[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 19)

[Assistant]
|                                                                                |
| D.4.1.10.
Revision and Maintenance...............................................................................................228                                                                                |                                                                                |
| Appendix E. FASCSA......................................................................................................................... | 230                                                                                |
| E.1.1. Purpose, Audience, and Background........................................................................................230                                                                                |                                                                                |
| E.1.2. Scope ........................................................................................................................................230                                                                          |                                                                                |
| E.1.3. Relationship to NIST SP 800-161, Rev. 1, Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations ...........................................................................................231 |                                                                                |
| E.2.1.

Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations

Risk Assessment
Maintenance
Access Control
System and Communications Protection
System and Information Integrity
Incident Response
Physical Protection
Identification and Authentication
Planning
System and Services Acquisition
Media Protection
Awareness and Training
Audit and Accountability
Supply Chain Risk Management
Configuration Management
Personnel Security
Security Assessment


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 18)

[Assistant]
adversarial group that possesses the expertise and resources that allow it to create opportunities to achieve its objectives by using multiple attack vectors, including cyber, physical, and deception.
The APT objectives include establishing a foothold within the infrastructure of targeted organizations for purposes of exfiltrating information; undermining or impeding critical aspects of a mission, function, program, or organization; or positioning itself to carry out these objectives in the future. The APT pursues its objectives repeatedly over an extended period, adapts to defenders' efforts to resist it, and is determined to maintain the level of interaction needed to execute its objectives. While the category of CUI itself does not require greater protection, CUI associated with critical programs or high value assets is at greater risk because the APT is more likely to target such information and therefore requires additional protection. ## CUI ENHANCED SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

Controlled Unclassified Information has the same value , whether such information is resident in a  federal  system  that  belongs  to  a  federal  agency  or  a  nonfederal  system  that  belongs  to  a nonfederal organization. Accordingly, the enhanced security requirements in this publication are consistent with and complementary to the guidelines used by federal agencies to protect CUI. The requirements are only applicable to a nonfederal system or nonfederal organization as mandated by a federal agency in a contract, grant, or other agreement. The APT is extremely dangerous to the national and economic security interests of the United States since organizations are very dependent on systems of all types, including traditional Information Technology (IT) systems, Operational Technology (OT) systems, Internet of Things

6  [32 CFR 2002] was issued on September 14, 2016, and went into effect on November 14, 2016.

Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What guidance does NIST provide for CMMC Level 3?

[Assistant]
According to Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171:

## NIST Special Publication 800-172

## Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information

A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171

RON ROSS VICTORIA PILLITTERI GARY GUISSANIE RYAN WAGNER RICHARD GRAUBART

DEB BODEAU

This publication is available free of charge from:

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-172

<!-- image -->

## NIST Special Publication 800-172

## Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information

A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171

## RON ROSS VICTORIA PILLITTERI

Computer Security Division

National Institute of Standards and Technology

## GARY GUISSANIE RYAN WAGNER

Institute for Defense Analyses

RICHARD GRAUBART DEB BODEAU

The MITRE Corporation

This publication is available free of charge from:

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-172

## February 2021

<!-- image -->

U.S. Department of Commerce Wynn Coggins, Acting Secretary

National Institute of Standards and Technology James K. Olthoff, Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions and Duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology & Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## Authority

This publication has been developed by NIST to further its statutory responsibilities under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), 44 U.S.C. § 3551 et seq. , Public Law (P.L.) 113-283. NIST is responsible for developing information security standards and guidelines, including minimum requirements for federal information systems, but such standards and guidelines shall not apply to national security systems without the express approval of the appropriate federal officials exercising policy authority over such systems.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for Security Assessment?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

| Access Control                    | Maintenance         | Security Assessment and Monitoring   |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Awareness and Training            | Media Protection    | System and Communications Protection |
| Audit and Accountability          | Personnel Security  | System and Information Integrity     |
| Configuration Management          | Physical Protection | Planning                             |
| Identification and Authentication | Risk Assessment     | System and Services Acquisition      |
| Incident Response                 |                     | Supply Chain Risk Management         |

Below is an example of the Incident Response Testing requirement, which is part of the Incident Response (IR) family. The structure and content of a typical security requirement includes:

ODPs support consistent security assessments in determining whether security requirements have been satisfied. If a federal agency or a consortium of agencies do not specify a particular value or range of values for an ODP, nonfederal organizations must assign the value or values to complete the security requirement.

Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC require for Identification and Authentication?

[Assistant]
According to Assessing Security and Privacy Controls in Information Systems and Organizations:

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1   PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY .......................................................................................................... 1
1.2   TARGET AUDIENCE ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.3   RELATED PUBLICATIONS AND ASSESSMENT PROCESSES ............................................................... 4
1.4   ORGANIZATION OF THIS PUBLICATION ........................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER TWO THE FUNDAMENTALS ..................................................................................................... 6
2.1   ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE .................................................. 6
2.2   CONTROL STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION .................................................................................. 7
2.3   BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE ASSURANCE CASE .................................................................................... 8
2.4   ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES: ASSESSMENT OBJECTS, METHODS AND OBJECTIVES ................... 11
CHAPTER THREE THE PROCESS ............................................................................................................. 19
3.1   PREPARE FOR SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONTROL ASSESSMENTS ............................................... 19
3.2   DEVELOP SECURITY AND PRIVACY ASSESSMENT PLANS .............................................................. 23
3.3   CONDUCT SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONTROL ASSESSMENTS ..................................................... 30
3.4   ANALYZE ASSESSMENT REPORT RESULTS .....................................................................................

Assessing Security and Privacy Controls in Information Systems and Organizations


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for Personnel Security?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

| Access Control                    | Maintenance         | Security Assessment and Monitoring   |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Awareness and Training            | Media Protection    | System and Communications Protection |
| Audit and Accountability          | Personnel Security  | System and Information Integrity     |
| Configuration Management          | Physical Protection | Planning                             |
| Identification and Authentication | Risk Assessment     | System and Services Acquisition      |
| Incident Response                 |                     | Supply Chain Risk Management         |

Description: Ensuring personnel are made aware of the security risks associated with their activities and of the applicable laws, directives, policies, standards, regulations, or procedures related to the security of organizational systems; and ensuring that organizational personnel are adequately trained to carry out their assigned information security-related duties and responsibilities.

