NIST SP 800-53 Rev. 5: The Ultimate Guide

A recent study revealed that cyber attacks cost businesses a staggering $4.45 million annually. To combat this, an executive order was recently signed, which mandated agencies to manage cybersecurity risks effectively. 

This reinforced the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) of 2014, giving birth to the NIST cybersecurity framework 800-53. 

In this blog, we provide you with a complete guide to understanding and implementing the NIST SP 800-53 cybersecurity framework. 

What is NIST SP 800-53?

NIST 800 53 is a set of controls carefully curated by the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL). These controls provide a comprehensive framework for safeguarding sensitive data against various threats, ranging from natural disasters to malicious attacks.

NIST 800-53 is a security compliance standard with a list of controls that highlights the creation of a safe and secure federal information system. 

NIST 800-53 isn’t just for the government; it’s a tool any organization can use to bolster its security posture. The controls in the standard are technical, operational, and management related to maintaining confidentiality, availability, and data integrity. 

NIST cybersecurity framework 800-53 is required for all U.S. federal information systems, except for those related to national security. It is technology-neutral and can be taken up by any company operating an information system with sensitive or regulated data. 

If you want to know more about the set of controls present in NIST 800 53, download the resource below:

What is the purpose of NIST 800 53?

The purpose of NIST SP 800-53 is to enhance the security posture of information systems utilized by the federal government. The purpose of NIST is to furnish guidelines in the form of a catalog of controls, which facilitate the development of secure information systems.

The process takes you through categorizing your information system at a low-, medium-, or high-security level. With these categories, you compare the NIST 800-53’s security catalog and determine which applies to your firm.

However, the core components of NIST cybersecurity framework 800-53 are divided into five areas:

Each area of focus is chock-full of activities that work together to keep your systems secure. These activities are not just your average, run-of-the-mill tasks—they’re the leading information security practices and incident response plans that’ll help you stay ahead of the game.

Also read our detailed guide on NIST Compliance

Who needs to comply with NIST 800 53?

By mandate, US-based contractors and federal government agencies need to comply with NIST 800 53. However, other state and private organizations still use it as their security control framework. 

If you’re unaware of the systems on your network or if you’re caught off-guard by unexpected admin accounts or abnormal applications, you lack a baseline from which to manage your network.

NIST 800 53 will serve as a bird’s eye view of your network, down to the tiniest details. This level of visibility is not just important; it can be  a game-changer 

And to effectively do this, you need a compliance automation platform like Sprinto. Speak to our compliance experts. 

How to implement the NIST 800 53 framework?

NIST 800-53 framework says to deploy strong security assessment tools to understand the real-time security posture of your organization. 

Here are the 5 steps to implement the NIST 800 53 framework in your organization:

1. Setting the stage for success

Congratulations on taking the first step toward implementing the NIST Framework! The key to achieving success is establishing a clear set of goals for data security. Ask yourself questions like, “What are your risk tolerance levels?” or “Where should you prioritize protection?” By creating a set of goals, you can create a plan of action, define the scope of your security efforts, and ensure everyone in your organization is on the same page.

2. Assessing your current position

The next step is to assess your organization’s cybersecurity efforts through a detailed risk assessment. This provides valuable insights into which of your current efforts meet NIST standards and what needs to be improved. You can use open source or hire a cybersecurity specialist to assess thoroughly.

To see this revolutionizing feature in action, here’s a video you can refer to:

3. Tailored approach 

The NIST 800-53 framework provides voluntary guidelines applicable to a wide range of industries. However, each business is unique and requires a tailored approach. 

Creating a profile outlining your needs ensures the framework is tailored to your organization’s requirements. Utilizing the Implementation Tiers can elevate your organization’s cybersecurity measures from reactive to proactive.

4. Identifying gaps and creating an action plan

Communicate the findings from the risk assessment with key stakeholders to determine vulnerabilities and threats to your operations, assets, and individuals. Use the results to conduct a gap analysis and prioritize which areas must be addressed first. This will form the basis of your action plan.

5. Implementing and continuously improving

Now, it’s time to put the NIST 800-53 framework into action. However, it’s important to note that implementation is just the beginning. 

Continuous monitoring and improvement are necessary to ensure the framework is customized to your business’s needs. Keep iterating and improving to stay ahead of the ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape.

However, you don’t need to implement this manually. The better way is to let Sprinto take the front seat.

As Sprinto is an always-on compliance system, it seamlessly integrates with your existing controls and automatically gathers audit-ready evidence. 

This way, you’ll stay ahead of your compliance status with ongoing monitoring and automated remediation workflows.