NIST 800-171 and CUI: Securing Controlled Unclassified Information

Organizations handling federal data must meet strict security guidelines to protect sensitive information from modern cyber threats. This text-based course guides you through the core requirements of NIST SP 800-171, helping you understand how to implement and maintain security controls for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). \n\nWhat you'll learn:\n- Understand the foundational definitions of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and its regulatory origins.\n- Analyze the 14 families of security requirements outlined in the NIST SP 800-171 standard.\n- Implement practical administrative and technical controls to safeguard sensitive data within non-federal systems.\n- Prepare for compliance assessments and understand alignment with modern frameworks like CMMC.\n- Apply basic zero-trust security principles to strengthen access control and data protection.\n\nStarting with fundamental definitions and regulatory backgrounds, the course progresses through each security requirement family with clear, written explanations and practical compliance scenarios. Designed for cybersecurity beginners, IT administrators, and compliance officers, this course requires no prior experience with federal standards. Start reading today to build a strong foundation in federal information security compliance.