What Is NIST? Cybersecurity Frameworks Explained | DNSFilter

What is NIST?

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a U.S. federal agency that develops and maintains trusted frameworks, guidelines, and controls for security, privacy, and risk management. In the cybersecurity space, NIST serves as a foundational authority, offering resources organizations use to improve their security posture, align with compliance standards, and protect sensitive information.

NIST Overview

NIST provides cybersecurity standards and guidance that are widely used across both public and private sectors. Its frameworks help organizations reduce risk, build internal alignment, and demonstrate accountability in protecting data.

While NIST compliance is mandatory for federal agencies and contractors, many private organizations voluntarily adopt NIST frameworks to support regulatory requirements such as HIPAA, CMMC, and FedRAMP, or to align with broader frameworks like SOC 2. For businesses handling sensitive or regulated information, implementing NIST frameworks is often essential for audit readiness and risk management.

Why Organizations Adopt NIST

Many organizations implement NIST frameworks not because they’re required to, but because they offer a clear, structured approach to security. Whether the goal is to work with the U.S. federal government or to meet industry expectations, NIST serves as a strategic foundation for sustainable security practices.

• Required for federal contractors, defense suppliers, and agencies
  
  
• Used voluntarily by security-conscious businesses and IT teams
  
  
• Commonly referenced in regulatory frameworks and audits
  
  
• Enables alignment across security, IT, and compliance functions

Security Outcomes with NIST

NIST frameworks help organizations transition from reactive security to proactive governance. By defining clear standards for controls, roles, and risk tolerance, they support long-term resilience, consistency, and credibility.

• Improves security posture by guiding structured, risk-based control implementation
  
  
• Enables regulatory compliance with standards like FISMA, FedRAMP, HIPAA, and CMMC
  
  
• Strengthens vendor and client trust through alignment with federal-grade standards
  
  
• Drives operational alignment across departments by creating a shared security language

NIST Publications Relevant to DNS Filtering

• NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): A voluntary framework for identifying, protecting, detecting, responding to, and recovering from cybersecurity threats—adopted across sectors.
  
  
• NIST SP 800-53: A special publication that includes guidelines, technical specifications, recommendations and reference materials, comprising multiple sub-series:SP 800 Computer security.
  
  
• NIST SP 800-171: A special publication that includes guidelines, technical specifications, recommendations and reference materials, comprising multiple sub-series:SP 801focused on protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems.

NIST vs. CIS Controls

NIST isn’t the only framework used to guide security practices. See how it compares to the CIS Controls (practical framework for building a layered security strategy) to understand its role in shaping risk management and compliance strategies:

Both NIST and CIS recognize the importance of DNS security as part of a broader defense strategy. NIST frameworks include explicit controls for secure DNS resolution, logging, and threat detection, while CIS Controls address DNS filtering at a high level. In both cases, DNS filtering helps reduce attack surfaces and supports alignment with established best practices and compliance requirements.

NIST in Action

NIST frameworks are designed to be flexible, allowing organizations across industries to tailor security strategies to their specific needs. These real-world examples show how businesses apply NIST guidance to meet compliance goals, manage risk, and strengthen cybersecurity defenses:

Real World Examples

• Healthcare Compliance: A healthcare organization uses the NIST Cybersecurity Framework to align security controls with HIPAA requirements, helping it reduce risk while preparing for regulatory audits.
  
  
• Defense Contracting: A government contractor implements NIST SP 800-171 controls—along with DNS filtering—to meet CMMC Level 3 standards and protect sensitive technical data across its operations.
  
  
• Learn how DNS filtering fits into real-world NIST compliance strategies in our article on NIST Compliance and DNS.

Looking to Strengthen Your Security Foundations?

DNSFilter adds a critical layer to your organization's security strategy by protecting against threats at the DNS level. As a SOC 2 compliant platform, we help reinforce NIST-aligned frameworks and support efforts to safeguard sensitive information—without adding complexity to your infrastructure.

Learn how DNSFilter supports a stronger, more resilient security posture →