Reviewed by Jeff Harms
Director, Advisory Services at OCD tech
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Updated September, 3
Discover how your small business can achieve NIST certification. Learn the steps, requirements, and benefits for boosting your security compliance.
Director, Advisory Services at OCD tech
Updated September, 3
Get NIST Compliance Support with OCD Tech
Ensure your business meets NIST cybersecurity standards. OCD Tech’s experts help you navigate requirements, simplify compliance, and protect your organization.
NIST certification is a term often misunderstood. In reality, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) does not offer a formal certification program for organizations, including small businesses. Instead, NIST develops cybersecurity frameworks and guidelines that promote robust risk management practices and inform NIST compliance efforts. Small businesses are encouraged to adopt these standards to improve their cybersecurity posture and assist with their own NIST risk assessment.
For small businesses, aligning with NIST guidelines can deliver significant benefits:
It is important to note that NIST guidelines are voluntary recommendations. Small businesses should view these standards as a framework for creating a resilient cybersecurity strategy rather than pursuing an unattainable "NIST certification." By integrating NIST principles into everyday practices, small enterprises can lay a solid foundation for cybersecurity risk management and be better prepared to respond to emerging threats.
Find clear answers to common NIST compliance questions. Explore FAQs on standards, frameworks, requirements, and best practices for businesses.
Explore expert insights on outsourcing NIST compliance—discover the benefits, risks, and best practices for robust cybersecurity.
Learn MoreExplore how the military leverages NIST standards to secure operations and boost cybersecurity efforts.
Learn MoreExplore the enforcement of NIST compliance. Learn which agencies oversee standards adherence and safeguard cybersecurity.
Learn MoreFind out which documents are essential for NIST compliance—our guide simplifies the audit process and boosts your security readiness.
Learn MoreDiscover how banks adhere to NIST guidelines for robust cybersecurity, data protection, and regulatory compliance in the financial realm.
Learn MoreExplore NIST Zero Trust—a cybersecurity framework that verifies every access request. Learn its principles and key benefits today.
Learn More
OCD Tech offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity and IT assurance services, including SOC 2/3 and SOC for Cybersecurity reporting, IT vulnerability and penetration testing, privileged access management, social engineering assessments, virtual CISO (vCISO) support, IT general controls audits, WISP development, and compliance assistance for frameworks like CMMC, DFARS, and FTC Safeguards.
OCD Tech specializes in serving highly regulated sectors such as financial services, government, higher education, auto dealerships, enterprise organizations, and not-for-profits throughout New England.
Typically, OCD Tech’s on-site work spans 1–2 days, depending on complexity and number of sites, followed by 1–2 weeks of analysis and reporting to deliver clear, actionable recommendations.
SOC 2 reporting demonstrates to clients and prospects that an organization follows best-in-class controls over security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy—boosting trust, meeting RFP/due diligence requirements, and helping secure contracts. OCD Tech helps organizations achieve and maintain this compliance.
Yes—OCD Tech provides guidance for compliance with DFARS (NIST 800‑171), CMMC (Levels 1–3), and FTC Safeguards, ensuring organizations meet specific government or industry-based cybersecurity mandates.
A virtual CISO delivers strategic, executive-level cybersecurity leadership as a service. OCD Tech’s vCISO service is ideal for organizations lacking a full-time CISO and helps build programs, define policy, oversee risk, and guide security maturity.
Absolutely. OCD Tech provides tailored internal IT Audit training and security awareness sessions, plus annual reviews of Written Information Security Programs (WISP), such as Massachusetts 201 CMR 17 and other state or industry-specific controls.
Audit. Security. Assurance.
IT Audit | Cybersecurity | IT Assurance | IT Security Consultants – OCD Tech is a technology consulting firm serving the IT security and consulting needs of businesses in Boston (MA), Braintree (MA) and across New England. We primarily serve Fortune 500 companies including auto dealers, financial institutions, higher education, government contractors, and not-for-profit organizations with SOC 2 reporting, CMMC readiness, IT Security Audits, Penetration Testing and Vulnerability Assessments. We also provide dark web monitoring, DFARS compliance, and IT general controls review.
Contact Info
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OCD Tech
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25 BHOP, Suite 407, Braintree MA, 02184
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844-623-8324
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https://ocd-tech.com
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Services
SOC Reporting Services
– SOC 2 ® Readiness Assessment
– SOC 2 ®
– SOC 3 ®
– SOC for Cybersecurity ®
IT Advisory Services
– IT Vulnerability Assessment
– Penetration Testing
– Privileged Access Management
– Social Engineering
– WISP
– General IT Controls Review
IT Government Compliance Services
– CMMC
– DFARS Compliance
– FTC Safeguards vCISO