IA-02 Identification and Authentication (Organizational Users)
Identification and Authentication
Description
Uniquely identify and authenticate organizational users and associate that unique identification with processes acting on behalf of those users.
Supplemental Guidance
Organizations can satisfy the identification and authentication requirements by complying with the requirements in [HSPD 12]. Organizational users include employees or individuals who organizations consider to have an equivalent status to employees (e.g., contractors and guest researchers). Unique identification and authentication of users applies to all accesses other than those that are explicitly identified in AC-14 and that occur through the authorized use of group authenticators without individual authentication. Since processes execute on behalf of groups and roles, organizations may require unique identification of individuals in group accounts or for detailed accountability of individual activity. Organizations employ passwords, physical authenticators, or biometrics to authenticate user identities or, in the case of multi-factor authentication, some combination thereof. Access to organizational systems is defined as either local access or network access. Local access is any access to organizational systems by users or processes acting on behalf of users, where access is obtained through direct connections without the use of networks. Network access is access to organizational systems by users (or processes acting on behalf of users) where access is obtained through network connections (i.e., nonlocal accesses). Remote access is a type of network access that involves communication through external networks. Internal networks include local area networks and wide area networks. The use of encrypted virtual private networks for network connections between organization-controlled endpoints and non-organization-controlled endpoints may be treated as internal networks with respect to protecting the confidentiality and integrity of information traversing the network. Identification and authentication requirements for non-organizational users are described in IA-8.
Enhancements (8)
What NIST adds to this control. Select one to read its statement.
IA-02(01) Multi-factor Authentication to Privileged Accounts LowModerateHigh
Implement multi-factor authentication for access to privileged accounts.
IA-02(02) Multi-factor Authentication to Non-privileged Accounts LowModerateHigh
Implement multi-factor authentication for access to non-privileged accounts.
IA-02(05) Individual Authentication with Group Authentication High
When shared accounts or authenticators are employed, require users to be individually authenticated before granting access to the shared accounts or resources.
IA-02(06) Access to Accounts —separate Device
Implement multi-factor authentication for [Selection (one or more): local; network; remote] access to [Selection (one or more): privileged accounts; non-privileged accounts] such that: a. One of the factors is provided by a device separate from the system gaining access; and b. The device meets [Assignment: organization-defined strength of mechanism requirements].
IA-02(08) Access to Accounts — Replay Resistant LowModerateHigh
Implement replay-resistant authentication mechanisms for access to [Selection (one or more): privileged accounts; non-privileged accounts].
IA-02(10) Single Sign-on
Provide a single sign-on capability for [Assignment: organization-defined system accounts and services].
IA-02(12) Acceptance of PIV Credentials LowModerateHigh
Accept and electronically verify Personal Identity Verification-compliant credentials.
IA-02(13) Out-of-band Authentication
Implement the following out-of-band authentication mechanisms under [Assignment: organization-defined conditions]: [Assignment: organization-defined out-of-band authentication].
Withdrawn by NIST:
- IA-02(03) Local Access to Privileged Accounts, now in IA-02(01)
- IA-02(04) Local Access to Non-privileged Accounts, now in IA-02(02)
- IA-02(07) Network Access to Non-privileged Accounts — Separate Device, now in IA-02(06)
- IA-02(09) Network Access to Non-privileged Accounts — Replay Resistant, now in IA-02(08)
- IA-02(11) Remote Access — Separate Device, now in IA-02(06)
Patterns that use this control (24)
Grouped by the emphasis each pattern gives it.
Critical (16)
- SP-005 SOA Internal Service Usage Pattern
- SP-006 Wireless- Private Network Pattern
- SP-007 Wireless- Public Hotspot Pattern
- SP-011 Cloud Computing Pattern
- SP-015 Secure Remote Working
- SP-021 Realtime Collaboration Pattern
- SP-022 Board of Directors Room
- SP-029 Zero Trust Architecture
- SP-030 API Security
- SP-032 Modern Authentication
- SP-033 Passkey Authentication
- SP-037 Privileged User Management
- SP-044 SaaS Identity Lifecycle Management
- SP-048 Offensive AI and Deepfake Defence (draft)
- SP-050 Mobile Security Architecture (draft)
- SP-054 CBDC and Digital Currency Infrastructure (draft)
Important (7)
Standard (1)
MITRE ATT&CK Techniques (173)
ATT&CK v16.1Techniques mitigated by this control, mapped via CTID.