Regularly provide basic and advanced security literacy training to new and existing staff. Customize the content to make it relevant -based on the systems that personnel have authorized access to, contextualized to the work environments of personnel (e.g., telework, shop floor), and tailored to the specific roles of personnel. The content should include:


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 11)

[Assistant]
..................................................... 11                       | CHAPTER THREE THE REQUIREMENTS.........................................................................................
11                       |
| 3.1 ACCESSCONTROL                                                                                | .................................................................................................................. 12                            |
| 3.2 AWARENESSANDTRAINING                                                                                | ................................................................................................... 13                                           |
| 3.3 AUDIT ANDACCOUNTABILITY                                                                                | ................................................................................................. 14                                             |
| 3.4 CONFIGURATIONMANAGEMENT                                                                                | ........................................................................................... 14                                                   |
| 3.5 IDENTIFICATIONANDAUTHENTICATION                                                                                | ................................................................................. 16                                                             |
| 3.6 INCIDENT RESPONSE                                                                                | ..............................................................................................................


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Assessing Enhanced Security Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information provide? (Part 4)

[Assistant]
ederal systems and organizations is important to federal agencies and can directly impact the ability of the Federal Government to successfully carry out its assigned missions and business operations.
This publication provides federal agencies and nonfederal organizations with assessment procedures that can be used to carry out assessments of the requirements in NIST Special Publication 800172, Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information: A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 . The assessment procedures are flexible and can be tailored to the needs of organizations and assessors. Assessments can be conducted as 1) self-assessments; 2) independent, third-party assessments; or 3) government-sponsored assessments. The assessments can be conducted with varying degrees of rigor based on customer-defined depth and coverage attributes. The findings and evidence produced during the assessments can be used to facilitate risk-based decisions by organizations related to the CUI enhanced security requirements. ## Keywords

assessment; assessment method; assessment object; assessment procedure; assurance; enhanced security requirement; enhanced security requirement assessment; Controlled Unclassified Information; coverage; CUI Registry; depth; Executive Order 13556; FISMA; NIST Special Publication 800-53; NIST Special Publication 800-53A; NIST Special Publication 800-171; NIST Special Publication 800-172; NIST Special Publication 800-172A; nonfederal organization; nonfederal system; security assessment; security control.

Assessing Enhanced Security Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What guidance does NIST provide for CMMC Level 3?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

<!-- image -->

<!-- image -->

Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce

<!-- image -->

Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3 Small Business Primer

## Purpose of this Primer

This guide provides small businesses with an overview of NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-171 Revision 3, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations . The following pages contain:

- An overview of foundational components of SP 800-171
- A list of frequently asked questions and their answers
- Tips for getting started
- Related resources

## What is Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)?*

CUI is information the government creates or possesses, or that an entity creates or possesses on behalf of the government, that law, regulation, or governmentwide policy requires you to take technical and operational steps to protect. Systems that process, store, and transmit CUI often support government programs involving sensitive critical assets. As part of a contractual agreement with the federal government, or possibly with other organizations like municipal governments, prime contractors, universities, etc., you will likely be required to demonstrate you are taking adequate measures to protect CUI.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC require for Media Protection?

[Assistant]
According to Assessing Security and Privacy Controls in Information Systems and Organizations:

CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 1
1.1   PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY .......................................................................................................... 1
1.2   TARGET AUDIENCE ............................................................................................................................ 4
1.3   RELATED PUBLICATIONS AND ASSESSMENT PROCESSES ............................................................... 4
1.4   ORGANIZATION OF THIS PUBLICATION ........................................................................................... 5
CHAPTER TWO THE FUNDAMENTALS ..................................................................................................... 6
2.1   ASSESSMENTS WITHIN THE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT LIFE CYCLE .................................................. 6
2.2   CONTROL STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION .................................................................................. 7
2.3   BUILDING AN EFFECTIVE ASSURANCE CASE .................................................................................... 8
2.4   ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES: ASSESSMENT OBJECTS, METHODS AND OBJECTIVES ................... 11
CHAPTER THREE THE PROCESS ............................................................................................................. 19
3.1   PREPARE FOR SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONTROL ASSESSMENTS ............................................... 19
3.2   DEVELOP SECURITY AND PRIVACY ASSESSMENT PLANS .............................................................. 23
3.3   CONDUCT SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONTROL ASSESSMENTS ..................................................... 30
3.4   ANALYZE ASSESSMENT REPORT RESULTS .....................................................................................


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 20)

[Assistant]
and communications. Therefore, CUI that is processed, stored, or transmitted by any of the above systems related to a critical program or high value asset requires additional protection from the APT.
## 1.1   PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY

The purpose of this publication is to provide federal agencies with a set of enhanced security requirements 9 for protecting the confidentiality , integrity , and availability of CUI: (1) when the CUI is resident in a nonfederal system and organization, (2) when the nonfederal organization is not collecting or maintaining information on behalf of a federal agency or using or operating a system on behalf of an agency, 10 and (3) where there are no specific safeguarding requirements for protecting the CUI prescribed by the authorizing law, regulation, or government-wide policy for the CUI category listed in the CUI Registry. 11 The enhanced security requirements address the protection of CUI by promoting: (1) penetration-resistant architecture, (2) damage-limiting operations, and (3) designs to achieve cyber resiliency and survivability. 12 The enhanced security requirements are intended to supplement the basic and derived security requirements in [SP 800-171] and are for use by federal agencies in contractual vehicles or other agreements established between those agencies and nonfederal organizations. The enhanced security requirements apply to components 13 of nonfederal systems that process, store, or transmit CUI associated with a critical program or a high value asset or that provide security protection for such components. If nonfederal organizations designate specific system components for the processing, storage, or transmission of CUI associated with a critical program or a high value asset, those organizations may limit the scope of the enhanced security requirements by isolating the designated system components in a separate CUI security domain.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for System and Information Integrity?

