If your organization uses the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) to guide its security program, you are already committed to a gold standard of risk management.
But are you aware of the specific, mandatory requirements for password security detailed in NIST's digital identity guidelines?
The NIST framework is not just a high-level guide; it's supported by specific publications that outline how to implement its controls. For credential security, the most important one is NIST Special Publication 800-63B. This document moves credential monitoring from a "nice-to-have" security feature to a foundational, mandated control.
NIST SP 800-63B, "Digital Identity Guidelines," is the U.S. government's official standard for authentication. Its rules are clear and direct.
"When processing requests to establish and change memorized secrets, verifiers SHALL compare the prospective secrets against a list that contains values known to be commonly-used, expected, or compromised."
"...For example, the list MAY include, but is not limited to: Passwords obtained from previous breach corpuses."
— NIST SP 800-63B, Section 5.1.1.2
In NIST terminology, "SHALL" indicates a mandatory requirement, not a recommendation. This is a required control, not an optional best practice.
Your organization is not compliant with the NIST standard if you are not actively checking new passwords against a database of known-leaked credentials.
Recent guidance emphasizes it's no longer enough to just check when passwords are created. You must detect when existing passwords show up in new breaches.
Our service is the tool that allows organizations to implement these NIST-mandated controls. It is not just a single-point solution; it is a critical technology that supports the entire lifecycle of the Cybersecurity Framework.
The new "Govern" function is about integrating cybersecurity with your core business risk strategy.
Stolen credentials are not just an "IT problem." They are a primary business risk that can lead to ransomware, financial fraud, and catastrophic data breaches. By monitoring for them, you are providing your leadership (the "Govern" function) with clear data on your organization's real-time risk exposure.
The "Protect" function is focused on "safeguards to prevent or reduce cybersecurity risk." This is our primary function.
Proactive Blocking (API)
Our API allows you to instantly check new passwords against our database of billions, directly satisfying the NIST SP 800-63B mandate.
Passwordless Security
We help you identify which accounts are most at-risk, allowing you to prioritize them for stronger protections like MFA or passwordless solutions.
The "Detect" function is about finding "possible cybersecurity attacks and compromises." A leaked credential is the very first indicator of a potential compromise.
Real-Time Alerts
Our service acts as your "smoke detector" across multiple intelligence sources—underground forums, threat actor networks, the deep and dark web, and HUMINT operatives. The instant one of your employee's or executive's credentials appears in a new breach, we detect it and alert you. This is the earliest possible warning that an account is at high risk of takeover.
The "Respond" function is about "actions regarding a detected cybersecurity incident." Knowing a credential is leaked is useless if you don't act.
Actionable Intelligence
We don't just give you a list of 10,000 leaked passwords. We tell you which employee is compromised, what the password is, and where it was found. This allows you to "Respond" instantly by forcing a password reset for that specific, high-risk account.
Following the NIST framework means building a mature, resilient security program. You can no longer do that while ignoring the industry's #1 attack vector.
Using a "complexity" policy (like P@ssword1!) is an outdated control that NIST no longer recommends. Complexity rules create passwords that are hard for humans to remember but easy for computers to crack.
True, modern security—and true NIST compliance—requires actively blocking and monitoring for credentials that are already in the hands of attackers. This is the only way to prevent credential-based breaches.
Our service is the most effective, scalable, and immediate way to meet the mandates of NIST SP 800-63B and enhance every function of your Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 program.
Comprehensive breach database continuously updated
Instant password validation at creation/change
Continuous detection of new credential leaks
Meet the requirements of NIST SP 800-63B and strengthen every function of your Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 program with comprehensive credential monitoring.
NIST Special Publication 800-63B is part of a suite of documents that provide technical requirements for federal agencies implementing digital identity services. While initially created for federal use, these guidelines have become the de facto standard for commercial organizations seeking to implement strong authentication controls.
Why it matters: Organizations that follow the NIST Cybersecurity Framework are expected to implement the specific technical controls outlined in publications like SP 800-63B. This includes the mandatory requirement to check passwords against lists of compromised credentials.
Recent updates: The latest guidance emphasizes continuous monitoring and proactive detection of credential compromise, not just one-time validation. Organizations must have systems in place to detect when existing passwords appear in new breaches.