Date Published: May 2026
Author(s)
Yang Guo (NIST), Jeremy Licata (NIST), Jeff Neel (Argonne National Laboratory), Gary Key (DoD HPCMP), James Waterman (DoD HPCMP), Ian Lee (Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, ShorePoint), Catherine Hinton (Los Alamos National Laboratory), David Shrader (Los Alamos National Laboratory), Andrew Prout (MIT Lincoln Laboratory), Albert Reuther (MIT Lincoln Laboratory), Ted Bohrer (NASA), Katsutoshi Ishisoko (NASA), Kyle Earley (Ohio Supercomputer Center), Aron Warren (Sandia National Laboratories), Tony DeNardo (Sandia National Laboratories), Ian Czarnezki (University of Arkansas), Erik Deumens (University of Florida)
High-performance computing (HPC) systems provide fundamental computing infrastructure for large-scale and complex simulations, big data analysis, and the training of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models, all at exceptional speeds. Securing HPC systems is essential to safeguard AI models, protect sensitive data, and realize the full benefits of HPC. The HPC system utilizes specialized hardware, software, and high-speed networks within intricate user environments, and high performance is a fundamental requirement of the system. This NIST Special Publication introduces an HPC security overlay designed to address these unique security characteristics and requirements. Built on the moderate baseline defined in NIST SP 800-53B, the overlay tailors 60 security controls from NIST SP 800-53 with supplemental guidance and/or discussion 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. This document is intended for use by IT security managers, compliance officers, HPC system administrators, and agency program managers responsible for securing HPC environments.
High-performance computing (HPC) systems provide fundamental computing infrastructure for large-scale and complex simulations, big data analysis, and the training of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models, all at exceptional speeds. Securing HPC systems is essential to...
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High-performance computing (HPC) systems provide fundamental computing infrastructure for large-scale and complex simulations, big data analysis, and the training of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models, all at exceptional speeds. Securing HPC systems is essential to safeguard AI models, protect sensitive data, and realize the full benefits of HPC. The HPC system utilizes specialized hardware, software, and high-speed networks within intricate user environments, and high performance is a fundamental requirement of the system. This NIST Special Publication introduces an HPC security overlay designed to address these unique security characteristics and requirements. Built on the moderate baseline defined in NIST SP 800-53B, the overlay tailors 60 security controls from NIST SP 800-53 with supplemental guidance and/or discussion 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. This document is intended for use by IT security managers, compliance officers, HPC system administrators, and agency program managers responsible for securing HPC environments.
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Keywords
high-performance computing; HPC reference architecture; HPC security; moderate control baselines; security control; security overlay
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