[Assistant]
According to Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171:

This publication is a supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 [SP 800-171]. It contains recommendations  for  enhanced  security  requirements  to  provide  additional  protection  for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in nonfederal systems and organizations when such information is  associated  with critical  programs  or  high  value  assets. The  enhanced  security requirements are designed to respond to the advanced persistent threat (APT) and supplement the basic and derived security requirements in [SP 800-171]. While the security requirements in [SP 800-171] focus primarily on confidentiality protection, the enhanced security requirements in this publication address confidentiality, integrity, and availability protection. The enhanced security requirements are implemented in addition to the basic and derived requirements since those requirements are not designed to address the APT. The enhanced security requirements apply to those components of nonfederal systems that process, store, or transmit CUI or that provide protection for such components. In addition to protecting CUI from unauthorized disclosure, the enhanced security requirements have been designed to protect the integrity and availability of CUI. This is achieved by promoting penetration-resistant architectures, damage-limiting operations, and designs to help achieve cyber resiliency and survivability. | CHAPTERONE INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................... | CHAPTERONE INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for System and Communications Protection?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

| Access Control                    | Maintenance         | Security Assessment and Monitoring   |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Awareness and Training            | Media Protection    | System and Communications Protection |
| Audit and Accountability          | Personnel Security  | System and Information Integrity     |
| Configuration Management          | Physical Protection | Planning                             |
| Identification and Authentication | Risk Assessment     | System and Services Acquisition      |
| Incident Response                 |                     | Supply Chain Risk Management         |

- A business champion: Someone who is responsible for developing and maintaining the incident response plan.
- Who to call: List all the individuals who may be part of the incident response efforts. Include their contact information, roles, and responsibilities.
- What/when/how to report: List the business' communications/reporting responsibilities as required by laws, regulations, contracts, agreements, or policies.
- Also, most federal contracts will include specific reporting and notification requirements that should be included in the Incident Response Plan

Description: Monitor, control, and protect organizational communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational systems) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of the systems; and employ architectural designs, software development techniques, and systems engineering principles that promote effective information security within organizational systems.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Summary of NIST SP 800-53, Revision 4_ Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 13)

[Assistant]
n the risk tolerance of the organizations or communities of interest developing the overlays. General guidance on overlays is provided in section 3.3 and an overlay template is provided in Appendix I.
The template is included as an example only-organizations may choose to use other formats or modify the format in this appendix based on organizational needs and the type of overlay being developed. The level of detail included in the overlay is at the discretion of the organization initiating the overlay but should be of sufficient breadth and depth to provide an appropriate rationale and justification for the resulting tailored baseline developed, including any risk-based decisions made during the overlay development process. The sample overlay template consists of eight sections:

- Identification;
- Overlay Characteristics;
- Applicability;
- Overlay Summary;
- Detailed Overlay Control Specifications;
- Tailoring Considerations;
- Definitions; and
- Additional Information or Instructions. ## 9 Privacy

Federal agencies are required to ensure that privacy protections are incorporated into information security planning. To that end, SP 800-53 Rev. 4 features eight new families of privacy controls that are based on the internationally accepted Fair Information Practice Principles (FIPPs). The proliferation of social media, Smart Grid, mobile, and cloud computing, as well as the transition from structured to unstructured data and metadata environments, have added significant complexities and challenges for federal organizations in safeguarding privacy. These challenges extend well beyond the traditional information technology security view of protecting privacy, which focused primarily on ensuring confidentiality. The families of controls are described in a similar manner to those of Appendix F (Security Controls) and Appendix G (Information Security Programs Organization-Wide Information Security Program Management Controls). SP 800-53 Rev.

Summary of NIST SP 800-53, Revision 4_ Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer provide? (Part 15)

[Assistant]
nks to non-NIST sites throughout this publication because they may have information of interest to readers. NIST does not necessarily endorse the views expressed or the facts presented on those sites.
Further, NIST does not endorse any commercial products that may be advertised or available on these sites. ht ps:/

csrc.nist.gov/projects/protecting-control ed-unclas ified-information

## Family: Access Control

Description: Limiting information system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, or devices (including other information systems) and to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to exercise.*

## Getting Started with Access Control

<!-- image -->

Implement policies and procedures that limit access to CUI on systems and devices to only those individuals that require such access to do their jobs . Complete a review of publicly available information , such as information on the company website. - Review the content for CUI and remove such information if discovered. CUI should not be available to the public. ## Protect CUI with device locks and session termination . - Train staff on these behaviors and establish policies that prevent unauthorized individuals from seeing CUI or other sensitive information on a device while the device is unattended by an individual. When the individual returns to their device, they will have to re-establish access by using a password or biometric authenticator

Foundational Concept -Least Privilege: This involves limiting access rights to only those users who need it to accomplish assigned tasks. - Identify who has access to CUI and the system. Only those who require access to CUI should have it. For example, if a network or system administrator does not need access to CUI, their access should be restricted. - Reassign or remove privileges as necessary, such as when an individual no longer requires access to CUI and the system.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 2)

[Assistant]
systems, but such standards and guidelines shall not apply to national security systems without the express approval of the appropriate federal officials exercising policy authority over such systems.
This guideline is consistent with requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130. Nothing in this publication should be taken to contradict the standards and guidelines made mandatory and binding on federal agencies by the Secretary of Commerce under statutory authority. Nor should these guidelines be interpreted as altering or superseding the existing authorities of the Secretary of Commerce, OMB Director, or any other federal official. This publication may be used by nongovernmental organizations on a voluntary basis and is not subject to copyright in the United States. Attribution would, however, be appreciated by NIST. National Institute of Standards and Technology Special Publication 800-172 Natl. Inst. Stand. Technol. Spec. Publ. 800-172, 84 pages (February 2021)

CODEN: NSPUE2

This publication is available free of charge from:

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-172

Certain  commercial  entities,  equipment,  or  materials  may  be  identified  in  this  document  to describe an experimental procedure or concept adequately. Such identification is not intended to imply recommendation or endorsement by NIST, nor is it intended to imply that the entities, materials, or equipment are necessarily the best available for the purpose. There may be references in this publication to other publications currently under development by  NIST  in  accordance  with  its  assigned  statutory  responsibilities. The  information  in  this publication, including concepts, practices, and methodologies, may be used by federal agencies even  before  the  completion  of  such  companion  publications. Thus,  until  each  publication  is completed,  current  requirements,  guidelines,  and  procedures,  where  they  exist,  remain operative.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer provide? (Part 12)

[Assistant]
d, communicated, understood, and enforced. Even if cybersecurity activities are outsourced to an external provider, someone within the business should still be designated to manage cybersecurity risk.
|
|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| It's not all technology. | An important point to emphasize is that many requirements in SP 800-171 do not need investments in technology or services to implement. Many requirements can be achieved through the creation of processes and procedures. |
| Implement the requirements and document implementation in a system security plan. | Satisfying the security requirements won't be accomplished overnight. Implement in phases based upon your resources (includin g time, expertise, budget, etc.), starting with understanding what security requirements you may have already satisfied and building from there.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for System and Information Integrity?

