List of popular NIST questionnaire template downloads
- NIST CSF 2.0 questionnaire template - available to download as part of a NIST CSF risk assessment toolkit.
- NIST 800-53 (rev 5) questionnaire template - available to download as part of a NIST 800-53 risk assessment toolkit.
- NIST 171 (rev 3) questionnaire template download
The differences between these popular NIST questionnaire templates are explained below.
NIST CSF questionnaire template
The NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) is the most popular standard for managing internal and external cybersecurity risks. It is organized around six core functions, which collectively streamline the implementation of comprehensive cyber risk management. The NIST CSF framework is adaptable to any industry hoping to improve its standards of vendor cyber risk management.
A NIST CSF questionnaire template could also be used to identify and manage third-party security risks affecting HIPAA compliance.
This NIST CSF 2.0 questionniare template is available to download as part of a NIST CSF risk assessment toolkit.
Download your NIST CSF questionnaire template >
NIST 800-53 questionnaire template
NIST Special Publication 800-53 outlines a comprehensive set of security and privacy controls for federal agencies and organizations working with federal systems. This NIST questionnaire template can also be used by any industry. However, given that the standard was originally designed to safeguard sensitive government data, its information security expectations are highly stringent, making alignment more resource-intensive than the more generic framework, NIST CSF. As such, this NIST questionnaire is ideal for organizations outsourcing the processing of highly sensitive information to third-party vendors.
NIST 800-53 questionnaire templates are aligned with FedRAMP, making them an essential tool for cloud service providers working with federal entities
Download your NIST 800-53 questionnaire template >
NIST 800-171 questionnaire template
The NIST 800-171 questionnaire template targets non-federal organizations that handle Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). This style of NIST questionnaire is ideal for organizations in the defense industry, specifically those working with federal contractors or agencies. A NIST 800-171 vendor questionnaire template is used to bolster the information security standards of third-party vendors, emphasizing controls across encryption, user access, and user authentication.
Alignment with a NIST 800-171 questionnaire template is usually a contractual requirement for organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
Download your NIST 800-171 questionnaire template >
Which NIST questionnaire template should I use for my vendor risk assessment?
Your choice of vendor NIST questionnaire template type depends on your regulatory obligations and Vendor Risk Management objectives. If you're not sure which one to choose, the following overview could help:
- NIST CSF: Ideal for organizations seeking to improve their general cybersecurity with a cyber risk management framework globally recognized for its superior data breach protection. Businesses in the healthcare sector could also use this questionnaire to minimize the impact of third-party security risks on their HIPAA compliance efforts.
- NIST 800-53: Ideal for organizations that must comply with strict federal regulations, especially those with direct access to federal systems. This NIST questionnaire is also a helpful tool for agencies, contractors, and cloud service providers that must align with FedRamp. Businesses seeking superior protection for their sensitive data being outsourced to third-party vendors could benefit from this NIST questionnaire choice.
- NIST 800-171: Primarily for non-federal organizations dealing with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), this template ensures that sensitive data is protected while meeting federal contractor requirements. It's especially critical for defense contractors adhering to the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 7012 clause. This NIST questionnaire template could also be adopted by organizations seeking to implement the highest standard of information protection for all internal data being handled by third-party services.
NIST questionnaire example
Here is a snapshot of a NIST questionnaire template mapping to the NIST CSF 2.0 standard. Like all the NIST questionnaires listed on this page, this questionnaire template is divided into two sections—one to be completed by the vendor receiving the questionnaire and the other to be completed internally based on the vendor's responses.
The internal portion of the NIST questionnaire template is used for evaluating and managing NIST alignment gaps identified from each response.
FAQs about NIST questionnaire templates
1. What is the difference between a NIST 800-53 and a NIST 800-171 questionnaire template?
A NIST 800-53 questionnaire template is primarily used by federal agencies for bolsering the security standards of their vendor network. A NIST 800-171 questionnaire template is specifically aimed at non-federated entities processing CUI. With its greater focus on protecting data being entrusted to third-party vendors, a NIST 800-171 questionnaire template is an ideal choice if your primary objective of leveraging a NIST standard is to reduce your third-party security risk exposure.
2. What is the difference between NIST CSF and NIST 800-53 questionnaire templates?
A NIST CSF questionnaire template maps to a high-level framework focusing on the complete scope of cyber risk management. A NIST 800-53 questionnaire template, on the other hand, outlines a detailed set of security controls that need to be applied to federal information systems. NIST 800-53 more technical and focused in its application, whereas NIST CSF is flexible and less prescriptive, making it adaptable to any cybersecurity objectives across any industry.
3. What is the difference between NIST CSF and NIST 800-171 questionnaire templates?
A NIST CSF questionnaire template maps to a a broader framework that can be appled to any vendor risk management context. A NIST 800-171 questionnaire template is specific to non-federal organizations handling CUI, outlining stricter controls for handling sensitive information required by government contracts.
4. What is the difference between ISO 27001 and NIST CSF questionnaire templates?
An ISO 27001 questionnaire template is used to asses third-party information security management systems (ISMS). A NIST CSF questionnaire template maps to a more generic cyber risk management framework. Both standards, when mapped from a vendor questionnaire, share the same ultimate objective-- to improve third-party security postures. Organizations just commencing their third-party cybersecurity journey should choose a NIST CSF questionnaire template for evaluating vendor security postures. Businesses with an existing Vendor Risk Management program would benefit more from an ISO 27001 questionnaire template since this standard is more suitable for improving the maturity of implemented cybersecurity processes.
5. What is a NIST questionnaire template?
A NIST questionnaire template is a tool used by organizations to assess the security practices of their third-party vendors based on specific NIST standards. These questionnaires typically cover areas like access control, incident response, and risk management to ensure vendor security practices align with the minimal standards outlined by NIST.
6. Is a NIST 800-53 questionnaire template mandatory?
Alignment with NIST 800-53 is mandatory for all U.S. federal government agencies. A NIST 800-53 questionnaire template could support this requirement by ensuring third-party security risks don't rise beyond violation levels.
7. Is a NIST 800-171 questionnaire template mandatory?
Yes, alignment with NIST 800-171 is mandatory for non-federal organizations handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). A NIST 800-171 questionnaire template could support this requirement by ensuring third-party security risks don't rise beyond violation levels.
