What is NIST SP 800-171? Tips for NIST SP 800-171 Compliance | UpGuard

This document explains NIST SP 800-171 and how it protects Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems, detailing who must comply, the 14 control families, and required artifacts like System Security Plans (SSPs) and Plans of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms). It outlines contractual and regulatory drivers (DFARS/CMMC), real-world repercussions of non-compliance, and clarifies how 800-171 maps to NIST SP 800-53 and FISMA while operating within a shared-responsibility model alongside FedRAMP. The report also defines CUI, lists example categories from the CUI Registry, and highlights tools and processes organizations can use to assess and monitor compliance.