
Assurance
Compliance
On-Time Delivery
NIST SP 800-53 Audits
When doing business with government agencies, you will be required to demonstrate your compliance with certain standards, such as NIST SP 800-53. Agencies will rely on the NIST security and privacy controls (SP 800-53) to determine which controls they expect to be implemented in any of their business partner’s environments.
To gain approval, organizations must first determine the security category of their information system in accordance with FIPS 199, Standards for Security Categorization of Federal Information and Information Systems, derive the information system impact level from the security category in accordance with FIPS 200, and then apply the appropriately tailored set of baseline security controls in NIST Special Publication 800-53. This allows organizations to tailor the relevant security control baseline so that it more closely aligns with their mission and business requirements and environments of operation. Certification, and therefore the ability to do business together, is achieved when an Authorization to Operate (ATO) is signed by a federal agency’s senior management official.
Don’t waste time on an audit that leaves you uncertified.
What if you spend all this time preparing but don’t get your certification?
What if you have to re-do something because your audit wasn’t thorough enough?
What if your audit partner isn’t experienced enough to guide you through the complexities of government relationships?
Make sure you win the contracts you need.
Quality Testing
Assurance doesn’t come from a checklist. It requires a diligent examination of your unique environment from trusted cybersecurity experts to know your controls are effective. Be sure your audit gives you the results you deserve.
Interactive Platform
Compliance can’t be put on autopilot. With the Online Audit Manager, onsite visits, and direct communication with a dedicated team of security professionals, your KirkpatrickPrice audit experience will make sure your audit is worth it.
Experienced Auditors
Confidence comes from experience. Our auditors have been in the industry, in your exact positions, and are passionate about making sure your audit is successful and maybe even fun. And they have a lot of certifications.
Hit Your Deadlines
On-time delivery is a given. Everyone has different deadlines, but our process will make sure you meet yours. When you partner with KirkpatrickPrice, you’ll never have to sacrifice quality because of a deadline.
Testimonials

This kind of consulting is the value-add that we continue to find so rewarding and supportive, in everyone that we encounter at KirkpatrickPrice!
– President, Net Friends

“KirkpatrickPrice has made the audit process more efficient with the tools and partnership mentality that they bring to the table.”
– Director of Security, Compliance, and Technology, Connectria Hosting

Expertise is one of the best things we’ve gotten out of working with KirkpatrickPrice. Their auditors have been helpful in navigating through the audit and beyond. They’ve made themselves available as resources to assess the impact of changes to our controls and infrastructure.
– Security and Compliance Manager, CBOSS

Your tools are fantastic. Extremely easy to use. It provides visibility to what is complete and what is not.
– Security Compliance Architect, Cisco

Every time I leave an engagement with the KirkpatrickPrice team, I leave enlightened and it helps our organization mature towards the point we know we should be.
– CISO and VP of Cloud Operations, Health Catalyst

“I appreciate that they both have the heart of a teacher and aren’t in it for the “gotcha” moments.”
– Lead Developer, AdvicePay
Get started today.
At KirkpatrickPrice, you’ll have a partner guide you from audit readiness to final report so you get the assurance you deserve.

Get Ready for your Audit
Whether you’ve never been through an audit or completed hundreds, our experts will prepare and empower you to successfully start and complete your audit. With access to our free compliance platform, you can watch videos, run security scans, see what you’re missing, prepare documentation, and get access to experts and resources. When you’re ready, you use the same platform to complete your audit. You don’t need additional tools or vendors to complete the audit.

Partner with an Expert
Our security experts have been in your shoes and know how overwhelming audits can be. Your dedicated specialist will walk you through the entire process from audit readiness to final report.

Get Certified
The certification process can feel overwhelming, but we make sure it’s worth it. By the end of the process, you will be proud of the work you did and know that it will make a difference in getting your certification.

Starting an audit is overwhelming.
Our Audit Readiness Guide will tell you what you need to know.
You know you need an audit, but don’t know what to expect or how to get started. This guide will prepare you for what will be tested and how to confidently begin your compliance journey.
Get the Guide
NIST 800-53 FAQs
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What is a NIST 800-53 audit?
A variety of compliance programs use NIST 800-53 as the baseline standard for security and privacy controls. An audit against this standard considers your risk management practices, including asset characterization and impact levels using FIPS 199 and FIPS 200; your risk assessment using NIST 800-53; and the controls you selected using NIST 800-53. The resulting audit report details your risk management program and the testing results for the operating effectiveness of controls.
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What audit does a government agency require?
Most government agencies have designed a compliance program to suit their needs (i.e., DFARS, MARS-E, CMMC). These programs utilize NIST Special Publication 800-53 as the baseline for security and privacy controls. Each agency publishes their own requirements for audit timeline and approach.
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How much does a NIST 800-53 audit cost?
Pricing for a NIST 800-53 audit depends on scoping factors, including people, processes, technology, physical locations, third parties, and audit frequency. Pricing will also vary based on whether or not you’ve already completed a risk assessment and documented your System Security Plan (SSP).
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How long does a NIST 800-53 audit take to complete?
The average NIST 800-53 audit can take anywhere from weeks to months, depending on your level of preparedness and staff’s availability for interviews and control demonstration. During the engagement, the auditor must validate scope, perform testing procedures, and document conclusions. These steps require time from your organization’s management, which can be compressed or extended to meet your timeline needs. You can save time by leveraging the Online Audit Manager to maintain the audit evidence you need for compliance.
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What do I receive when my NIST 800-53 audit is complete?
The audit culminates in a report, written by our in-house Professional Writing team. The report will provide stakeholders with independent third-party verification regarding your organization’s risk management practices and the testing results of your security and privacy controls.
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How long is a NIST 800-53 report valid?
Most agencies will require annual evidence that your controls are in place and operating effectively. A report that is over 12 months old might result in a request for more recent results. Maintaining an audit process that covers each fiscal year will demonstrate a commitment to compliance and ongoing testing of controls, which ultimately contributes to the health of your organization.
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Who is involved in a NIST 800-53 audit?
Team members involved in a FISMA audit could come from anywhere in your organization, ranging from human resources to IT to compliance officers – anyone with the appropriate responsibilities for and knowledge of the matters concerned in the audit.
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How does NIST 800-53 categorize impact?
FIPS Publication 199 defines three levels of potential impact on organizations or individuals should there be a breach of security (i.e., a loss of confidentiality, integrity, or availability). The levels are Low, Moderate, and HIGH. This informs the selection of appropriate controls using NIST 800-53.

Make Sure You’re Ready
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Wherever you are in your security journey, we’ll meet you there.
We’ve completed audits and security assessments for over 2,000 clients worldwide.
With locations in Atlanta, Bethesda, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City, San Francisco, Seattle, and Tampa; KirkpatrickPrice experts are ready to help you achieve your goals.
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