1. Home
  2. |Insights
  3. |Double Whammy: NIST Unveils Draft Enhanced Security Requirements and Revisions to NIST SP 800-171

Double Whammy: NIST Unveils Draft Enhanced Security Requirements and Revisions to NIST SP 800-171

Client Alert | 1 min read | 06.21.19

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released drafts of NIST SP 800-171 Revision 2 and a companion standard NIST SP 800-171B, designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) from advanced persistent threats (APTs). 800-171B details 33 “enhanced” controls, reflecting core principles of penetration resistance, damage-limiting operations, and resiliency. Specific controls include those related to segregation, hunt teams, AI-enabled tools, IoT security, and supply chain – some of which arguably do not have firm industry definitions.

Unlike the non-substantive updates to Revision 2, 800-171B will apply only to contractors handling CUI that the government determines is part of a “critical program” or is a “high value asset.” A cost estimate from the Department of Defense – expected to quickly implement 800-171B – anticipates that less than one percent of its contractors will be impacted but that (allowable) costs could exceed $1 million.

Comments for all three documents are due July 19, 2019. 

Insights

Client Alert | 8 min read | 01.17.25

Cyber For All: Proposed Rule Introduces Government-Wide CUI Cybersecurity Requirements

On January 15, 2025, the FAR Council released a proposed rule (FAR CUI Rule) that would amend the FAR to implement federal government-wide Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) cybersecurity, training, and incident reporting requirements for government contractors and subcontractors.  The rule’s key cybersecurity requirements closely mirror the Department of Defense’s Cyber Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) program (for example, compliance with National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-171, Revision 2), but broaden the scope to include contractors and subcontractors working across all federal agencies.  The Rule is intended to standardize the handling of CUI by federal government contractors and subcontractors in accordance with Executive Order 13556, including by:...