI), Level 2 (110 requirements matching NIST 800-171 for CUI, requiring self-assessment or third-party assessment), and Level 3 (additional requirements for critical national security programs, requiring government assessment). CMMC will eventually be required in all DoD contracts. Achieving NIST 800-171 compliance now prepares your organization for mandatory CMMC certification and demonstrates proactive commitment to cybersecurity.
Timeline varies significantly based on organization size, current security maturity, and resources dedicated to compliance. Assessment phase: 2-6 weeks for initial gap assessment and documentation review. Remediation phase: 3-18 months to implement required controls and address identified gaps. Factors affecting timeline: Current security posture (mature security programs achieve compliance faster), number and severity of compliance gaps, complexity of CUI environment and system architecture, availability of personnel and budget for remediation, organizational change management capabilities, and vendor dependencies for security tools and services. Organizations with minimal existing security controls should expect 12-18 months for full compliance. Those with mature security programs (ISO 27001, SOC 2, etc.) may achieve compliance in 3-6 months. Starting early is critical—don't wait until contract award or CMMC requirement to begin compliance efforts.
The Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) is the DoD system where contractors must submit their NIST 800-171 self-assessment scores. The DoD scoring methodology assigns points for each of the 110 requirements, with a maximum score of 110 points (full compliance). Scores are calculated by determining which requirements are implemented, partially implemented, or not implemented. Requirements are weighted differently based on security impact. Who must submit: All DoD contractors and subcontractors with DFARS 252.204-7012 in their contracts must submit scores to SPRS. Scores must be submitted at contract award, at least annually, and within 30 days of changes affecting scores. Many contractors initially submit low scores (50-80 points) with POA&Ms documenting remediation plans. However, low scores may affect contract award decisions and future opportunities. Glocert International can help you conduct your self-assessment using the proper DoD methodology and prepare accurate SPRS submissions.
A Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) documents security requirements that are not yet fully implemented and the remediation plan to achieve compliance. Each POA&M entry includes the specific NIST 800-171 requirement not met, description of the gap or deficiency, risk level and potential impact, planned remediation actions, responsible personnel, estimated completion date, and resources required. POA&Ms are required when you cannot meet all 110 NIST 800-171 requirements immediately. They allow you to maintain contracts while working toward full compliance, provided you demonstrate progress. POA&Ms must be realistic with achievable milestones, prioritized based on risk, actively tracked and updated as remediation progresses, and reviewed with contracting officers if required. Extended POA&Ms (over 180 days) for high-risk items may require risk acceptance by the contracting officer. Glocert International helps organizations develop comprehensive POA&Ms with realistic timelines and prioritization strategies.
Yes, you can use cloud services for CUI, but the cloud provider must meet specific requirements. The cloud environment must provide FedRAMP Moderate or higher authorization, implement NIST 800-171 security requirements applicable to the service model, provide NIST 800-171 compliance attestation or certification, support your NIST 800-171 compliance requirements, and execute contracts flowing down DFARS 252.204-7012 requirements. Major cloud providers (AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, Google Cloud) offer FedRAMP-authorized services with NIST 800-171 alignment. However, responsibility remains with you (the contractor) to ensure overall compliance including access controls, data encryption, incident response, and security assessment. Implementing CUI in commercial cloud requires understanding the shared responsibility model—the cloud provider secures the infrastructure, but you must secure your applications, data, and user access. Glocert International can help assess cloud service provider compliance and design NIST 800-171-compliant cloud architectures.
Organizations commonly struggle with several complex requirements: Multi-factor Authentication (3.5.3): Implementing MFA for all users and privileged accounts; Encryption (3.13.11): Employing FIPS 140-2 validated cryptography for CUI at rest; Audit Logging (3.3.1-3.3.9): Comprehensive logging, protection, and review across all systems; Incident Response (3.6.1-3.6.3): Developing and testing incident response capabilities including 72-hour reporting to DoD; Vulnerability Scanning (3.11.2): Regular vulnerability scanning and timely remediation; Network Segmentation (3.13.1): Separating CUI environments from other networks; Mobile Device Management (3.1.18): Controlling mobile devices accessing CUI; and System Monitoring (3.14.6-3.14.7): Real-time monitoring for cybersecurity events. These requirements often require significant technology investments, process changes, and ongoing maintenance. Glocert International helps prioritize remediation efforts based on risk and provides practical implementation guidance for these challenging requirements.
