National Institute Of Standards And Technology
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is a federal agency that promotes innovation and industrial competitiveness in the United States. NIST is a non-regulatory agency that works with industry to develop and apply technology, measurements, and standards. NIST’s mission is to advance measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.
NIST was established by the National Institute of Standards and Technology Act (15 U.S.C. 271 et seq.), which Congress passed on March 3, 1901. The Act created three entities: the Office of the Director of the Bureau of Weights and Measures (now known as the National Institute of Standards and Technology or “NIST”), the National Bureau of Standards (now known as the National Institute of Science), and the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO). These organizations were consolidated into NIST in 1988 when Congress enacted Title 15 Part 11 ofthe Omnibus Trade Competitiveness Act (P.L 100-418).
Today, NIST comprises four laboratories—Material Measurement Laboratory, Engineering Laboratory, Information Technology Laboratory,and Physical Measurement Laboratory—eight programs—Bioscience Program; Chemical Sciences Program; Emerging Technologies Program; Engineering Sciences Program; Information Services Division; Information Security Center; Material Measurements Program; Precision Engineering Division—and two offices—Officeof Administrative Servicesand Officeof Cybersecurity .
Although best known for its work in developing standardized weightsand measures(includingthe now ubiquitouskilogramand second),in recent years NIST has become increasingly involved in other aspects foreigntechnologyinnovation transferpreventingcounterfeitgoods importationsecuringthe nation’s critical infrastructurefrom cyberattacks improvingbuilding energyefficiency creatingnew typesof nanomaterialsand developingrobustnessstandardsfor electronichealthrecords . One currentpriorityis workingwith stakeholdersacross governmentto supportthe developmentof internationalharmonizedprivacyframeworks . In carrying out its many activities , staff collaborate with partners insideand outsideofthe federal governmentas well as academia , business , industry associations nonprofit organizations professional societies state local governments tribal organizations This broadbasednetworkenablesus to carryoutour missionmost effectively .”