High-Performance Computing (HPC) Security Overlay | NIST Invites Comments on SP 800-234

The initial public draft (IPD) of NIST Special Publication (SP) 800-234, High-Performance Computing (HPC) Security Overlay, is now available for public comment.

High-performance computing (HPC) systems provide fundamental computing infrastructure for large-scale artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) model training, big data analysis, and complex simulations at exceptional speeds. Securing HPC systems is essential for safeguarding AI models, protecting sensitive data, and realizing the full benefits of HPC capabilities.

This NIST Special Publication introduces an HPC security overlay that is designed to address the unique characteristics and requirements of HPC systems. Built upon the moderate baseline defined in SP 800-53B, the overlay tailors 60 security controls with supplemental guidance and/or discussions to enhance their applicability in HPC contexts. This overlay aims to provide practical, performance-conscious security guidance that can be readily adopted. For many organizations, it offers a robust foundation for securing HPC environments while also allowing for further customization to meet specific operational or mission needs.

The public comment period is open through July 3rd, 2025. See the publication details for a copy of the draft and instructions for submitting comments. Additional information can be found at the NIST HPC SecurHigh-Performance Computing Security Working Groupity Working Group website.

Note: A call for patent claims is included in the front matter of this draft. For additional information, see the Information Technology Laboratory (ITL) Patent Policy – Inclusion of Patents in ITL Publications.