NIST 800-171 overlaps significantly with other cybersecurity frameworks, allowing organizations to leverage existing compliance efforts: NIST 800-53: 800-171 requirements are derived from 800-53 moderate baseline, tailored for CUI protection; CMMC: CMMC Level 2 directly maps to NIST 800-171 requirements; ISO 27001: Significant overlap in security controls, though ISO 27001 is broader and risk-based; SOC 2: Many Trust Services Criteria align with NIST 800-171 controls (access control, encryption, logging); HIPAA: Similar security and privacy controls for protecting sensitive information; PCI DSS: Overlapping technical controls for protecting sensitive data; FedRAMP: Based on NIST 800-53; FedRAMP Moderate or High authorization supports NIST 800-171 compliance for cloud. Organizations with existing certifications can accelerate NIST 800-171 compliance by mapping controls and leveraging existing evidence. Glocert International provides integrated compliance programs combining NIST 800-171 with ISO 27001, SOC 2, and other frameworks.
Yes, Glocert International provides comprehensive gap remediation support following your NIST 800-171 assessment. Our services include security policy and procedure development, System Security Plan (SSP) creation and maintenance, technical control implementation guidance, security tool selection and configuration recommendations, network segmentation and architecture design, access control and identity management implementation, logging and monitoring solution design, incident response plan development, security awareness training programs, POA&M development and tracking, and ongoing advisory support for continuous compliance. We take a practical approach focused on cost-effective solutions that meet NIST 800-171 requirements while supporting your business operations. Whether you need full remediation support or targeted assistance with specific challenging requirements, Glocert International serves as your partner in achieving and maintaining NIST 800-171 compliance and preparing for CMMC certification.
Why Choose Glocert for NIST 800-171 Compliance?
Expert NIST 800-171 Assessment Services
Glocert International specializes in NIST 800-171 compliance assessment and consulting for federal contractors and organizations handling CUI. Our team has deep expertise in NIST cybersecurity frameworks, federal contracting requirements, CUI protection requirements, CMMC preparation and readiness, and practical implementation of complex security controls. We provide comprehensive gap assessments, remediation guidance, System Security Plan development, POA&M preparation, SPRS scoring assistance, and ongoing compliance support to ensure you achieve and maintain NIST 800-171 compliance.
Federal Contractor and Cybersecurity Expertise
Our team includes certified cybersecurity professionals with expertise in NIST 800-171 and related standards (NIST 800-53, CMMC), federal acquisition regulations (FAR, DFARS), CUI and CDI protection requirements, DoD cybersecurity requirements and initiatives, information security management systems (ISMS), and practical cybersecurity control implementation. We've conducted NIST 800-171 assessments for Defense Industrial Base contractors, aerospace and defense manufacturers, IT service providers and MSPs, engineering and research organizations, and small businesses entering federal contracting. Our federal contractor focus ensures we understand the unique challenges of balancing security requirements with operational realities and budget constraints.
Comprehensive Service Portfolio
Glocert International offers complete NIST 800-171 services including gap assessments against all 110 requirements, technical security testing and validation, System Security Plan (SSP) development, Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) creation, SPRS scoring and submission guidance, remediation roadmap and prioritization, security policy and procedure development, incident response planning, CMMC readiness assessment and preparation, and ongoing compliance monitoring and support. We also provide ISO 27001 certification, SOC 2 audits, and other cybersecurity services, allowing integrated compliance programs that maximize efficiency and leverage shared controls.
Practical, Mission-Focused Approach
We understand that federal contractors need practical, achievable compliance solutions. Our approach focuses on risk-based prioritization addressing highest-risk gaps first, cost-effective implementation leveraging existing tools and processes where possible, scalable solutions that grow with your federal contracting business, realistic timelines and milestones for remediation, clear documentation meeting government requirements, and sustainable compliance programs requiring reasonable ongoing effort. We partner with you to achieve NIST 800-171 compliance while supporting your mission of delivering value to government customers. Our goal is not just compliance—it's building a mature cybersecurity program that protects CUI, satisfies government requirements, and positions you for long-term success in federal contracting.
Related Services
Organizations pursuing NIST 800-171 compliance often need additional cybersecurity and compliance services. Glocert International also provides ISO 27001 certification for information security management, SOC 2 audits for security and availability controls, CMMC readiness assessments preparing for DoD certification, penetration testing and vulnerability assessments, and security awareness training programs. We can coordinate multiple engagements to maximize efficiency, leverage shared evidence and controls, and provide comprehensive cybersecurity validation supporting both federal contracting and commercial customer requirements.
Unlock the Full Potential of Your Organization
Contact us today to learn more about our NIST 800-171 compliance services and how we can help you achieve federal contractor security excellence and protect CUI.
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