[Assistant]
According to Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171:

........................................................................ | CHAPTERONE INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................
|
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1.1 PURPOSEANDAPPLICABILITY                                                                                | ................................................................................................... 3                                            |
| 1.2 TARGET AUDIENCE                                                                                | .................................................................................................................. 4                             |
| 1.3 ORGANIZATIONOF THIS SPECIAL PUBLICATION                                                                                | .......................................................................... 4                                                                     |
| CHAPTERTWO THE FUNDAMENTALS............................................................................................ 5                        | CHAPTERTWO THE FUNDAMENTALS............................................................................................ 5                        |
| 2.1 DEVELOPMENTAPPROACH ......................................................................................................


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Summary of NIST SP 800-53, Revision 4_ Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 11)

[Assistant]
the organization level rather than the information system level. The PM controls are typically implemented at the organization level and not directed at individual organizational information systems.
They complement the security controls in Appendix F and focus on the programmatic, organization-wide information security requirements that are independent of any particular information system and are essential for managing information security programs. Tailoring guidance can be applied to the program management controls in a manner similar to how the guidance is applied to security controls in Appendix F. ## 7 International Information Security Standards

Many organizations use well-known international information security standards as the basis or as a supplemental source of security controls for risk management. To aid in selection and comparison, SP 800-53 Rev. 4 provides mapping tables to provide organizations with a general indication of security control coverage with respect to ISO/IEC 27001, Information technologySecurity techniques-Information security management systems-Requirements and ISO/IEC 15408, Information technology -- Security techniques -- Evaluation criteria for IT security . ISO/IEC 27001 applies to all types of organizations and specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving a documented information security management system (ISMS) within the context of business risks. ISO/IEC 15408 (also known as the Common Criteria) provides functionality and assurance requirements for developers of information systems and information system components (i.e., information technology products).


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 12)

[Assistant]
ramework provides a basis for the reciprocal acceptance of
security  and  privacy  control  assessment  evidence  and  authorization  decisions  and  facilitates
information sharing and collaboration.
NIST continues to work with public and private sector
entities  to  establish  mappings  and  relationships  between  the  standards  and  guidelines
developed by NIST and those developed by other organizations. NIST anticipates using these
mappings and the gaps they identify to improve the control catalog. vii

NIST SP 800-53, REV. 5                                                                                SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONTROLS FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND ORGANIZATIONS
_________________________________________________________________________________________________

DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION SYSTEMS, COMPONENTS, AND SERVICES

With a renewed emphasis on the use of trustworthy, secure information systems and supply
chain security, it is essential that organizations express their security and privacy requirements
with clarity and specificity in order to obtain the systems, components, and services necessary
for mission and business success. Accordingly, this publication provides controls in the System
and Services Acquisition (SA) and Supply Chain Risk Management (SR) families that are directed
at developers. The scope of the controls in those families includes information system, system
component,  and  system  service  development  and  the  associated  developers  whether  the
development is conducted internally by organizations or externally through the contracting and
acquisition processes. The affected controls in the control catalog include SA-8, SA-10, SA-11,
SA-15, SA-16, SA-17, SA-20, SA-21, SR-3, SR-4, SR-5, SR-6, SR-7, SR-8, SR-9, and SR-11. T
h
s

i

p
u
b

l
i

c
a

t
i

o
n

i

s

a
v
a

i
l

l

a
b
e
f
r
e
e
o
f

c
h
a
r
g
e
f
r
o
m

:

h
t
t
p
s
:
/
/
d
o
i
. o
r
g
/
1
0
. 6
0
2
8
/
N
S
T
S
P
. 8
0
0
-
5
3
r
5

I

.

Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 2 require for Access Control?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations:

......................98      |
| Table 11. Maintenance (MA) ......................................................................................................................98      |
| Table 12.
Media Protection (MP)................................................................................................................99        |
| Table 13. Physical and Environmental Protection (PE)...............................................................................99                    |
| Table 14. Planning (PL)..............................................................................................................................100 |
| Table 15. Program Management (PM) .....................................................................................................100               |
| Table 16. Personnel Security (PS) .............................................................................................................101       |
| Table 17. PII Processing and Transparency (PT) .......................................................................................102                |
| Table 18. Risk Assessment (RA) ................................................................................................................102       |
| Table 19. System and Services Acquisition (SA)........................................................................................103                |
| Table 20. System and Communications Protection (SC)...........................................................................103                        |
| Table 21. System and Information Integrity (SI) .......................................................................................104               |
| Table 22. Supply Chain Risk Management (SR).........................................................................................105                  |
| Table 23.

Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations_ A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy provide? (Part 19)

[Assistant]
rols that can be inherited by designated organizational systems, accepting the security and privacy risks to the organization's operations and assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation.
Authorizing officials also consider the risk of inheriting common controls as part of their system authorizations. The different types of authorizations are described in Appendix F. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## THE RMF IS TECHNOLOGY NEUTRAL

The RMF is purposefully designed to be technology neutral so that the methodology can be applied to any type of information system* without modification. While the specific controls selected, control implementation details, and control assessment methods and objects may vary with different types of IT resources, there is no need to adjust the RMF process to accommodate specific technologies. All  information  systems  process,  store,  or  transmit  some  type  of  information. For  example, information about the temperature in a remote facility collected and transmitted by a sensor to a monitoring station, location coordinates transmitted by radio to a controller on a weapons system, photographic images transmitted by a remote camera (land/satellite-based) to a server, or health IT devices transmitting patient information via a hospital network, require protection. This information can be protected by: categorizing the information to determine the impact of loss; assessing whether the processing of the information could impact individuals' privacy; and selecting and implementing controls that are applicable to the IT resources in use.

Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations_ A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 7)

[Assistant]
tegrity, and availability protection. The enhanced security requirements are implemented in addition to the basic and derived requirements since those requirements are not designed to address the APT.
The enhanced security requirements apply to those components of nonfederal systems that process, store, or transmit CUI or that provide protection for such components. There is no expectation that all of the enhanced security requirements will be selected by federal agencies implementing this guidance. The decision to select a particular set of enhanced security requirements will be based on the mission and business needs of federal agencies and guided and informed by ongoing risk assessments. The enhanced security requirements for nonfederal systems processing, storing, or transmitting CUI associated with critical programs or high value assets will be conveyed to nonfederal organizations by federal agencies in a contract, grant, or other agreement. The application of the enhanced security requirements to subcontractors will also be addressed by federal agencies in consultation with nonfederal organizations. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## THE APPLICABILITY OF ENHANCED SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The enhanced security requirements are only applicable to a nonfederal system or nonfederal organization as mandated by a federal agency in a contract, grant, or other agreement. The requirements apply to the components of nonfederal systems that process, store, or transmit CUI associated with a critical program or a high value asset or that provide protection for such components. The requirements also apply to services, including externally provided services, that process, store, or transmit CUI, or that provide security protections, for the system requiring enhanced protection.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Risk Management Framework for Information Systems and Organizations_ A System Life Cycle Approach for Security and Privacy provide? (Part 18)

