The Ultimate NIST 800–171 Compliance Checklist: What Most Businesses Miss!

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NIST 800–171, officially known as NIST Special Publication 800–171, is a set of rules from the National Institute of Standards and Technology. These rules are for private companies and organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) — important but not classified government data. The guidelines explain how to properly store, use, and send this type of information.

If your business works with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), following NIST 800–171 isn’t optional — it’s required. These rules are meant to protect CUI on systems that aren’t owned by the government. So if your company works with the DoD and deals with CUI — even if you’re not a federal agency — you must follow this framework.

Government agencies often demand NIST 800–171 compliance from any contractor or vendor they work with who handles CUI. Ignoring these rules can lead to serious consequences like fines or being dropped from contracts. So it’s critical to meet the requirements.

To help make compliance easier, we’ve created a NIST 800–171 checklist. It’s a practical guide designed to help you protect sensitive data, stay on the right side of the law, and keep your business running smoothly.

Why NIST 800–171 Compliance Matters

Complying with NIST 800–171 is non-negotiable for building a solid security foundation. Why is it so important? Because it directly addresses the cybersecurity headaches keeping businesses awake:

• Knowing Your Assets: Clearly identifying what truly needs protecting.
• Effective Risk Management: Handling threats with confidence using your tools.
• Smart Resource Use: Focusing your team on high-impact security tasks.
• Uncovering Vulnerabilities: Finding and fixing hidden weaknesses.
• Team Responsibility: Getting everyone bought into security tasks.
• Board Confidence: Assuring leadership that your plan meets key standards.

NIST 800–171 provides the structure to tackle these challenges head-on, guiding informed decisions and ensuring your organization meets crucial security benchmarks. It’s your essential framework for navigating cybersecurity complexity.

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NIST 800–171 Compliance Checklist: Step-by-Step Guide

The NIST 800–171 checklist is your roadmap to protecting sensitive government data (CUI) and meeting federal compliance rules. If your organization works with the U.S. Department of Defense or handles Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), this checklist helps you stay on track.

1. Understand the Scope of Your Contract

Start by checking if your organization needs to follow NIST 800–171 rules.

If yes, go over the contract carefully to understand what’s expected. Look for details like:

• Following DFARS and other federal security rules
• Meeting CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) requirements
• Making sure staff have the right clearances
• Handling classified information securely
• Hitting technical, security, and delivery targets

This step gives you a clear idea of what parts of NIST 800–171 apply to your work.

2. Confirm If You Handle CUI

Next, find out if your business deals with CUI.

CUI is government-related data that’s sensitive but not classified. You’ll need to check all systems — from employee laptops to contractor tools — to see where CUI lives.

Look for keywords like:

• Critical infrastructure
• Export control
• Statutory

Spotting CUI early makes it easier to manage security later.

3. Classify the Data

Once you find CUI, sort it by category. Why? Because each type might need different levels of protection.

NIST 800–171 breaks CUI into 20 categories. A few examples:

• Defense
• Export Control
• Privacy
• Legal
• Tax
• Procurement
• Patents
• Intelligence
• Transportation

Knowing the category helps you apply the right rules and respond faster during incidents.

4. Collect Key Documentation

To pass a NIST audit, you’ll need clear records. Prepare documentation that shows your compliance, including:

• System and network diagrams
• Data flow maps
• Security procedures
• Employee access lists and training logs
• Change records for systems or processes

5. Perform a Gap Analysis

Before going for certification, run a pre-check to see where you fall short.

Start with access controls, then move to other areas. Document any missing controls or weaknesses.

6. Build and Test Security Controls

Your controls are the guardrails. They should protect data, meet legal requirements, and match industry standards.

Already have cybersecurity policies? Good — but make sure they fully align with all 14 control families in NIST 800–171.

SecureSlate helps by auto-mapping controls, tagging them by system type (production or non-production), and letting you exclude low-risk assets from audits. This makes testing easier and more efficient.

7. Collect Proof for Audits

Next, you’ll need to gather evidence that proves you’re compliant.

That includes screenshots, logs, policies, system settings, and audit trails

This not only helps during audits but also builds accountability during incidents. With SecureSlate , you can automate evidence collection, schedule tasks, upload documents, and get alerts, making compliance smoother.

8. Continuously Monitor Your Systems

Compliance isn’t “set it and forget it.” You need ongoing monitoring to detect risks and stay compliant.

SecureSlate offers 24/7 monitoring and connects with your systems — cloud apps, code, infrastructure, devices, to track compliance in real time. With over integrations and custom APIs, SecureSlate gives you a full view of your security posture.

9. Train Your Employees

Security starts with your people. Train your staff on how to handle CUI and follow compliance practices.

Create a training plan that includes a baseline assessment of employee knowledge, clear learning goals, engaging content (videos, quizzes, PDFs, etc)

Conclusion

Navigating NIST 800–171 is vital for data protection and avoiding penalties. While complex, it’s manageable with a step-by-step approach. Using tools like SecureSlate automates processes and simplifies compliance. Follow the checklist, train your team, and leverage automation to achieve and maintain compliance, building trust with partners.

Ready to Streamline Compliance?

Building a secure foundation for your startup is crucial, but navigating the complexities of achieving compliance can be a hassle, especially for small teams.

SecureSlate offers a simpler solution:

• Affordable: Expensive compliance software shouldn’t be a barrier. Our affordable plans start at just $99/month.
• Focus on Your Business, Not Paperwork: Automate tedious tasks and free up your team to focus on innovation and growth.
• Gain Confidence and Credibility: Our platform guides you through the process, ensuring you meet all essential requirements and giving you peace of mind.

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