Compliance Consulting & Readiness Support
Targeted guidance to help defense contractors protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and meet DoD contractual requirements.
What This Service Is
NIST Special Publication 800-171 defines security requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Covered Defense Information (CDI) when it resides in non-federal systems and organizations.
Issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), SP 800-171 applies to U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) contractors and subcontractors that handle CUI under federal contracts. Compliance is a contractual requirement, not a certification, and organizations are responsible for implementing and maintaining the required safeguards.
RSI Security provides advisory, readiness, and implementation support to help organizations understand their obligations, assess gaps, and operationalize the security requirements defined in NIST SP 800-171.
Security Requirements
Control Families
Request Assessment Availability
When This Service Is Needed
Organizations typically engage NIST 800-171 support when:
Handling CUI or CDI under DoD contracts or subcontracts
Preparing for CMMC alignment or future DoD assessments
Responding to contract clauses requiring NIST 800-171 compliance
Addressing identified gaps from internal or third-party reviews
Strengthening cybersecurity maturity across defense-related systems
This service commonly supports CMMC, NIST SP 800-53, and broader federal compliance initiatives.
How RSI Security Delivers NIST 800-171 Support
Our approach focuses on practical implementation and defensible readiness, without overstating outcomes.
RSI Security
Gap Assessment
Evaluate current controls against NIST SP 800-171 requirements to identify deficiencies and risks.
RSI Security
Remediation Planning
Develop a prioritized roadmap aligned to contract obligations, system scope, and organizational capacity.
RSI Security
Implementation Guidance
Support control implementation across technical, administrative, and procedural domains, including documentation alignment.
RSI Security
Readiness Validation
Conduct pre-assessment reviews to confirm controls, evidence, and processes are in place prior to external scrutiny.
Outcomes & Value
Clear understanding of contractual and security obligations
Reduced risk of noncompliance and contract disruption
Improved protection of CUI and CDI
Structured, repeatable security practices
Stronger alignment with DoD and federal expectations
This service is designed to support readiness and risk reduction, not to issue certifications or compliance determinations.
How This Fits Into a Larger Compliance Program
NIST SP 800-171 is often a foundational requirement within broader defense and federal compliance efforts. RSI Security commonly integrates this service with:
This ensures NIST 800-171 requirements are not treated in isolation, but as part of a sustainable security program.
About RSI Security's Role
RSI Security provides independent advisory and readiness support for NIST SP 800-171. We:
- Help organizations interpret requirements and implement controls
- Support documentation and readiness activities
- Certify compliance or issue government determinations
- Replace government assessors or accreditation bodies
Clients retain full flexibility in how and when they pursue formal assessments or related compliance initiatives.
Resources & Education
Explore practical guidance to support your NIST SP 800-171 efforts:
Readiness Checklists and Gap Assessment Guides
Federal Compliance Insights and Best Practices
Related Resources for CMMC and NIST Frameworks
Common FAQs
What is NIST SP 800-171?
NIST SP 800-171 defines security requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) when it resides in non-federal systems, including those of DoD contractors and subcontractors. It's a contractual requirement under DFARS clauses, not a certification.
How many requirements does NIST SP 800-171 have?
Revision 2, the current version used for CMMC and DFARS compliance, has 110 security requirements across 14 control families. Revision 3, published in May 2024, restructures this to 97 requirements across 17 families, but has not yet been adopted for CMMC or DFARS assessments.
Is NIST SP 800-171 the same as CMMC?
No. NIST SP 800-171 is the underlying security standard. CMMC is the DoD's assessment and certification program that verifies compliance with it. CMMC Level 2 is built directly on the 110 Revision 2 requirements.
Ready to Talk Through Your NIST 800-171 Path?
If you're handling Controlled Unclassified Information or preparing for defense-related compliance obligations, let's discuss how NIST SP 800-171 applies to your environment.