[Assistant]
ctor of National Intelligence, the Department of Defense, and the Committee  on  National  Security  Systems,  and  has  established  a  unified  risk  management framework for the federal government.
This common foundation provides the Civil, Defense, and Intelligence Communities of the federal government and their contractors, cost-effective, flexible,  and  consistent  methods  and  techniques  to  manage  security  and  privacy  risks  to organizational  operations  and  assets,  individuals,  other  organizations,  and  the  Nation. The unified framework also provides a strong basis for reciprocal acceptance of assessment results and  authorization  decisions  and  facilitates  information  sharing and  collaboration. NIST continues to work with public and private sector entities to establish mappings and relationships between its security and privacy standards and guidelines and those developed by  external organizations. \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## ACCEPTANCE OF SECURITY AND PRIVACY RISK

The Risk Management Framework addresses security and privacy risk from two perspectivesan  information  system  perspective  and  a  common  controls  perspective. For  an  information system, authorizing officials issue an authorization to operate or authorization to use for  the system, accepting the security and privacy risks to the organization's operations and assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation. For common controls, authorizing officials issue a common control authorization for a specific set of controls that can be inherited by designated organizational systems, accepting the security and privacy risks to the organization's operations and assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for System and Services Acquisition?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

|                      | When provided as part of a government contract, examples include:                                                                                | Marking 1     |
|----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------|
| Controlled           | e.g., research and engineering data, engineering drawings, specifications, process sheets, manuals, technical reports, technical orders, catalog-item identifications, data sets, studies and analyses and related information, and computer software executable code and source code. | CUI//SP-CTI   |
| General Proprietary  | e.g., financial information, trade secrets, product research and development, existing and future product designs and performance specifications.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer provide? (Part 17)

[Assistant]
vant -based on the systems that personnel have authorized access to, contextualized to the work environments of personnel (e.g., telework, shop floor), and tailored to the specific roles of personnel.
The content should include:

- An understanding of the need for security (why is cybersecurity important to our business mission?). - Specific actions required of users to maintain security (required use of multi-factor authentication, not sharing passwords, etc.). - How to respond to confirmed or suspected incidents. - How to securely handle CUI (training should be provided to staff before authorizing access to the system or CUI). - How to recognize and report insider threats, social engineering, and social mining. Examples of security awareness techniques include displaying posters, offering supplies inscribed with security reminders, generating email advisories or notices from leadership, and conducting awareness events -such as a lunch-and-learn or workshop. There are many resources that are free and open to the public that can be incorporated into awareness and training, such as videos, online courses, and awareness posters. The resources will likely need to be customized to meet your own unique business needs, but they offer a starting point. Resources can be found in the resources box below.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Summary of NIST SP 800-53, Revision 4_ Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 11)

[Assistant]
the organization level rather than the information system level. The PM controls are typically implemented at the organization level and not directed at individual organizational information systems.
They complement the security controls in Appendix F and focus on the programmatic, organization-wide information security requirements that are independent of any particular information system and are essential for managing information security programs. Tailoring guidance can be applied to the program management controls in a manner similar to how the guidance is applied to security controls in Appendix F. ## 7 International Information Security Standards

Many organizations use well-known international information security standards as the basis or as a supplemental source of security controls for risk management. To aid in selection and comparison, SP 800-53 Rev. 4 provides mapping tables to provide organizations with a general indication of security control coverage with respect to ISO/IEC 27001, Information technologySecurity techniques-Information security management systems-Requirements and ISO/IEC 15408, Information technology -- Security techniques -- Evaluation criteria for IT security . ISO/IEC 27001 applies to all types of organizations and specifies requirements for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving a documented information security management system (ISMS) within the context of business risks. ISO/IEC 15408 (also known as the Common Criteria) provides functionality and assurance requirements for developers of information systems and information system components (i.e., information technology products).


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What guidance does NIST provide for CMMC Level 3?

[Assistant]
According to Assessing Enhanced Security Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information:

## Assessing Enhanced Security Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information

RON ROSS VICTORIA PILLITTERI KELLEY DEMPSEY

This publication is available free of charge from: https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-172A

<!-- image -->

## NIST Special Publication 800-172A

## Assessing Enhanced Security Requirements for Controlled Unclassified Information

RON ROSS VICTORIA PILLITTERI KELLEY DEMPSEY

Computer Security Division Information Technology Laboratory

This publication is available free of charge from:

https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.800-172A

March 2022

<!-- image -->

U.S. Department of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, Secretary

James K. Olthoff, Performing the Non-Exclusive Functions and Duties of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology & Director, National Institute of Standards and Technology

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

## Authority

This publication has been developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to further its statutory responsibilities under the Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA), 44 U.S.C. § 3551 et seq. , Public Law (P.L.) 113-283. NIST is responsible for developing information security standards and guidelines, including minimum requirements for federal information systems, but such standards and guidelines shall not apply to national security systems without the express approval of the appropriate federal officials exercising policy authority over such systems. This guideline is consistent with requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-130. Nothing in this publication should be taken to contradict the standards and guidelines made mandatory and binding on federal agencies by the Secretary of Commerce under statutory authority.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 4)

[Assistant]
pment of management, administrative, technical, and physical standards and guidelines for the costeffective security of other than national security-related information in federal information systems.
The Special Publication 800-series reports on ITL's research, guidelines, and outreach efforts in information systems security and privacy and its collaborative activities with industry, government, and academic organizations. ## Abstract

The protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) resident in nonfederal systems and organizations is of paramount importance to federal agencies and can directly impact the ability of the Federal Government to successfully conduct its essential missions and functions. This publication provides federal agencies with recommended enhanced security requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI: (1) when the information is resident in nonfederal systems and organizations; (2) when the nonfederal organization is not collecting or maintaining information on behalf of a federal agency or using or operating a system on behalf of an agency; and (3) where there are no specific safeguarding requirements for protecting the confidentiality of CUI prescribed by the authorizing law, regulation, or government-wide policy for the CUI category listed in the CUI Registry. The enhanced requirements apply to components of nonfederal systems that process, store, or transmit CUI or that provide security protection for such components when the designated CUI is associated with a critical program or high value asset. The enhanced requirements supplement the basic and derived security requirements in NIST Special Publication 800-171 and are intended for use by federal agencies in contractual vehicles or other agreements established between those agencies and nonfederal organizations.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC require for Maintenance?

