CybersecurityNIST updates to help defend sensitive information from cyberattack

An update to one of the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) information security documents offers strategies to help protect sensitive information that is stored in computers supporting critical government programs and high value assets. 

The document, entitled Draft NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-171 Revision 2: Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations, now has a new draft companion publication, NIST SP 800-171B, that offers additional recommendations for handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in situations where that information runs a higher than usual risk of exposure. CUI includes a wide variety of information types, from individuals’ names or Social Security numbers to critical defense information. 

When CUI is part of a critical program or a high value asset — such as a weapons system — it can become a significant target for high-end, sophisticated adversaries. In recent years, these programs and assets have been subjected to an ongoing barrage of serious cyberattacks, prompting the Department of Defense to request additional guidance from NIST. 

 “We need to provide safeguards and countermeasures that can stand up to these attacks,” said NIST’s Ron Ross, one of the publication’s authors. “We are requesting comments on this initial public draft, which we hope will help organizations protect CUI against our most advanced and persistent adversaries.” 

NIST is accepting comments on both SP 800-171 Rev. 2, which received minor editorial updates, and SP 800-171B until 9 July 2019. In the future, NIST plans to issue  final versions of both publications. In addition, a previously available companion document, NIST SP 800-171A, will be updated with new assessment procedures for the enhanced security requirements.