IA-12(2)_identity-evidence

IA-12(2) Identity Evidence

Enhancement of: IA-12

High-Level Description

Family: Identification and Authentication (IA) Framework: NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

Identity evidence, such as documentary evidence or a combination of documents and biometrics, reduces the likelihood of individuals using fraudulent identification to establish an identity or at least increases the work factor of potential adversaries. The forms of acceptable evidence are consistent with the risks to the systems, roles, and privileges associated with the user’s account.

What to Check

• Verify IA-12(2) Identity Evidence is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for IA-12(2)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control IA-12

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for IA-12(2) 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

Remediation Guide

Control Statement

Require evidence of individual identification be presented to the registration authority.

Implementation Guidance

Identity evidence, such as documentary evidence or a combination of documents and biometrics, reduces the likelihood of individuals using fraudulent identification to establish an identity or at least increases the work factor of potential adversaries. The forms of acceptable evidence are consistent with the risks to the systems, roles, and privileges associated with the user’s account.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - IA-12(2)
• 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 (none) reviewed