id: "IA-05(02)" title: "Public Key-based Authentication" family: "IA" family_name: "Identification and Authentication" sort_id: "ia-05.02" priority: "P1" implementation_level: "system" parent: "IA-05" enhancement: True
For public key-based authentication:
Enforce authorized access to the corresponding private key; and
Map the authenticated identity to the account of the individual or group; and
When public key infrastructure (PKI) is used:
Validate certificates by constructing and verifying a certification path to an accepted trust anchor, including checking certificate status information; and
Implement a local cache of revocation data to support path discovery and validation.
Guidance
Public key cryptography is a valid authentication mechanism for individuals, machines, and devices. For PKI solutions, status information for certification paths includes certificate revocation lists or certificate status protocol responses. For PIV cards, certificate validation involves the construction and verification of a certification path to the Common Policy Root trust anchor, which includes certificate policy processing. Implementing a local cache of revocation data to support path discovery and validation also supports system availability in situations where organizations are unable to access revocation information via the network.
Assessment Objective: authorized access to the corresponding private key is enforced for public key-based authentication;
Assessment Objective: the authenticated identity is mapped to the account of the individual or group for public key-based authentication;
Assessment Objective: when public key infrastructure (PKI) is used, certificates are validated by constructing and verifying a certification path to an accepted trust anchor, including checking certificate status information;
Assessment Objective: when public key infrastructure (PKI) is used, a local cache of revocation data is implemented to support path discovery and validation.
Identification and authentication policy
procedures addressing authenticator management
system security plan
system design documentation
system configuration settings and associated documentation
PKI certification validation records
PKI certification revocation lists
other relevant documents or records
Organizational personnel with PKI-based, authenticator management responsibilities
organizational personnel with information security responsibilities
system/network administrators
system developers
Mechanisms supporting and/or implementing PKI-based, authenticator management capability