Which document provides guidelines for selecting and specifying security controls?

The choice of NIST 800-53 as the document that provides guidelines for selecting and specifying security controls is appropriate because this publication focuses specifically on the security and privacy controls for federal information systems and organizations. NIST 800-53 outlines a comprehensive catalog of security controls, emphasizing a risk management framework and the importance of tailoring security controls based on the needs and context of the organization.

This document serves as a foundational resource within the NIST special publication series for establishing a robust security posture that aligns with various compliance requirements, including those mandated by federal law. Organizations leverage NIST 800-53 to ensure that their security controls adequately address potential threats and vulnerabilities, thus enabling them to protect sensitive information effectively.

In contrast, other NIST documents mentioned serve different purposes. For example, NIST 800-37 provides guidance on the Risk Management Framework, while NIST 800-39 addresses the framework for managing organizational risk. NIST 800-64 focuses on security considerations in systems development life cycle processes. Each of these documents plays a unique role in the broader context of cybersecurity, but it is NIST 800-53 that specifically concentrates on the selection and specification of security controls.