[Assistant]
According to Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations:

September 2020
INCLUDES UPDATES AS OF 12-10-2020; SEE PAGE XVII

CHAPTER ONE   INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................... 1
1.1   PURPOSE AND APPLICABILITY ................................................................................................... 2
1.2   TARGET AUDIENCE .................................................................................................................. 3
1.3   ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES......................................................................................... 3
1.4   RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER PUBLICATIONS ................................................................................... 5
1.5   REVISIONS AND EXTENSIONS .................................................................................................... 5
1.6   PUBLICATION ORGANIZATION .................................................................................................. 5
CHAPTER TWO   THE FUNDAMENTALS ............................................................................................ 7
2.1   REQUIREMENTS AND CONTROLS .............................................................................................. 7
2.2   CONTROL STRUCTURE AND ORGANIZATION .............................................................................. 8
2.3   CONTROL IMPLEMENTATION APPROACHES ............................................................................. 11
2.4   SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONTROLS ......................................................................................... 13
2.5   TRUSTWORTHINESS AND ASSURANCE ..................................................................................... 14
CHAPTER THREE   THE CONTROLS .................................................................................................


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer provide? (Part 14)

[Assistant]
ed security services provider (MSSP), talk to others in your industry to get their perspective on vendors they have worked with and always thoroughly review any contract or agreement prior to signing.
A helpful resource, assembled by member company participants of the National Defense Information Sharing& Analysis Center (ND-ISAC), is the Defense Industrial Base Managed Service Provider Shopping Guide for Small & Medium-Sized Businesses. You may also explore the CyberAB Marketplace to find a consulting firm to assist in NIST 800-171 implementation.* |
| Review NIST SP 800-171A to help you understandhow the security requirements in SP 800-171 can be self-assessed or are assessed by independent, third-party entities or by the | Review NIST SP 800-171A to help you understandhow the security requirements in SP 800-171 can be self-assessed or are assessed by independent, third-party entities or by the                                                                                |

* We provide links to non-NIST sites throughout this publication because they may have information of interest to readers. NIST does not necessarily endorse the views expressed or the facts presented on those sites.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for Maintenance?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

| Access Control                    | Maintenance         | Security Assessment and Monitoring   |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Awareness and Training            | Media Protection    | System and Communications Protection |
| Audit and Accountability          | Personnel Security  | System and Information Integrity     |
| Configuration Management          | Physical Protection | Planning                             |
| Identification and Authentication | Risk Assessment     | System and Services Acquisition      |
| Incident Response                 |                     | Supply Chain Risk Management         |

## Updates to the Security Requirements and Families

- It is important to identify permitted and prohibited actions regarding software installation when users have the ability to install software on organizational systems. Permitted software installations could include updates and security patches to existing software and downloading new applications from organizationapproved 'app stores.' Companies might prohibit employees from downloading certain programs, services, software versions, etc .


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Cybersecurity Supply Chain Risk Management Practices for Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 6)

[Assistant]
----------------------------------|
| 1.4.1. Enterprise Risk Management and C-SCRM Owners and Operators.............................................5                                         |
| 1.4.2.
Enterprise, Agency, and Mission and Business Process Owners and Operators .........................5                                             |
| 1.4.3. Acquisition and Procurement Owners and Operators.................................................................6                               |
| 1.4.4. Information Security, Privacy, or Cybersecurity Operators .........................................................6                             |
| 1.4.5. System Development, System Engineering, and System Implementation Personnel.................7                                                    |
| 1.5.1. Enterprise's Supply Chain.............................................................................................................9          |
| 1.5.2. Supplier Relationships Within Enterprises .................................................................................10                    |
| 2. Integration of C-SCRM Into Enterprise-Wide Risk Management...................................................... 18                                  |
| 2.3.1. Roles and Responsibilities Across the Three Levels ...................................................................24                         |
| 2.3.2. Level 1 -Enterprise...................................................................................................................27         |
| 2.3.3. Level 2 -Mission and Business Process....................................................................................30                      |
| 2.3.4. Level 3 -Operational................................................................................................................32           |
| 2.3.5.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Control Baselines for Information Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 6)

[Assistant]
Cybersecurity Policy and Partnerships

Director, Security Coordination Center

## National Institute of Standards and Technology

## Committee on National Security Systems

Charles H. Romine

Mark G.
Hakun

Director, Information Technology Laboratory

Chair

Kevin Stine

Susan Dorr Co-Chair

Acting Cybersecurity Advisor, ITL

Matthew Scholl

Kevin Dulany

Chief, Computer Security Division

Tri-Chair-Defense Community

Kevin Stine

Chris Johnson

Chief, Applied Cybersecurity Division

Tri-Chair-Intelligence Community

Ron Ross

Vicki Michetti

FISMA Implementation Project Leader

Tri-Chair-Civil Agencies

## Joint Task Force Working Group

| Victoria Pillitteri   | McKay Tolboe          | Dorian Pappas          | Kelley Dempsey   |
|-----------------------|-----------------------|------------------------|------------------|
| NIST, JTF Leader      | DoD                   | Intelligence Community | NIST             |
| Ehijele Olumese       | Lydia Humphries       | Daniel Faigin          | Naomi Lefkovitz  |
| The MITRE Corporation | Booz Allen Hamilton   | Aerospace Corporation  | NIST             |
| Esten Porter          | Julie Nethery Snyder  | Christina Sames        | Christian Enloe  |
| The MITRE Corporation | The MITRE Corporation | The MITRE Corporation  | NIST             |
| David Black           | Rich Graubart         | Peter Duspiva          | Kaitlin Boeckl   |
| The MITRE Corporation | The MITRE Corporation | Intelligence Community | NIST             |
| Eduardo Takamura      | Ned Goren             | Andrew Regenscheid     | Jon Boyens       |
| NIST                  | NIST                  | NIST                   | NIST             |

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

In addition to the above acknowledgments, a special note of thanks goes to Jeff Brewer, Jim Foti, and the NIST web team for their outstanding administrative support.

Control Baselines for Information Systems and Organizations


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC require for Maintenance?

