Are covered entities required to use the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidance documents referred to in the preamble to the final Security Rule (68 Fed. Reg. 8334 (February 20, 2003))?

Answer:

No. Covered entities may use any of the NIST documents to the extent that they provide relevant guidance to that organization’s implementation activities. While NIST documents were referenced in the preamble to the Security Rule, their use is not required by the Security Rule.