NIST 800-171 Compliance Checklist – Get To Know All The Technical Concepts
NIST 800-171 compliance checklist is a codification of requirements, which a non-federal computer system have to follow to save, process, and transmit the CUI (Controlled Unclassified Information). It provides cloud information security for the systems involved within it. It is a framework specifying the methods to set up the information machines and policies for securing the CUI. NIST 800-171 demands the contractors and subcontractors who are involved in meeting and maintaining the standards of security and compliance regulations.
What Demands The Existence Of NIST 800-171?
The Department of Defense requires meeting with Covered Defense Information for discussing the cybersecurity. The DOD is trying to increase the security level up to a higher standard. Well, this was a short description that describes the demand for NIST 800-171 in the digital world.
NIST 800-171 Compliance Checklist Through CASB Solution
Following are some common points for configuration of security management while using NIST 800-171:
- Judge Cloud Security Needs: Identify and note down the current state of cloud information security in your business. The activities like analyzing data maps, filling the compliance matrix, and interaction with employees, etc., can be carried away for the same. All this will help in determining the list be taken for becoming a NIST compliant.
- Map the Entire Data Network: Generate the DFDs i.e., Data flow diagrams for tracking that how CUI crosses through the network and identify the places where it saves and processes the data. Using the data loss prevention solutions, organizations will be able to monitor data in an active, motion, and rest mode. This DLP approach allows generation of a comprehensive report. The report comprises of data processing and storage details, required for presentation in front of authorities whenever asked.
- Selection of Accurate Data Controls: The next NIST 800-171 Compliance checklist says that you have to identify the machine part thoroughly along with security controls. In case, you are having an outsource for the processing of information and dealing with CSPs then, you have to move your attention towards the data flow and analyze the data being used. The CASB data loss prevention providers permit organizations to analyze, monitor and secure the potential data breaches. This will involve the DLP mechanism based on API and preventive measures when data is inactive or stationary state.
- Activate All the Cloud Access Controls: In an organization, there are number employees who works with CUI data. This scenario might lead to unauthorized access or wrong sharing of information. Through this NIST 800-171 Compliance checklist point, organizations will be allowed to use restriction policies. The policies involve limiting of data from unknown geolocation, device, web browsers, etc.
- Apply the Identity Verification Rules: It becomes essential for enterprises to assure that whether the data is getting accessed by authorized users only or someone unknown is also working with it? To keep yourself updated on the same, an Identity management feature is needed. This demands to apply of user identification and verification policies. Multi-factor authorization, complex password policies, biometric authorization, etc., can be used for the same.
Why Enterprises Process CDI And CUI?
Here, the major purpose is to secure the CDI (Covered Defense Information) and the CUI. Apart from this, the entire on-premises network needs to be evaluated, at least once in a week or month. If a focus is done on isolation and on adding of compliance matrix on systems processing CUI and CDI then, this will surely help businesses in reducing their implementation costs.
Conclusion
The perspective of writing the article is to make businesses aware from the fact that ‘it is mandatory to be a NIST 800-171 compliant’ if they are DOD contractors or subcontractors. It will be completely their decision whether they want to apply everything in their house or in the workplace. If an enterprise is already having a staff dedicated for cybersecurity then, it will be easier for them to soon become a compliant.
