What is NIST compliance

NIST compliance means following the cybersecurity standards published by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). These frameworks outline best practices for protecting systems, data, and networks.

For companies, being NIST compliant shows that they have implemented strong security controls, assessed risks, and built policies that align with federal and industry benchmarks. It does not always mean a formal certification, but it does mean the organization has adopted NIST guidelines as part of its security program.

What is the purpose of NIST compliance?

The primary purpose of NIST compliance is to create a consistent, measurable approach to cybersecurity. It helps organizations:

• Reduce the likelihood of data breaches and cyberattacks
• Protect sensitive information such as customer records or government data
• Meet regulatory or contractual requirements, especially in industries like healthcare, finance, and federal contracting
• Build trust with customers, regulators, and partners

Why is NIST compliance important?

Cyber threats continue to rise, and regulators are demanding higher standards for data protection. Without a structured framework, organizations often leave gaps in their defenses.

NIST compliance is important because it:

• Provides a recognized benchmark for assessing security posture
• Helps organizations align with other standards such as SOC2, ISO 27001, or HIPAA
• Reduces financial and reputational damage from breaches
• Supports global operations by creating a consistent security baseline across regions

For information technology and security leaders, NIST frameworks act as a roadmap: they take the guesswork out of IT compliance and turn security into a structured, auditable process.

What frameworks are part of NIST compliance?

NIST has developed several key frameworks and special publications that guide organizations in improving cybersecurity. Each has a different focus and level of detail. Together, these frameworks provide different layers of guidance: the CSF sets the high-level strategy, SP 800-53 provides the detailed control catalog, SP 800-171 applies those controls to sensitive government data in the private sector, and SP 1800 shows how to implement them in real systems.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF 2.0)

First released in 2014 and updated to version 2.0 in 2024, the CSF is a voluntary framework designed for all sectors. It organizes cybersecurity activities into five core functions:

1. Identify
2. Protect
3. Detect
4. Respond
5. Recover

Within these functions, there are categories and subcategories that organizations can map their controls to. CSF 2.0 adds more emphasis on governance and supply chain risk management, making it useful not only for technical teams but also for executives and boards.

NIST SP 800-53 (Security and Privacy Controls)

This is a detailed catalog of over 1,000 security and privacy controls, grouped into families such as access control, audit, incident response, and system integrity. SP 800-53 is primarily used by U.S. federal agencies and contractors, but private companies also adopt it to create a rigorous control framework. The latest revision (Rev. 5) expands coverage to modern threats like supply chain risks and privacy engineering.

NIST SP 1800 series (Practice Guides)

These are hands-on, scenario-based guides developed by NIST’s National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE). They show how to implement specific controls using commercially available products. For example, SP 1800-30 explains how to secure industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) devices, and SP 1800-35 focuses on implementing zero trust architecture. These guides are especially useful for IT teams that need “how-to” examples, not just abstract requirements.

NIST SP 800-88 (Media Sanitization Guidelines)

This special publication provides methods for securely erasing data from storage media such as hard drives, SSDs, and mobile devices before disposal or reuse. It defines three levels of sanitization: Clear, Purge, and Destroy. SP 800-88 is widely adopted in IT asset disposition policies. Following its guidance ensures sensitive data cannot be recovered from decommissioned devices.

What are the core requirements of NIST compliance?

The specific requirements differ by framework, but here’s a more detailed breakdown of common control areas, aligned with NIST’s official publications:

What are the benefits of NIST compliance?

Achieving NIST compliance delivers more than just regulatory peace of mind. It strengthens overall security and positions an organization to operate more effectively in high-risk or regulated environments.

• Improved security posture: NIST frameworks provide a structured approach to protecting data and systems, reducing the likelihood of breaches.
• Regulatory alignment: Many compliance programs, including HIPAA, SOC2, CMMC, and ISO 27001, map to NIST controls. Meeting NIST requirements makes it easier to demonstrate compliance with these standards.
• Lower financial risk: Data breaches cost millions in remediation, downtime, and reputational damage. NIST compliance reduces the probability and impact of such incidents.
• Customer and partner trust: Demonstrating compliance reassures clients, regulators, and supply chain partners that security is a priority.
• Better incident response: With defined processes for detection and recovery, organizations can respond more quickly and effectively to security events.
• Scalable security: NIST frameworks work for organizations of all sizes, from small contractors handling sensitive data to global enterprises with distributed teams.

See also: A Lost Laptop Is an Inconvenience, a Stolen Identity Is a Catastrophe

What is an example of NIST compliance?

Consider a mid-sized technology company that secures a subcontract with the U.S. Department of Defense. Because the work involves Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), the company must comply with NIST SP 800-171.

The IT team begins with a gap analysis, comparing current practices to the 14 control families outlined in the standard. Weak spots quickly emerge, such as:

• Employees reusing passwords across multiple systems
• No formal process for erasing data from retired laptops
• Inconsistent monitoring of cloud environments

To close these gaps, the company needs to:

1. Implement multi-factor authentication on all accounts
2. Adopt offboarding procedures that follow NIST SP 800-88 for secure data sanitization
3. Deploy centralized logging and monitoring for real-time alerts
4. Provide security awareness training for all staff

By documenting controls and performing regular audits, the company aligns with NIST requirements and maintains eligibility for federal contracts. This practical example shows how compliance is less about checking boxes and more about embedding secure processes into daily IT operations.

NIST compliance vs other frameworks

NIST frameworks are widely used in the U.S., but they are not the only cybersecurity and compliance standards organizations follow. Many companies operate across borders or industries that require them to meet multiple frameworks at once. Below are the most common comparisons and how NIST aligns or differs from each.

NIST vs ISO 27001

NIST provides detailed controls and guidance (especially in SP 800-53 and SP 800-171). ISO 27001, on the other hand, is a certifiable international standard that focuses on building an Information Security Management System (ISMS). Many organizations use NIST to design controls and ISO 27001 to certify them.

NIST vs SOC 2

SOC 2 is an auditing standard developed by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) that evaluates five trust principles: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy. NIST frameworks are more prescriptive, providing specific controls to implement. SOC 2 is principle-based, requiring evidence that systems and processes meet high-level criteria. Companies often map NIST controls to SOC 2 trust principles to streamline audits.

NIST vs HIPAA

HIPAA is a U.S. law that regulates the protection of healthcare data. NIST frameworks are not laws but provide detailed security controls that healthcare organizations can adopt to satisfy HIPAA’s requirements. For example, NIST SP 800-66 offers a mapping between NIST controls and HIPAA standards, making it easier for healthcare providers to stay compliant.

NIST vs GDPR

GDPR is a European regulation focused on privacy rights and data protection. While NIST is not legally required outside the U.S., its controls can help multinational companies meet GDPR obligations such as data security, access control, and breach response.

How Deel IT supports NIST compliance

Meeting NIST requirements often depends on consistent control of devices, identities, and data. Deel IT helps organizations align with key NIST control areas by:

• Secure device provisioning: Laptops and hardware are shipped preconfigured with encryption, security policies, and access controls.
• Automated compliance monitoring: Device health, patch status, and configuration are tracked to reduce the risk of noncompliance.
• Data protection during offboarding: Certified data erasure is applied in line with NIST SP 800-88 media sanitization guidelines.
• Integration with identity and access management: Strong authentication methods are supported, including hardware keys like YubiKey.
• Global coverage: Consistent policies are enforced across distributed teams in different regions and time zones.

Book a demo today to see how we can help simplify compliance and secure your global workforce.