If your organization works with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) or other federal agencies, it’s essential to understand how compliance frameworks like NIST SP 800-171, CMMC, and NIST SP 800-53 affect your eligibility for contracts.
These standards are designed to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and other sensitive federal data from cyber threats.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
- What each framework requires
- How they overlap and differ
- What steps your organization must take to achieve and maintain compliance
Whether you’re pursuing a DoD contract or supporting another federal agency, understanding these cybersecurity frameworks is key to staying secure—and competitive.
NIST SP 800-171: Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)
NIST Special Publication 800-171 provides a standardized set of 110 security requirements to protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems.
These requirements are grouped into 14 families, covering areas such as access control, risk assessment, and system integrity.
Key Facts:
- Mandated by the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS), specifically clause 252.204-7012.
- Originally self-attested, current regulations require submission of a score via the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) under DFARS 252.204-7019.
- Compliance is a prerequisite for working with the DoD.
While NIST 800-171 compliance used to be self-assessed, contractors now must submit a self-assessment score and implement a System Security Plan (SSP) and Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M).
CMMC: Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification
To strengthen cybersecurity across the defense supply chain, the DoD introduced the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC). CMMC builds on NIST SP 800-171 and introduces third-party verification.
CMMC 2.0:
| Level | Focus | Based On | Assessment |
| Level 1 | FCI Protection | FAR 52.204-21 (Basic Safeguarding) | Annual self-assessment |
| Level 2 | CUI Protection | NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3 (110 requirements) | Third-party or self-assessment based on contract |
| Level 3 | Advanced Threat Protection | NIST SP 800-172 | Government-led assessments |
Key Changes in CMMC 2.0:
- Streamlined levels (from 5 to 3).
- Alignment with NIST 800-171 Rev. 3 at Level 2.
- Removal of process maturity requirements.
NIST SP 800-53: Broad Federal Security Baselines
NIST SP 800-53 outlines a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls for federal information systems. While not a DoD requirement by default, it’s often mandated in civilian agency contracts and is foundational to broader risk management strategies.
Use Cases:
- Required by federal agencies under FISMA (Federal Information Security Modernization Act).
- Used to establish security control baselines tailored to risk levels (Low, Moderate, High).
SP 800-53 offers 20+ control families ranging from Access Control (AC) to Supply Chain Risk Management (SR), with hundreds of individual controls and enhancements.
Comparison to NIST 800-171:
NIST 800-171 is essentially a tailored subset of NIST 800-53, stripped of federal-specific controls (like personnel clearances or continuous monitoring requirements).
Quick Comparison Table
To help clarify the differences between the three main cybersecurity frameworks, the table below summarizes their purpose, who mandates them, and how they are assessed:
| Framework | Purpose | Mandated By | Assessment Type |
| NIST SP 800-171 | Protect CUI in non-federal systems | DFARS 252.204-7012 | Self-assessed (with score submission) |
| CMMC 2.0 | Certify cybersecurity maturity for DoD work | DFARS 252.204-7021 (pending) | Self + Third-party (C3PAO/Gov) |
| NIST SP 800-53 | Secure federal systems broadly | FISMA (non-DoD agencies) | Audited by agency or third party |
Preparing for Compliance
Organizations aiming to win or retain federal contracts must treat cybersecurity compliance as a strategic priority. Here’s how to prepare:
- Determine your data type: Are you handling Federal Contract Information (FCI), CUI, or both?
- Perform a gap analysis: Map current practices against NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3 or NIST SP 800-53.
- Develop your SSP and POA&M: These documents are essential for both DFARS and CMMC compliance.
- Partner with experts: Work with a consultant or Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP) to guide implementation and remediation.
Kick-Off Your Compliance Journey
For DoD contracts, CMMC certification will soon be non-negotiable. Even if you’re already compliant with NIST SP 800-171, preparing for third-party audits under CMMC 2.0 is critical.
For other federal agencies, understanding and applying NIST SP 800-53 controls may be required. Whether you’re just starting your compliance journey or looking to validate and improve existing controls, now is the time to act.
Get a clear roadmap to CMMC compliance, download our checklist and prepare for certification with confidence.