National Institute of Standards and Technology

Wheeled chart of National Bureau of Standards activities, 1915

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), formerly known as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) until 1988, is a measurement standards laboratory and a non-regulatory agency of the United States Department of Commerce. Its mission is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

History

NIST was established in 1901 as the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) to address the lack of consistent standards in the United States and to improve the competitiveness of U.S. industry. Over the years, NIST has been instrumental in developing and promoting standards for science and technology that have contributed significantly to technological advancements, safety, and economic growth.

Mission and Activities

The mission of NIST is to promote U.S. innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology. NIST conducts research in several fields of physical science, develops and maintains the national standards of measurements, provides the standards that ensure interoperability among different devices and systems, and develops and promotes technology, metrics, and practices to protect information systems against threats to the security of the United States.

Divisions and Laboratories

NIST operates several laboratories, including the Physical Measurement Laboratory, the Material Measurement Laboratory, the Engineering Laboratory, the Information Technology Laboratory, the Communications Technology Laboratory, and the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology. Each laboratory focuses on different areas of research and standard development.

Standards and Technology

NIST plays a critical role in establishing and maintaining measurement standards, including the definition of the meter, kilogram, second, and other fundamental units used in science and industry. It also develops and promotes technology and standards to improve product quality, to enhance health care, to facilitate trade, and to ensure public safety.

Cybersecurity Framework

One of the key contributions of NIST in recent years is the development of the Cybersecurity Framework, which provides a policy framework of computer security guidance for how private sector organizations in the U.S. can assess and improve their ability to prevent, detect, and respond to cyber attacks.

Impact on Industry and Technology

NIST's work impacts a wide range of industries, including manufacturing, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and nanotechnology. Its research and standards play a crucial role in enabling innovation, ensuring product quality, facilitating trade, and improving security.

See Also

• Metrology
• Standardization
• Information Technology Laboratory
• Cybersecurity Framework

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