What is NIST Compliance?

NIST stands for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is a non-regulatory government agency that plays a vital role in advancing measurement science and fostering innovation. There are NIST standards and guidelines that federal agencies, government contractors, and private businesses adhere to as a measure to increase their information systems security. It is also a step towards protecting their sensitive data. Companies that deal with controlled unclassified information or work directly with the federal government might be mandated to become NIST compliant.

In this guide, you will learn more about what it takes to obtain NIST compliance and the benefits of being NIST compliant.

What is NIST Compliance?

NIST compliance refers to meeting the requirements set as part of the NIST guidelines for cybersecurity. When you are NIST compliant, it means that you have adopted the standards of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework. It also expresses your commitment to continue ensuring compliance over time as the NIST standards evolve together with the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. As cybersecurity threats develop, it is important to stay abreast on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to ensure that you have the latest security controls that will enable you to overcome vulnerabilities and other cybersecurity threats.