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IA-5 (06)Authenticator Management | Protection of Authenticators

Moderate
High

>Control Description

Protect authenticators commensurate with the security category of the information to which use of the authenticator permits access.

>FedRAMP Baseline Requirements

No FedRAMP-specific parameter values or requirements for this baseline.

>Discussion

For systems that contain multiple security categories of information without reliable physical or logical separation between categories, authenticators used to grant access to the systems are protected commensurate with the highest security category of information on the systems. Security categories of information are determined as part of the security categorization process.

>Assessment Interview Topics

Questions assessors commonly ask

Process & Governance:

  • What formal policies and procedures govern the implementation of IA-5(6) (Protection Of Authenticators)?
  • Who are the designated roles responsible for implementing, maintaining, and monitoring IA-5(6)?
  • How frequently is the IA-5(6) policy reviewed and updated, and what triggers policy changes?
  • What governance structure ensures IA-5(6) requirements are consistently applied across all systems?

Technical Implementation:

  • Describe the specific technical mechanisms or controls used to enforce IA-5(6) requirements.
  • What automated tools, systems, or technologies are deployed to implement IA-5(6)?
  • How is IA-5(6) integrated into your system architecture and overall security posture?
  • What configuration settings, parameters, or technical specifications enforce IA-5(6) requirements?

Evidence & Documentation:

  • What documentation demonstrates the complete implementation of IA-5(6)?
  • What audit logs, records, reports, or monitoring data validate IA-5(6) compliance?
  • Can you provide evidence of periodic reviews, assessments, or testing of IA-5(6) effectiveness?
  • What artifacts would you present during a FedRAMP assessment to demonstrate IA-5(6) compliance?

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