If your organization deals with Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), you’re probably aware of NIST 800-171. It is a cybersecurity standard to prevent government-sensitive information from being accessed by the wrong individuals. Organizations dealing with the U.S. government, especially DIB (Defense Industrial Base), must implement them to keep their contracts intact and secure.
But here’s the thing—being compliant isn’t a do-it-and-forget-it activity. Regulations change, threats to the cybersecurity landscape change, and technologies improve. Something that kept you compliant last year could no longer be cut today.
This is why periodic NIST 800-171 audits are necessary. It will allow you to find the security loopholes, patch the vulnerabilities, and know you’re always ready for government audits. Not staying current with updates can cost you penalties, contracts, and information breaches.
So, by staying proactive and auditing frequently, you are protecting your company, preserving confidential information, and gaining the trust of government agencies and partners. This article explores why ongoing audits matter and how they can save you from bigger problems.
1. Identifying Gaps Before They Become Problems
Think of the audit as a regular checkup of your cybersecurity. Just like you visit the doctor to discover potential issues with your health before they become serious ailments, the audit will discover weaknesses with your NIST 800-171 compliance before they become serious.
Your company may feel they are following all the requirements, but unknown vulnerabilities could put you at risk without a thorough examination. Perhaps certain security policies have not been updated within a couple of years, or employees are unaware of the current compliance requirements.
Remember, these blind spots can cost a lot if you do not address them promptly. For example, NIST 800-171 requires encrypting sensitive information. Suppose you are audited to discover that certain files are not properly encrypted. In that case, you can fix the problem before a third-party audit—and worse yet, a cyberattack—discovers the problem.
Doing so beforehand saves you the cost of penalties, loss of contracts, and security breaches while leaving you with a secured, compliant, and ready-for-the-future company.
2. Avoiding Costly Penalties and Contract Loss
Government contracts are costly, but they also have requirements to meet. If you do not meet the requirements of NIST 800-171, you could miss out on contracts or face significant penalties.
Remember, compliance is a big deal to government agencies such as the Department of Defense (DoD), and you will lose out on potential contracts if you are not compliant. In other words, being out of compliance is not a threat to security—it is a threat to the bottom line.
Imagine working hard to gain a multi-month contract that is then forfeited due to a minor issue of being out of compliance that could have quickly been addressed with a proper audit. With this, regular audits are necessary—they continually put you ahead of the game to work with government audits and have the company operating smoothly without disruption.
3. Strengthening Cybersecurity and Reducing risk
Cyberattacks are a growing threat, particularly to companies with government-sensitive information to deal with. Cyber attackers are constantly scanning the vulnerabilities, and companies that do not have strong protection systems are a ready target.
Also, it can lead to information breaches, financial loss, legal problems, and loss of trust with government agencies and customers. Auditing the NIST 800-171 compliance is not merely a question of complying with the requirements—it is a question of defending the company against the cyberattack threat.
Regular audits allow you to find weaknesses in security before you are attacked. Are employees following proper security protocols? Are access controls adequately configured to keep the wrong people away from Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)? Is the sensitive information properly encrypted and stored correctly? All of these are major questions that an audit can answer.
Furthermore, the greater the strength of your cybersecurity measures, the less you will likely encounter data breaches, ransomware threats, or operational outages. Active auditing helps keep your company secure, robust, and ready to face emerging threats at all times, providing you with a sense of relief while protecting the company’s future.
4. Keeping Up with Changing Regulations
NIST 800-171 isn’t a one-time requirement—it evolves. New versions and updates are made to accommodate emerging threats to security. If you’re not auditing your company’s compliance regularly, you might lag on updates without knowing it.
For example, NIST 800-171 Revision 3 introduces new security controls. If your company still follows outdated policies, you might be out of compliance without knowing it. Regular audits ensure your security policies and procedures align with the latest regulations, keeping you compliant and prepared.
5. Building Trust with Clients and Partners
When prioritizing compliance, you signal to partners, government agencies, and customers that you are serious about security. It establishes trust and reinforces the company’s image within the industry. Government agencies and companies like to do business with companies that have established best-practice security measures.
An audit tells you that you’re serious about keeping confidential information confidential. It reassures clients that their information is well with you and puts you at a marketing advantage when you bid on a new contract. Compliance is not about avoiding trouble—it’s about making your company a stable and secure partner.
Final Thought
Auditing your NIST 800-171 is not simply a matter of following government mandates—it is a means of protecting your company, securing your information, and facilitating sustained success. It assists you in identifying areas that need to change by avoiding penalties, increasing cybersecurity, remaining compliant with current requirements, and maintaining trust through regular audits.
If you have not audited your compliance late, now is the time to do so. An ounce of effort today will prevent a pound of problems later on. Stay ahead of the game, remain compliant, and have a healthy business.
Qamer Javed 
Prime Star 
Aamir Ghumro