NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW vs GDPR

What is the difference between NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW and GDPR?

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW is a information security framework applying in the United States, with 173 controls across 20 domains. GDPR is a privacy framework applying in the European Union, with 27 controls across 13 domains. They govern different subjects, so the overlap is limited to the governance requirements they share. The mapping below shows where that is.

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW173 controls

GDPR27 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.

GDPR into NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

4.3%

13 of 300 NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 controls carry evidence from GDPR, leaving 287 to satisfy separately.

53 candidate mappings were examined and 0 were rejected on review, signed off 2026-08-20.

Read the full crosswalk, including every rejected mapping →

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 into GDPR

35%

14 of 40 GDPR controls carry evidence from NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5, leaving 26 to satisfy separately.

56 candidate mappings were examined and 0 were rejected on review, signed off 2026-08-20.

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 NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW and GDPR

What is the difference between NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW and GDPR?

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW has 173 controls while GDPR has 27 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 NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW and GDPR?

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 NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW and GDPR so you can identify shared requirements and avoid duplicate effort.

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

Our platform maps controls between NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW and GDPR 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, NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW or GDPR?

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

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW

173 controls · Information Security

View full framework →

GDPR

27 controls · Privacy

View full framework →

Comparisons people read next

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

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 GDPR vs ISO 27701:201933 shared controls GDPR vs AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF)30 shared controls GDPR vs NIST SP 800-53 Rev 527 shared controls

See all control mappings with interactive gap analysis

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

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