What is the NCSP 800-171 Awareness Certificate?

The NCSP 800-171 Awareness Certificate introduces foundational concepts from NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3, focusing on the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in nonfederal systems. It is part of the governed NCSP credential ecosystem aligned to NIST CSF 2.0 and the NIST SP 800-series.

How does this course align with NIST SP 800-171?

The course focuses on the core principles of NIST SP 800-171 Rev. 3, including safeguarding requirements, assessment objectives, security families, and how CUI protection integrates with NIST CSF 2.0, SP 800-53, and SP 800-37.

Who governs and maintains the NCSP 800-171 Awareness Certificate?

The NIST Cybersecurity Professional (NCSP) framework is a structured, NIST-aligned cybersecurity and digital trust workforce competency framework developed by CySec Professionals Ltd and governed by The Digital Trust Institute (DTI).

Is NCSP 800-171 Awareness considered official NIST training?

NCSP training is not generic NIST training. It is a governed credential ecosystem aligned to NIST CSF 2.0 and the NIST SP 800-series, with formal governance and stewardship by The Digital Trust Institute.

Who is authorised to deliver NCSP 800-171 Awareness training?

Only organisations formally authorised by The Digital Trust Institute may deliver NCSP training or assessments. Unauthorised use of NCSP identifiers is prohibited.

NIST Cybersecurity Professional®
(NCSP®) 800-171 Awareness Certificate

Build Awareness of NIST SP 800‑171: Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

NIST Cybersecurity Professional®

(NCSP®) 800-171 Awareness Certificate

Course Description

NIST Special Publication 800‑171, Protecting Controlled Unclassified Information in non-Federal Systems and Organizations, defines the security requirements that non-Federal organisations must implement to safeguard CUI. These requirements apply across defence, government contracting, critical infrastructure, and supply‑chain environments.

The NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800‑171 Awareness Certificate is a half‑day, instructor‑led course providing a concise introduction to the purpose, structure, and strategic value of NIST SP 800‑171. Designed for executives, managers, and stakeholders, this course explains what CUI is, why it matters, and how organisations can meet the security requirements, without requiring technical or assessor‑level expertise.

Participants gain a high‑level understanding of the 800‑171 requirement families, assessment considerations, and how 800‑171 aligns with NIST SP 800‑53, 800‑37 RMF, and broader cybersecurity governance.

What You Will Learn

Participants gain essential awareness‑level knowledge of NIST SP 800‑171. You will learn:

The purpose, scope, and evolution of NIST SP 800‑171.
What Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is and why it must be protected.
The structure of the 800‑171 security requirements and requirement families.
How 800‑171 supports compliance, supply‑chain assurance, and risk management.
Organisational roles and responsibilities in protecting CUI.
How 800‑171 aligns with 800‑53, RMF (800‑37), and CSF 2.0.

Course Agenda

Module 1: Introduction to NIST SP 800‑171 & Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)

Module 2: Structure of the 800‑171 Security Requirements

Module 3: Roles, Responsibilities & Organisational Governance for CUI Protection

Module 4: Applying NIST 800‑171 in Practice - Assessments, Alignment & Use Cases

Learning Outcomes

Participants will be able to:

Describe the purpose and structure of NIST SP 800‑171.
Explain what CUI is and why it must be protected.
Understand the 14 requirement families at an awareness level.
Recognise key roles and responsibilities in CUI protection.
Identify how 800‑171 aligns with RMF, 800‑53, CSF 2.0, and CMMC.
Communicate the strategic value of CUI protection to stakeholders and teams.

Who Should Attend?

This course is designed for professionals who need a foundational understanding of CUI protection and 800‑171 requirements, including:

Executives & Senior Leaders
Government Contractors & Subcontractors
Business & System Owners
Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Stakeholders
Programme & Project Managers
Security & Privacy Managers
Anyone seeking an introduction to NIST 800‑171

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this Awareness‑level course. No technical background is required.

Participants are provided with:

NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-171 Awareness Certificate courseware including links to further reading and resources.
NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-171 Awareness Certificate, Certificate of Completion.
NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-171 Awareness Certificate digital badge.

Enrol Today

This NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800‑171 Awareness course provides students with a high‑level understanding of CUI protection requirements and the structure of the NIST 800‑171 security controls.