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National Institute of Standards and Technology

The National Institute of Standards and Technology is the part of the U.S. Department of Commerce that develops measurement science and technical standards. Its work supports industry, science, and security, from the accuracy of weights and clocks to guidance on cybersecurity and manufacturing. Businesses and agencies widely use its guidance.

People usually bring questions about how standards are developed and who uses them. Others ask about the cybersecurity framework, programs that help small manufacturers, and how accurate measurement underlies trade, technology, and public safety.

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December 27last updated

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All Articles on National Institute of Standards and Technology

A Guide to NIST’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)

For more than three decades, a quiet federal program has been helping small manufacturers across America compete in the global economy. The Manufacturing Extension…

28 Min Read

How NIST Builds Rules: An Inside Look at Standards Development

Every time you use GPS navigation, make an online purchase, or trust that a skyscraper won't collapse in an earthquake, you're relying on an…

28 Min Read

The NIST Cybersecurity Framework: A Guide for U.S. Businesses

The National Institute of Standards and Technology Cybersecurity Framework is a voluntary set of guidelines, standards, and best practices designed to help any organization—regardless…

37 Min Read

The History of NIST: The National Institute of Standards and Technology

Your smartphone knows the time down to a billionth of a second. Your credit card transactions are protected by codes that would take supercomputers…

39 Min Read

NIST: The Agency That Keeps America Running

When your car's gas tank holds exactly one gallon, when your smartphone knows precisely where you are, when your medical test results are accurate—all…

29 Min Read