The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) mandates that all contractors and subcontractors handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) must maintain an accessible assessment of their compliance with NIST SP 800-171. This requirement supports a broader national effort to standardize cybersecurity practices, even for organizations managing unclassified or sensitive data. Ensuring compliance is crucial not only for maintaining eligibility for government contracts but also for strengthening the overall cybersecurity posture.
To support this, the NIST Gap Assessment Tool offers a structured, Excel-based template that guides organizations through the full assessment process. It includes all 14 control families and 110 security controls specified in NIST SP 800-171, allowing for streamlined tracking, documentation, and reporting. The tool is designed for usability, enabling teams to identify gaps and prioritize remediation efforts efficiently.
- walks you step-by-step through each NIST SP 800-171 requirement, so you know exactly what to do next.
- No cybersecurity expertise neededâcomplete your gap assessment in hours, not days, using clear prompts and built-in summaries
- Whether you’re a small defense contractor or a subcontractor just starting with compliance, the tool helps you quickly identify gaps and generate reports that align with DoD audit expectations
- Includes drop-down menus, pre-filled descriptions, and auto-calculated scoring to simplify documentation
- By using the tool, you donât just meet complianceâyou also reduce the risk of losing contracts due to audit findings
- The NIST Gap Assessment Tool will cost-effectively assess your organization against the NIST SP 800-171 standard
What does the tool do?
- Features the following tabs: âInstructionsâ, âSummaryâ, and âAssessment and SSPâ.
- The âInstructionsâ tab provides an easy explanation of how to use the tool and assess your compliance project, so you can complete the process without hassle.
- The âAssessment and SSPâ tab shows all control numbers and requires you to complete your assessment of each control.
- Once you have completed the full assessment, the âSummaryâ tab provides high-level graphs for each category and overall completion. Analysis includes an overall compliance score and shows the amount of security controls that are completed, ongoing, or not applied in your organization.
- The âSummaryâ tab also provides clear direction for areas of development and how you should plan and prioritize your project effectively, so you can start the journey of providing a completed NIST SP 800-171 assessment to the DoD.
This NIST Gap Assessment Tool is not designed for conducting a detailed and granular compliance assessment.
InfoSec services | InfoSec books | Follow our blog | DISC llc is listed on The vCISO Directory | ISO 27k Chat bot | Comprehensive vCISO Services | ISMS Services | Security Risk Assessment Services | Mergers and Acquisition Security