[Assistant]
According to A Zero Trust Architecture Model for Access Control in Cloud-Native Applications in Multi-Cloud Environments:

| Background - Zero Trust Principles and Zero Trust Architecture................................
| 2                                                                                |
|                                                                                | Relationship to Other NIST Guidance Documents...................................................... | 3                                                                                |
|                                                                                | Scope......................................................................................................................... | 3                                                                                |
|                                                                                | Target Audience                                                                                | .........................................................................................................

A Zero Trust Architecture Model for Access Control in Cloud-Native Applications in Multi-Cloud Environments


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for Incident Response?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

| Access Control                    | Maintenance         | Security Assessment and Monitoring   |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Awareness and Training            | Media Protection    | System and Communications Protection |
| Audit and Accountability          | Personnel Security  | System and Information Integrity     |
| Configuration Management          | Physical Protection | Planning                             |
| Identification and Authentication | Risk Assessment     | System and Services Acquisition      |
| Incident Response                 |                     | Supply Chain Risk Management         |

Below is an example of the Incident Response Testing requirement, which is part of the Incident Response (IR) family. The structure and content of a typical security requirement includes:

## Family: Incident Response


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer provide? (Part 20)

[Assistant]
tems (including hardware, software, firmware, and documentation); and establishing and enforcing security configuration settings for information technology products employed in organizational systems.
## Getting Started with Configuration Management

<!-- image -->

Changes to a system can have potentially significant effects on the security of the system. Configuration management helps establish processes for initializing, changing and monitoring configurations to the hardware, software, or firmware components of the system or the operational procedures related to the system storing CUI. ## Limit who can make changes to the system containing CUI. - Permit only qualified and authorized individuals to access the system for the purpose of initiating changes. Access restrictions include physical and logical access controls, software libraries, workflow automation, media libraries, abstract layers (i.e., changes implemented into external interfaces rather than directly into the system), and change windows (i.e., changes occur only during specified times). ## Authorized software -allow by exception. - It is important to identify permitted and prohibited actions regarding software installation when users have the ability to install software on organizational systems. Permitted software installations could include updates and security patches to existing software and downloading new applications from organizationapproved 'app stores.' Companies might prohibit employees from downloading certain programs, services, software versions, etc . ## Locate CUI. - Identify the location of CUI and the system components on which the information is processed and stored. Identify who within the business has access to CUI. Again, remember to restrict this access to only those who need it. Foundational Concept -Least Functionality: Systems (databases, email systems, network drives, etc.) provide a variety of functions and services.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What is CMMC practice AT.L2-3.2.3 (NIST 3.2.3)?

[Assistant]
According to Assessing Security and Privacy Controls in Information Systems and Organizations:

3.2.3   TAILOR ASSESSMENT PROCEDURES

In a manner similar to how the controls from [SP 800-53] are tailored for the organization’s
mission, business functions, characteristics of the system, and operating environment,
organizations tailor the assessment procedures in Chapter 4 to meet specific organizational
needs. 3.2.3. 3.2.3.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC require for Risk Assessment?

[Assistant]
According to Security and Privacy Controls for Information Systems and Organizations:

This publication provides a catalog of security and privacy controls for information systems and
organizations to protect organizational operations and assets, individuals, other organizations,
and the Nation from a diverse set of threats and risks, including hostile attacks, human errors,
natural disasters, structural failures, foreign intelligence entities, and privacy risks. The controls
are flexible and customizable and implemented as part of an organization-wide process to
manage risk. The controls address diverse requirements derived from mission and business
needs, laws, executive orders, directives, regulations, policies, standards, and guidelines. Finally,
the consolidated control catalog addresses security and privacy from a functionality perspective
(i.e., the strength of functions and mechanisms provided by the controls) and from an assurance
perspective (i.e., the measure of confidence in the security or privacy capability provided by the
controls). Addressing functionality and assurance helps to ensure that information technology
products and the systems that rely on those products are sufficiently trustworthy. Organizations must exercise due diligence in managing information security and privacy risk. This
is accomplished, in part, by establishing a comprehensive risk management program that uses
the flexibility inherent in NIST publications to categorize systems, select and implement security
and  privacy  controls  that  meet  mission  and  business  needs,  assess  the  effectiveness  of  the
controls, authorize the systems for operation, and continuously monitor the systems. Exercising
due diligence and implementing robust and comprehensive information security and privacy risk
management  programs  can  facilitate  compliance  with  applicable  laws,  regulations,  executive
orders,  and  governmentwide  policies.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 16)

[Assistant]
nformation, including inconsistent markings, inadequate safeguarding, and needless restrictions, both by standardizing procedures and by providing common definitions through a CUI Registry [NARA CUI].
The CUI Registry is the online repository of information, guidance, policy, and requirements on handling CUI, including issuances by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) CUI Executive Agent. The CUI Registry identifies approved CUI categories, provides general

1 An information system is a discrete set of information resources organized expressly for the collection, processing, maintenance, use, sharing, dissemination, or disposition of information. Information systems also include specialized systems, such as industrial and process control systems, cyber-physical systems, IoT systems, embedded systems, and devices. The term system is used throughout this publication to represent all types of computing platforms that can process, store, or transmit CUI. 2 A federal information system is a system that is used or operated by an executive agency, a contractor of an executive agency, or another organization on behalf of an executive agency. A system that does not meet such criteria is a nonfederal system . 3 Controlled Unclassified Information is any information that law, regulation, or government-wide policy requires to have safeguarding or disseminating controls, excluding information that is classified under [EO 13526] or any predecessor or successor order, or [ATOM54], as amended. 4  Established by Executive Order 13556, the CUI Program standardizes the way that the Executive branch handles unclassified information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with law, regulations, and government-wide policies. 5  [EO 13556] designated the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) as the Executive Agent to implement the CUI Program.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 2 require for Security Assessment?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations:

Controlled Unclassified Information; Executive Order 13556; FIPS Publication 199; FIPS Publication 200; FISMA; NIST Special Publication 800-53; nonfederal organizations; nonfederal systems; organization-defined parameter; security assessment; security control; security requirement.

