NIST 800-171 Compliance for DoD Contractors
NIST SP 800-171 protects Controlled Unclassified Information in non-federal systems - a mandatory baseline for DoD contractors and the foundation of CMMC Level 2.
Why NIST 800-171 Is Critical for Government Contractors
NIST Special Publication 800-171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in Nonfederal Systems and Organizations, defines 110 security requirements across 14 requirement families that protect CUI - a broad category of sensitive government information including technical data, export-controlled material, law enforcement data, and privacy-sensitive records.
For DoD contractors, 800-171 compliance is not optional. DFARS clause 252.204-7012 mandates 800-171 compliance for any contractor handling CUI, with self-attestation and incident reporting requirements. More critically, 800-171 is the foundation for CMMC Level 2 - meaning contractors seeking DoD contracts with CUI must now demonstrate compliance through a third-party CMMC assessment rather than self-attestation.
The average defense contractor scores below 70 on their initial NIST 800-171 SPRS assessment - well below the required baseline. Dark Rock's team has guided dozens of contractors from initial scoring to CMMC Level 2 certification, with deep expertise in the DoD-specific requirements that separate government contractors from commercial security programs.
Our Approach
CUI Scoping & SPRS Assessment
We identify where CUI flows in your environment, define the assessment scope, and conduct a scored assessment producing your initial SPRS (Supplier Performance Risk System) score. SPRS scores range from -203 to +110 - we document your baseline and prioritize the gaps that matter most.
SSP & POA&M Development
We develop your System Security Plan documenting how each of the 110 requirements is implemented, and a Plan of Action & Milestones for all open gaps. These documents are required under DFARS and will be reviewed during CMMC assessments - they must be accurate, detailed, and defensible.
Gap Remediation
Our team closes 800-171 gaps across technical controls, policies, and procedures - from multi-factor authentication and encryption to access control policies and incident response plans. We prioritize by SPRS point value and CMMC assessment risk to maximize your score efficiently.
CMMC Readiness
For contractors seeking CMMC Level 2 certification, we conduct a CMMC-ready assessment using the DoD Assessment Methodology, prepare evidence packages for each practice, and provide pre-assessment readiness reviews. We coordinate the C3PAO engagement when you're ready for your formal assessment.
What You Get
- CUI inventory and data flow diagram
- NIST 800-171 gap assessment with SPRS score calculation
- System Security Plan (SSP) covering all 110 requirements
- Plan of Action & Milestones (POA&M) with prioritized remediation roadmap
- Technical control implementation across 14 requirement families
- Policy and procedure library for all procedural requirements
- CMMC Level 2 pre-assessment readiness review
- SPRS submission documentation and DFARS compliance artifacts
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Security requirements across 14 families - assessed, remediated, and documented for your SPRS submission and CMMC readiness.
