What is NIST 800-171 Compliance?
NIST 800-171 compliance refers to conformance with the NIST Special Publication 800-171, titled Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations. Developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), this framework defines the security requirements for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) when handled by contractors and partners of U.S. federal agencies.
Why is NIST 800-171 Compliance Important?
NIST 800-171 is a mandatory requirement for organizations in the Department of Defense (DoD) supply chain, as well as those working with NASA, GSA, and other civilian agencies. It applies to any contractor or subcontractor that processes, stores, or transmits CUI, data that, while not classified, is sensitive and protected by federal regulations.
The framework outlines 110 security requirements across 14 families, including:
- Access Control (AC) – Role-based access, least privilege, and session control
- Audit and Accountability (AU) – Logging, monitoring, and retention of access activity
- Identification and Authentication (IA) – MFA, unique user IDs, and credential management
- System and Communications Protection (SC) – Encryption and boundary protection
- Configuration Management (CM) – Change control and secure update processes
Failure to comply with NIST 800-171 can result in contract loss, legal exposure, or disqualification from future federal opportunities.
Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
How Does Xona Help with NIST 800-171 Compliance?
Xona enables compliance with key access-related requirements of NIST 800-171 by enforcing secure, policy-based remote access to critical systems without exposing credentials or expanding the attack surface. Aligned with families like Access Control, Audit and Accountability, and Identification and Authentication, Xona supports:
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
- Role- and time-based access control
- Credential injection to eliminate shared account risks
- Complete session logging and video audit trails
- Protocol isolation and browser-based access
Xona also helps contractors maintain secure access to systems containing CUI during diagnostics, support, or maintenance operations, whether performed by internal staff or third-party vendors, while preserving traceability and data integrity.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWho is required to comply with NIST 800-171?
Any nonfederal organization that processes, stores, or transmits Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on behalf of a U.S. federal agency must comply with NIST 800-171. This includes contractors and subcontractors working with the Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, GSA, and other civilian agencies.
