NIST Frameworks · CSF · 800-53 · 800-171
NIST Compliance Services
U.S. Federal Standards for Global Security Readiness
NIST cybersecurity frameworks are the foundation of U.S. federal information security requirements — and are increasingly adopted globally as a gold standard for mature cybersecurity programmes. SIRI Law LLP advises Indian technology companies supplying to U.S. federal, defence, and regulated sector customers on NIST CSF, NIST SP 800-53, and NIST SP 800-171 compliance, including CMMC certification readiness.
What It Is & Why It Matters
NIST Compliance Services: The Essentials
NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) publishes cybersecurity frameworks widely adopted across U.S. federal government and globally: NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0 — a voluntary framework for improving cybersecurity risk management across any organisation; NIST SP 800-53 — security and privacy controls for federal information systems; NIST SP 800-171 — protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems, the basis for CMMC.
For Indian technology companies supplying to U.S. Department of Defense contractors, NIST SP 800-171 compliance — and increasingly CMMC Level 2 certification — is a contractual requirement, not optional. Failure to comply can result in contract termination and exclusion from future procurement. SIRI Law LLP provides practical NIST 800-171 and CMMC implementation advisory for Indian technology suppliers.
The NIST AI RMF (AI Risk Management Framework) is becoming the standard reference for responsible AI governance globally. We integrate NIST AI RMF alignment into our AI adoption security and GRC services — building AI governance programmes that satisfy both technical and regulatory stakeholders.
NIST CSF 2.0 provides a common language for cybersecurity risk management — applicable to any organisation regardless of sector or size. Its six functions (Govern, Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) map directly to a mature security programme.
For Indian technology companies with U.S. government or defence customers, NIST 800-171 compliance is non-negotiable. The 110 security requirements in NIST 800-171 cover access control, incident response, media protection, personnel security, risk assessment, security assessment, and more. CMMC Level 2 requires an independent assessment against these requirements.
NIST AI RMF is rapidly gaining adoption as the framework for responsible AI governance — used by enterprises, regulators, and procurement teams globally to assess whether AI systems are managed responsibly. We align our AI adoption security engagements with NIST AI RMF.
Scope of Services
What Our Engagement Covers
- NIST CSF 2.0 gap assessment and current profile development
- NIST CSF target profile development and roadmap
- NIST SP 800-53 control selection and tailoring
- System Security Plan (SSP) development
- NIST SP 800-171 gap assessment — all 110 requirements
- Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) development
- CMMC Level 1 and Level 2 readiness assessment
- CMMC Level 2 certification preparation and C3PAO liaison
- CUI identification, scoping, and data flow mapping
- Supply chain risk management programme (NIST 800-161)
- FedRAMP advisory for cloud service providers
- NIST AI RMF gap assessment and alignment
- AI risk register and AI governance documentation
- NIST Privacy Framework alignment
- Continuous monitoring programme design
- NIST-aligned incident response programme development
Our Engagement Process
How We Work — Step by Step
Initial Scoping & Assessment
We conduct a gap assessment against the applicable framework, define the engagement scope, and produce a prioritised remediation roadmap with timeline and effort estimates.
Programme Design
We design the compliance programme — control framework, documentation structure, evidence requirements, and governance processes — tailored to your organisation.
Implementation Advisory
We advise on implementing each required control — working alongside your technical and operational teams to build controls that are practical and auditable.
Internal Audit & Validation
We conduct an internal audit or readiness assessment — identifying any remaining gaps before the formal certification or attestation process begins.
Certification / Attestation Support
We support the formal audit or assessment — managing auditor queries, providing evidence, and resolving findings on the day.
Post-Certification Advisory
After certification, we provide ongoing support — surveillance audit preparation, change management, and regulatory update advisory.
Typical engagement timeline varies by organisation size and existing control maturity.
Certified Engineers
Our Team Holds
CCSPCISMCIPPECEHOSCPCISSPCPENTISO 27001 LAIntegration Advantage
Our compliance engagements are backed by qualified legal counsel — ensuring your programme satisfies both technical certification requirements and legal obligations under DPDPA, IT Act, and sector-specific regulation.
Benefits & Deliverables
What You Get from This Engagement
NIST CSF Assessment
Current state profile development — assessing your organisation against all six CSF functions and identifying the gap to your target profile.
Target Profile & Roadmap
Target profile definition aligned with your risk appetite and business context, with a prioritised implementation roadmap.
800-171 Gap Assessment
Comprehensive gap assessment against all 110 NIST 800-171 requirements — essential first step for any organisation handling CUI or pursuing CMMC.
SSP Development
System Security Plan documenting your CUI environment, system boundary, applicable controls, and implementation status — required for CMMC and DoD contracts.
CMMC Readiness
Full CMMC Level 2 readiness programme — preparing you for assessment by a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organisation (C3PAO).
NIST AI RMF Alignment
AI governance programme aligned with NIST AI RMF — covering Govern, Map, Measure, and Manage functions for responsible AI deployment.
NIST CSF Current State Profile
Detailed assessment of current cybersecurity posture against NIST CSF 2.0 — with gap analysis and prioritised improvement roadmap.
NIST 800-171 Gap Report
Control-by-control gap assessment with implementation status, POA&M items, and remediation guidance.
System Security Plan (SSP)
Complete SSP document ready for submission to DoD prime contractors or C3PAO assessment.
CMMC Readiness Declaration
Formal assessment of CMMC Level 2 readiness with outstanding POA&M items and risk acceptance documentation.
NIST AI RMF Alignment Report
AI governance gap assessment with NIST AI RMF alignment roadmap and AI risk register.
Frequently Asked Questions
We are an Indian company supplying to a U.S. defence contractor. What NIST requirements apply to us?
If you handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) as part of your work for U.S. defence contractors, NIST SP 800-171 compliance is typically required under DFARS clause 252.204-7012. CMMC Level 2 certification (based on NIST 800-171) is progressively being required for new DoD contracts. We advise on scoping, implementation, and — for CMMC — coordinating with a CMMC Third-Party Assessment Organisation.
What is CMMC and how does it relate to NIST 800-171?
CMMC (Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification) is the DoD’s certification programme to verify that defence contractors comply with NIST SP 800-171. CMMC Level 2 requires an independent assessment of all 110 NIST 800-171 practices by an accredited C3PAO. SIRI Law LLP helps you achieve the 110 practices required before the C3PAO assessment.
Can NIST CSF be used as a standalone framework without pursuing formal certification?
Yes — NIST CSF is a voluntary framework with no formal certification. Many organisations adopt it as their primary cybersecurity risk management framework without pursuing NIST 800-53 or CMMC. CSF is valuable for establishing a common language for cybersecurity governance, prioritising investments, and communicating security posture to boards and senior leadership.
How does NIST AI RMF relate to other AI governance requirements?
NIST AI RMF is complementary to, not a replacement for, legal AI governance obligations under DPDPA, GDPR, and emerging AI regulation. It provides a technical framework for managing AI risks (bias, reliability, security, privacy) — while legal frameworks impose specific compliance obligations. We align NIST AI RMF implementation with your applicable legal obligations for a single, integrated AI governance programme.
Ready to Start Your NIST Journey?
All engagements begin with a complimentary scoping call. Let us understand your environment and propose the right approach.
Also see: Cybersecurity GRC · ISO 27001