IA-4(9)_attribute-maintenance-and-protection

IA-4(9) Attribute Maintenance and Protection

Enhancement of: IA-4

High-Level Description

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

For each of the entities covered in IA-2, IA-3, IA-8 , and IA-9 , it is important to maintain the attributes for each authenticated entity on an ongoing basis in a central (protected) store.

What to Check

• Verify IA-4(9) Attribute Maintenance and Protection is documented in SSP
• Confirm control is operating effectively
• Review evidence of continuous monitoring for IA-4(9)
• Verify enhancement builds upon base control IA-4

How to Test

Step 1: Review Documentation

Examine the System Security Plan (SSP) and related artifacts for IA-4(9) 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

Maintain the attributes for each uniquely identified individual, device, or service in [organization-defined].

Implementation Guidance

For each of the entities covered in IA-2, IA-3, IA-8 , and IA-9 , it is important to maintain the attributes for each authenticated entity on an ongoing basis in a central (protected) store.

Risk Assessment

CWE Categories

References

• NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 - IA-4(9)
• 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