- Federal agencies responsible for managing and protecting CUI
- Nonfederal organizations responsible for protecting CUI
- Individuals with system development life cycle responsibilities (e.g., program managers, mission/business owners, information owners/stewards, system designers and developers, system/security engineers, systems integrators)
- Individuals with acquisition or procurement responsibilities (e.g., contracting officers)
- Individuals with system, security, or risk management and oversight responsibilities (e.g., authorizing officials, chief information officers, chief information security officers, system owners, information security managers)
- Individuals with security assessment and monitoring responsibilities (e.g., auditors, system evaluators, assessors, analysts, independent verifiers and validators)

| Access Control                    | Maintenance         | Security Assessment and Monitoring   |
|-----------------------------------|---------------------|--------------------------------------|
| Awareness and Training            | Media Protection    | System and Communications Protection |
| Audit and Accountability          | Personnel Security  | System and Information Integrity     |
| Configuration Management          | Physical Protection | Planning                             |
| Identification and Authentication | Risk Assessment     | System and Services Acquisition      |
| Incident Response                 |                     | Supply Chain Risk Management         |


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Summary of NIST SP 800-53, Revision 4_ Security and Privacy Controls for Federal Information Systems and Organizations provide? (Part 8)

[Assistant]
sions. This documentation is essential when examining the security considerations for organizational information systems with respect to the potential impact on an organization's mission and business.
The resulting tailored baseline set of security controls and the supporting rationale for the selection decisions (including any information system use restrictions required by organizations) are documented in system security plans. Documenting significant risk management decisions in the security control selection process is imperative so that authorizing officials have access to necessary information to make informed authorization decisions for organizational information systems, as demonstrated in Figure 3. Figure 3: Security Control Selection Process

<!-- image -->

## 5 Assurance

Appendix E in SP 800-53 Revision 4 provides an update to guidance regarding security assurance. This section outlines methods for agencies to establish measures of confidence that the implemented security controls provide the security capability required to protect critical missions and business operations. The criteria for whether a security control is assurance- or functionality-related is based on the overall characteristics of the control. In general, assurance-related controls are controls that: (i) define processes, procedures, techniques, or methodologies for designing and developing information systems and system components; (ii) provide supporting operational processes including improving the quality of systems, components, or processes; (iii) produce security evidence from developmental or operational activities; (iv) determine security control effectiveness or risk; or (v) improve personnel skills, expertise, and understanding. Appendix E provides three tables that identify specific assurance-related controls that are included in the low-, moderate-, and high-impact baselines described in Appendix D.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for Maintenance?

[Assistant]
According to Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171:

............................................ 5                        |
| 2.1 DEVELOPMENTAPPROACH ......................................................................................................
| 5                                                                                |
| 2.2 ORGANIZATIONANDSTRUCTURE                                                                                | ............................................................................................. 7                                                  |
| 2.3 FLEXIBLE APPLICATION                                                                                | ............................................................................................................. 9                                  |
| CHAPTER THREE THE REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................... 11                       | CHAPTER THREE THE REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................... 11                       |
| 3.1 ACCESSCONTROL                                                                                | .................................................................................................................. 12                            |
| 3.2 AWARENESSANDTRAINING                                                                                | ...................................................................................................


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What does CMMC Level 3 require for Supply Chain Risk Management?

[Assistant]
According to Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171:

The system component inventory includes system-specific information required for component accountability and to provide support to identify, control, monitor, and verify configuration items in accordance with the authoritative source. The information necessary for effective accountability of system components includes the system name, hardware and software component owners, hardware inventory specifications, software license information, software version numbers, andfor networked components-the machine names and network addresses. Inventory specifications include the manufacturer, supplier information, component type, date of receipt, cost, model, serial number, and physical location. Organizations also use automated mechanisms to implement and maintain authoritative (i.e., up-to-date, complete, accurate, and available) baseline configurations  for  systems  that  include  hardware  and  software  inventory  tools,  configuration management tools, and network management tools. Tools can be used to track version numbers on operating systems, applications, types of software installed, and current patch levels.

- 3.11.6e  Assess, respond to, and monitor supply chain risks associated with organizational systems and system components.

Supply chain events include disruption, use of defective components, insertion of counterfeits, theft,  malicious development practices, improper delivery practices, and insertion of malicious code. These events can have a significant impact on a system and its information and, therefore, can also adversely impact organizational operations (i.e., mission, functions, image, or reputation), organizational assets, individuals, other organizations, and the Nation. The supply chain-related events may be unintentional or malicious and can occur at any point during the system life cycle. An analysis of supply chain risk can help an organization identify systems or components for which additional supply chain risk mitigations are required.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What additional guidance does Enhanced Security Requirements for Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information_ A Supplement to NIST Special Publication 800-171 provide? (Part 17)

[Assistant]
nd consistent with law, regulations, and government-wide policies. 5  [EO 13556] designated the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) as the Executive Agent to implement the CUI Program.
CHAPTER ONE                                                                                PAGE   1

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

descriptions for each, identifies the basis for controls, and sets out procedures for the use of CUI, including but not limited to marking, safeguarding, transporting, disseminating, reusing, and disposing of the information. [EO 13556] also required that the CUI Program emphasize openness, transparency, and uniformity of government-wide practices, and that the implementation of the program take place in a manner consistent with applicable policies established by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and federal standards and guidelines issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The federal CUI regulation , 6 developed by the CUI Executive Agent, provides guidance to federal agencies on the designation, safeguarding, dissemination, marking, decontrolling, and disposition of CUI; establishes self-inspection and oversight requirements; and delineates other facets of the program. In certain situations, CUI may be associated with a critical program 7 or a high value asset. 8 These critical programs and high value assets are potential targets for the advanced persistent threat (APT). An APT is an adversary or adversarial group that possesses the expertise and resources that allow it to create opportunities to achieve its objectives by using multiple attack vectors, including cyber, physical, and deception.


[System] You are a CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) expert with deep knowledge of NIST SP 800-171, SP 800-172, and defense contractor cybersecurity requirements. You provide accurate guidance on CMMC compliance, CUI protection, and DoD security controls.

[User] What guidance does NIST provide for CMMC Level 3?

[Assistant]
According to Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)_ NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3. Small Business Primer:

<!-- image -->

<!-- image -->

Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce

<!-- image -->

Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): NIST Special Publication 800-171, Revision 3 Small Business Primer

## Purpose of this Primer

This guide provides small businesses with an overview of NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-171 Revision 3, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations . The following pages contain:

- An overview of foundational components of SP 800-171
- A list of frequently asked questions and their answers
- Tips for getting started
- Related resources

## What is Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)?*

CUI is information the government creates or possesses, or that an entity creates or possesses on behalf of the government, that law, regulation, or governmentwide policy requires you to take technical and operational steps to protect. Systems that process, store, and transmit CUI often support government programs involving sensitive critical assets. As part of a contractual agreement with the federal government, or possibly with other organizations like municipal governments, prime contractors, universities, etc., you will likely be required to demonstrate you are taking adequate measures to protect CUI.