| name | IA-3(1)_cryptographic-bidirectional-authentication |
| description | Authenticate [organization-defined] before establishing [organization-defined] connection using bidirectional authentication that is cryptographically |
| category | authentication |
| version | 5.2.0 |
| author | cyberstrike-official |
| tags | ["nist","sp800-53","rev5","ia-3-1","ia","enhancement"] |
| tech_stack | ["aws","azure","active-directory","linux","windows"] |
| cwe_ids | ["CWE-287"] |
| chains_with | ["SC-8","SC-12","SC-13"] |
| prerequisites | ["IA-3"] |
| severity_boost | {"SC-8":"Chain with SC-8 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-12":"Chain with SC-12 for comprehensive security coverage","SC-13":"Chain with SC-13 for comprehensive security coverage"} |
IA-3(1) Cryptographic Bidirectional Authentication
Enhancement of: IA-3
High-Level Description
Family: Identification and Authentication (IA)
Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
A local connection is a connection with a device that communicates without the use of a network. A network connection is a connection with a device that communicates through a network. A remote connection is a connection with a device that communicates through an external network. Bidirectional authentication provides stronger protection to validate the identity of other devices for connections that are of greater risk.
What to Check
How to Test
Step 1: Review Documentation
Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for IA-3(1) 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
Authenticate [organization-defined] before establishing [organization-defined] connection using bidirectional authentication that is cryptographically based.
Implementation Guidance
A local connection is a connection with a device that communicates without the use of a network. A network connection is a connection with a device that communicates through a network. A remote connection is a connection with a device that communicates through an external network. Bidirectional authentication provides stronger protection to validate the identity of other devices for connections that are of greater risk.
