Reviewed by Jeff Harms
Director, Advisory Services at OCD tech
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Updated September, 3
Discover the total number of controls in NIST 800-53 and explore key insights to strengthen your cybersecurity and compliance strategies.
Director, Advisory Services at OCD tech
Updated September, 3
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NIST SP 800-53 is a comprehensive catalog of security and privacy controls used primarily to support NIST compliance across U.S. federal information systems and organizations. In its most recent version, Revision 5, the publication is organized into 20 control families covering a wide range of risk areas.
While the publication classifies controls into families, it is important to note that the overall number of controls is not a static figure. When considering both the base controls and their associated enhancements, NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 includes more than 900 controls. These controls are designed to be flexible and scalable so that organizations can tailor them based on their specific risk environment and operational needs.
The importance of this detailed control catalog relates directly to NIST risk assessment and overall information security practices. Through a risk-based framework, organizations are guided to select controls that mitigate identified risks effectively. This approach aids in prioritizing security efforts and ensures that resources are allocated toward adequately protecting critical information assets.
For U.S. federal agencies and organizations aiming for robust NIST compliance, the expansive control catalog offers a structured yet adaptable resource. Decision-makers and compliance officers can rely on this framework to guide security improvements, while technical teams leverage its detailed controls to implement specific solutions.
In summary, the current version of NIST SP 800-53 contains over 900 controls when you consider the base controls along with their enhancements, providing a broad foundation for managing risk and achieving cybersecurity resilience.
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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.
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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.
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