IA-2(6)_access-to-accounts-separate-device
DevOps & SecurityImplement multi-factor authentication for [organization-defined] access to [organization-defined] such that: One of the factors is provided by a devic
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IA-2(6) Access to Accounts —separate Device
Enhancement of: IA-2
High-Level Description
Family: Identification and Authentication (IA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
The purpose of requiring a device that is separate from the system to which the user is attempting to gain access for one of the factors during multi-factor authentication is to reduce the likelihood of compromising authenticators or credentials stored on the system. Adversaries may be able to compromise such authenticators or credentials and subsequently impersonate authorized users. Implementing one of the factors on a separate device (e.g., a hardware token), provides a greater strength of mechanism and an increased level of assurance in the authentication process.
What to Check
- Verify IA-2(6) Access to Accounts —separate Device is documented in SSP
- Validate all 2 control requirements are implemented
- Confirm control is operating effectively
- Review evidence of continuous monitoring for IA-2(6)
- Verify enhancement builds upon base control IA-2
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for IA-2(6) implementation details. Verify the organization has documented how this control is satisfied.
Step 2: Validate Implementation
# For cloud environments, use cloud-audit-mcp tools
# For on-premises, review system configurations directly
# Example: Check if account management policies exist
grep -r "account.management\|access.control" /etc/security/ 2>/dev/null
Step 3: Test Operating Effectiveness
Verify the control is actively functioning, not just documented. Check logs, configurations, and operational evidence.
Tools
| Tool | Purpose | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| cloud-audit-mcp | Check authentication settings | cloud_audit_iam_policies |
| hackbrowser-mcp | Test authentication mechanisms | browser_auth_test |
Remediation Guide
Control Statement
Implement multi-factor authentication for [organization-defined] access to [organization-defined] such that: One of the factors is provided by a device separate from the system gaining access; and The device meets [organization-defined].
Implementation Guidance
The purpose of requiring a device that is separate from the system to which the user is attempting to gain access for one of the factors during multi-factor authentication is to reduce the likelihood of compromising authenticators or credentials stored on the system. Adversaries may be able to compromise such authenticators or credentials and subsequently impersonate authorized users. Implementing one of the factors on a separate device (e.g., a hardware token), provides a greater strength of mechanism and an increased level of assurance in the authentication process.
Risk Assessment
| Finding | Severity | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| IA-2(6) Access to Accounts —separate Device not implemented | High | Identification and Authentication |
| IA-2(6) partially implemented | Medium | Incomplete Identification and Authentication |
CWE Categories
| CWE ID | Title |
|---|---|
| CWE-287 | Improper Authentication |
References
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - IA-2(6)
- NIST SP 800-53A Rev 5 (Assessment Procedures)
- NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 Full Catalog
Checklist
- Control documented in SSP
- Implementation evidence collected
- Operating effectiveness validated
- Continuous monitoring in place
- Related controls (AC-6) reviewed