What is NIST 800-63?

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by josheph bell

March 26, 2025

NIST 800-63 is an industrial security standard designed to enhance and systematically manage information security within organizations.

This standard is a guideline issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) that establishes standards for digital identity verification and authentication. Its full title is "NIST Special Publication 800-63: Digital Identity Guidelines." This guideline provides comprehensive instructions and best practices to ensure user identity during online transactions and interactions.

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Applications

The NIST 800-63 guidelines are particularly relevant for organizations and government agencies that need to manage secure digital identities. This includes:

  • Government Agencies: Ensuring that citizens and officials can securely access online services. 
  • Financial Institutions: Protecting online banking and financial transactions. 
  • Healthcare: Secure access to health information and electronic medical records. 
  • Businesses: Protecting corporate data and ensuring that only authorized users have access to internal systems. 

Benefits

Implementing NIST 800-63 offers numerous benefits, including:

  • Increased Security: Clear guidelines for identity verification and authentication reduce the risk of identity theft and unauthorized access. 
  • Trust and Reliability: Users can be confident that their identity is protected and that they can securely access services. 
  • Clarity and Standardization: The guidelines provide a unified approach, which is especially important for large organizations and government agencies. 
  • Flexibility: The guidelines are adaptable and can be applied according to the risk level and application context. 

Historical Development

The NIST 800-63 guidelines were first published in 2003. Since then, they have undergone several revisions and updates to keep up with evolving threats and technologies. The key versions are:

  • NIST 800-63-1: The first version that set out basic guidelines for digital identity verification. 
  • NIST 800-63-2: Expanded the original guidelines and added more detailed security measures. 
  • NIST 800-63-3: The latest version, published in 2017, offers comprehensive and updated instructions for identity verification, authentication, and the management of digital identities. 

Comparison with Other Similar Standards

In addition to NIST 800-63, there are other standards and guidelines that address digital identity verification and authentication:

  • ISO/IEC 27001: An international standard for information security management systems, which also covers aspects of identity security but is broader and includes many other security areas. 
  • FIDO (Fast IDentity Online): An open industry standard focused on securing online identities through user-friendly authentication methods such as biometrics and security tokens. 
  • OAuth 2.0: An authentication protocol that allows applications to securely access resources on behalf of a user, often used in conjunction with OpenID Connect to provide a comprehensive identity solution. 

What to take away from NIST 800-63?  

NIST 800-63 provides a comprehensive guideline for digital identity verification and authentication. Through its clear and detailed instructions, it helps organizations ensure secure digital identities and build trust in online interactions. Historically, the standard has evolved to address current threats and technological advancements, offering specific benefits and adaptability tailored to the unique requirements and risks faced by organizations, compared to other standards.

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