NIST SP 800-171 For MSPs And
MSSPs — And Their Clients
Deliver scalable, NIST SP 800-171–aligned cybersecurity services with Cynomi’s AI-powered vCISO platform. Help clients meet federal data protection standards, simplify documentation, and prepare for compliance programs like CMMC with less manual effort.
What is NIST SP 800-171 and Why
Does It Matter for MSPs and MSSPs?
NIST Special Publication 800-171 outlines security requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems and organizations. It is a mandatory standard for contractors and subcontractors working with the U.S. Department of Defense, NASA, and other federal agencies.
For MSPs and MSSPs, NIST 800-171 creates a consistent need for risk assessments, policy creation, remediation tracking, and pre-audit readiness—especially as it serves as the foundation for frameworks like CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification). Providers that support NIST 800-171 can deliver structured, high-trust services to clients in regulated supply chains.
What Organizations Does
NIST SP 800-171 Apply To?
NIST SP 800-171 applies to all U.S. federal contractors and subcontractors that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This includes:
Defense Industrial Base (DIB) Contractors
Aerospace and Manufacturing Suppliers
Technology and Engineering Firms with DoD Contracts
Research and Higher Education Institutions
Cloud Service Providers Supporting Federal Programs
MSPs and MSSPs supporting CMMC or DFARS compliance
NIST SP 800-171 Core Components
The framework defines 14 control families, broken into 110 security requirements, each designed to safeguard CUI. Core areas include:
Access Control
Limit system access to authorized users and devices.
Audit and Accountability
Create, protect, and review audit logs to detect and investigate activity.
Configuration Management
Apply secure baselines and control system settings to prevent unauthorized changes.
Incident Response
Establish a formal incident handling capability, including detection, containment, and reporting.
System and Communications Protection
Secure data in transit and at rest using encryption and segmentation controls.
Media Protection and Physical Security
Protect CUI stored on digital and physical media through defined safeguards.
Why MSPs and MSSPs
Should Align With NIST SP 800-171
NIST 800-171 offers a repeatable, control-based framework to deliver pre-audit assessments, documentation support, and remediation planning to clients navigating federal compliance.
Serve defense and federal contractors with standardized assessments and reporting
Support readiness for upcoming CMMC Level 2 certification requirements
Deliver policy creation, gap analysis, and control tracking across client systems
Reduce time to compliance and improve retention with structured service delivery
How MSPs and MSSPs Can Comply with
NIST SP 800-171 and Help Clients Do the Same
Cynomi guides you step by step through managing cybersecurity and compliance.
Assess & Identify
Launch NIST 800-171–Aligned Control Assessments
- Conduct automated gap assessments across the 14 control families
- Auto-generate a System Security Plan (SSP) baseline and risk register
- Score client compliance using the DoD’s SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) model
Establish and Plan
Build Documentation and Action Plans for Compliance
- Auto-generate SSPs, POAMs (Plans of Action and Milestones), and control ownership assignments
- Align documentation to DFARS and CMMC guidance
- Track remediation tasks across IT, compliance, and leadership teams
Assess & Identify
Maintain Continuous Compliance and Audit Readiness
- Monitor control implementation and prepare for CMMC audits
- Maintain audit-ready evidence libraries, including screenshots, policies, and logs
- Adapt to evolving DoD and NIST guidance with centralized oversight
Framework FAQs
It is a federal standard defining how organizations must protect Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems, required under DFARS for defense contractors.
Yes. Compliance is required for any contractor handling CUI under DFARS 252.204-7012. It is also a foundation for CMMC Level 2 certification.
CMMC Level 2 is based directly on the 110 controls in NIST 800-171. Demonstrated 800-171 compliance is a requirement for passing CMMC audits.
Yes. If an MSP handles or accesses CUI on behalf of a client, it is considered a business associate and must meet the same NIST 800-171 requirements.
Cynomi automates assessments, generates SSPs and POAMs, maps controls, tracks remediation, and maintains audit-ready documentation—helping MSPs manage NIST 800-171 programs at scale.