HIPAA Security Rule vs NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW

What is the difference between HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW?

HIPAA Security Rule is a healthcare framework applying in the United States, with 67 controls across 5 domains. NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW is an information security framework applying in the United States, with 149 controls across 18 domains. They govern different subjects, so the overlap is limited to the governance requirements they share. The mapping below shows where that is.

HIPAA Security Rule67 controls

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW149 controls

Measured coverage between these frameworks

We map controls between these two frameworks in a knowledge graph and have a person review every mapping before it is published. Below is what that review found. The figures are read live from the graph, not written by hand.

HIPAA Security Rule into NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

3.7%

38 of 1014 NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls carry evidence from HIPAA Security Rule, leaving 976 to satisfy separately.

187 candidate mappings were examined and 129 were rejected on review, signed off 2026-08-19.

Read the full crosswalk, including every rejected mapping →

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 into HIPAA Security Rule

77.6%

52 of 67 HIPAA Security Rule controls carry evidence from NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, leaving 15 to satisfy separately.

207 candidate mappings were examined and 123 were rejected on review, signed off 2026-08-19.

Read the full crosswalk, including every rejected mapping →

Coverage is directional. Mapping A into B is a different measurement from B into A, because the two standards do not carry the same depth on the same subjects.

Questions people ask about HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW

What is the difference between HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW?

HIPAA Security Rule has 67 controls while NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW has 149 controls. Both frameworks address compliance requirements but differ in scope, focus, and applicability. Use our platform to explore the exact control-to-control mappings.

Do I need both HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW?

Whether you need both depends on your industry, regulatory requirements, and customer expectations. Many organizations implement multiple frameworks simultaneously. Our compliance platform helps you map controls between HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW so you can identify shared requirements and avoid duplicate effort.

How do HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW controls map to each other?

Our platform maps controls between HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW at a granular level. Each mapping shows whether controls are fully aligned, partially aligned, or represent gaps. This helps you prioritize implementation when pursuing both frameworks.

Which framework should I implement first, HIPAA Security Rule or NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW?

The best starting point depends on your specific regulatory requirements, industry, and customer demands. Consider which framework is most urgently required by your stakeholders or regulators. Use our free compliance platform to run a gap analysis and determine the optimal implementation sequence.

Each framework on its own

HIPAA Security Rule

67 controls · Healthcare

View full framework →

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW

149 controls · Information Security

View full framework →

Comparisons people read next

Each of these compares one of the two standards above against another it shares controls with.

HIPAA Security Rule vs FedRAMP High57 shared controls HIPAA Security Rule vs FedRAMP Moderate57 shared controls HIPAA Security Rule vs NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 MODERATE55 shared controls NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW vs C5 (Germany)84 shared controls NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW vs ISO 27002:202279 shared controls NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW vs ISO 27001:202279 shared controls

See all control mappings with interactive gap analysis

Explore the complete mapping between HIPAA Security Rule and NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW on our compliance platform.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.