NIST Cybersecurity Professional®
NCSP® 800-63 Awareness Certificate
 
Build Awareness of NIST SP 800‑63 Digital Identity Guidelines

NIST Cybersecurity Professional®

NCSP® 800-63 Awareness Certificate

​

Course Description

​

NIST Special Publication 800‑63, Digital Identity Guidelines, provides a comprehensive framework for establishing and managing digital identities, authentication mechanisms, and identity assurance in modern digital services. It defines the processes and requirements for identity proofing, authentication, federation, and lifecycle management to support secure and trustworthy digital interactions.

​

The NCSP® 800‑63 Awareness Certificate is a half‑day, instructor‑led course offering a concise introduction to the purpose, structure, and strategic value of the NIST Digital Identity Guidelines. Designed for executives, managers, system owners, and stakeholders, this course explains how digital identity underpins cybersecurity, privacy, and digital trust, without requiring technical or identity‑engineering expertise.

​

Participants gain a high‑level understanding of Identity Assurance Levels (IAL), Authentication Assurance Levels (AAL), Federation Assurance Levels (FAL), and how 800‑63 integrates with CSF 2.0, RMF (800‑37), 800‑53, and broader cybersecurity and digital trust frameworks.

 

What You Will Learn

 

Participants gain essential awareness‑level knowledge of NIST SP 800‑63. You will learn:

• The purpose, scope, and evolution of the NIST Digital Identity Guidelines.

• The components of digital identity: identity proofing, authentication, and federation.

• The meaning and application of IAL, AAL, and FAL.

• How digital identity supports cybersecurity, privacy, and digital trust.

• Organisational roles and responsibilities in digital identity management.

• How 800‑63 aligns with CSF 2.0, RMF, 800‑53, and identity governance frameworks.

​​

Course Agenda

 

Module 1: Introduction to NIST SP 800‑63 & Digital Identity Fundamentals

• A high‑level overview of NIST SP 800‑63, its purpose, and its role in establishing secure and trustworthy digital identities. Introduces core concepts including identity proofing, authentication, and federation.

Module 2: Identity, Authentication & Federation Assurance Levels (IAL, AAL, FAL)

• An awareness‑level introduction to the assurance levels defined in 800‑63:

  • IAL — Identity Assurance Level

  • AAL — Authentication Assurance Level

  • FAL — Federation Assurance Level

• Explains how these levels guide risk‑based identity and authentication decisions.

Module 3: Roles, Responsibilities & Governance for Digital Identity

• A concise overview of key roles involved in digital identity management, including system owners, identity providers, credential service providers, security teams, and governance bodies. Covers organisational responsibilities, policy integration, and lifecycle oversight.

Module 4: Applying NIST 800‑63 in Practice - Alignment, Use Cases & Digital Trust

• An introduction to how organisations can apply 800‑63 in real‑world environments. Covers alignment with CSF 2.0, RMF (800‑37), 800‑53 controls, privacy engineering, and digital trust initiatives.

​

Learning Outcomes

​

Participants will be able to:

• Describe the purpose and structure of NIST SP 800‑63.

• Explain identity proofing, authentication, and federation at an awareness level.

• Understand IAL, AAL, and FAL and their role in digital identity assurance.

• Recognise key roles and responsibilities in digital identity governance.

• Identify how 800‑63 aligns with CSF 2.0, RMF, 800‑53, and digital trust frameworks.

• Communicate the strategic value of digital identity to stakeholders and teams.

​

Who Should Attend?

​

This course is designed for professionals who need a foundational understanding of digital identity and authentication, including:

• Executives & Senior Leaders

• Business & System Owners

• Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) Stakeholders

• Identity & Access Management (IAM) Teams

• Programme & Project Managers

• Security & Privacy Managers

• Anyone seeking an introduction to digital identity principles

​

Prerequisites

 

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

 

Participants are provided with:

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-63 Awareness Certificate courseware including links to further reading and resources.

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-63 Awareness Certificate, Certificate of Completion.

• NIST Cybersecurity Professional® (NCSP®) 800-63 Awareness Certificate digital badge.

​

​