Key Takeaways (TL;DR)
- Strong, unique credentials and MFA are mandatory for DoD contractors handling CUI.
- Role‑based access paired with automated auditing prevents privilege misuse and insider threats.
- Regular credential review and revocation ensures dormant accounts can't be exploited.
Why Identification & Authentication Matter
Controlling who—and what—can access your systems is foundational to cybersecurity. NIST SP 800‑171's Identification & Authentication (IA) family (controls 3.5.1 – 3.5.11) mandates stringent requirements to verify user identities, enforce least privilege, and protect login credentials from theft or misuse.
Breaking Down the Controls
| Control | Requirement | Best Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 3.5.1 | Identify & authenticate users | Unique IDs, strict on‑boarding |
| 3.5.2 | Authenticate devices | Certificate‑based machine auth |
| 3.5.3 | Use multifactor authentication | MFA for network & privileged accounts |
| 3.5.4 | Manage identifier reuse | Retire IDs before reassigning |
| 3.5.5 | Enforce reusable password rules | Minimum length 12+, complexity, rotation |
| 3.5.6 | Prevent password disclosure | Hash+salt, no plaintext storage |
| 3.5.7 | Obscure feedback on auth attempts | Generic error messages |
| 3.5.8 | Encrypt identifiers in transit | TLS 1.2+, SSH‑2 |
| 3.5.9 | Limit consecutive invalid attempts | Lockout after 5 failures |
| 3.5.10 | Store passwords & keys securely | Vaults (HashiCorp, Azure Key Vault) |
| 3.5.11 | Enforce session controls | Timeout or re‑auth after inactivity |
Implementing IA Controls Effectively
- Identity & Access Management (IAM) – Centralize user provisioning and de‑provisioning.
- Device Certificates – Enroll endpoints in an MDM/PKI to validate hardware on network join.
- Multifactor Authentication Everywhere – Combine something you know (password) with something you have (token) or are (biometrics).
- Credential Vaults & Rotation Policies – Regularly rotate keys, API tokens, and service‑account passwords.
- Continuous Monitoring – SIEM + UEBA to flag credential anomalies.
Best Practices Checklist
- Audit user accounts quarterly.
- Disable default accounts immediately.
- Use long‑form passphrases or passwordless FIDO2 keys.
- Enforce Just‑In‑Time (JIT) privileges for admins.
- Log and correlate all authentication events.
Next Steps with Total Assure
Struggling to meet NIST SP 800‑171 IA requirements? Total Assure offers:
- IA gap assessments and remediation planning
- MFA roll‑out and PKI architecture design
- 24/7 SOC monitoring for credential abuse
Contact us to secure your authentication stack and protect CUI with confidence.
About Total Assure
Total Assure operates a U.S.‑based 24/7/365 SOC and delivers managed security, engineering, and compliance services—tailored for DoD contractors and regulated SMBs.