IAC-37.2: Phishing-Resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Automated mechanisms exist to enforce phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) through authenticators that are cryptographically bound to the verifier's identity, preventing credential relay by an impersonating party.
Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to enforce phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) through authenticators that are cryptographically bound to the verifier's identity, preventing credential relay by an impersonating party?
General (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| MITRE ATT&CK 16 | T1566 T1598 |
US (4)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CISA CPG 2022 | 2.H |
| USA Federal DoW BaTB IT 2026 | 1 |
| USA Federal NSF RIG 2025 | 5.3.6 / NSF1 5.3.6 / NSF2 |
| USA California CCPA 2025 | 7123(c)(1)(A) |
EMEA (2)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | IAM-06.03AC |
| EMEA Saudi Arabia SAMA CSF 1.0 2017 | 3.3.13.4.b.6.a 3.3.13.4.b.6.b |
APAC (4)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| APAC Australia Essential 8 2024 | ISM-1682 ISM-1872 ISM-1873 ISM-1874 ISM-1894 |
| APAC Australia ISM June 2026 | ISM-1682 ISM-1872 ISM-1873 ISM-1874 ISM-1894 ISM-2011 |
| APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 | 10.55 A3-2(a) A3-5 A3-5(c) A3-6(a) |
| APAC New Zealand NZISM 3.9 | 16.7.42.C.05 16.7.42.C.06 |
Capability Maturity Model
Level 0 — Not Performed
Practices are non-existent, based on the inability to demonstrate an implemented and operational capability. A reasonable person would conclude the control is not being performed.
Level 1 — Performed Informally
SCR-CMM Level 1 criteria definitions are not available for this control: ▪ A reasonable person would conclude this control requires a structured process. ▪ At this level of maturity, the "ad hoc" nature of performing a capability informally would indicate the intent of the control is not met due to a lack of consistency and formality.
Level 2 — Planned & Tracked
Identification & Authentication (IAC) capabilities are requirements-driven, but are not standardized across the entity (e.g., local/regional level consistency). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with IAC domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with IAC domain capabilities are documented and maintained by process owners. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel work with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with IAC domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Identity & Access Management (IAM)-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines) to enforce Logical Access Control (LAC). ▪ IAM may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel to implement Role Based Access Control (RBAC) practices for the management of user, group and system accounts, including privileged accounts. ▪ A directory services technology is used to centrally manage identities and permissions with RBAC. Due to technical or business limitations, asset/process owners are empowered to operate a decentralized access control program for their specific Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) that cannot be integrated into directory services.
Level 3 — Well Defined
Identification & Authentication (IAC) capabilities are standardized across the entity for applicability to People, Processes, Technologies, Data and/or Facilities (PPTDF) to ensure consistency for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Policies and standards associated with IAC domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with IAC domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ An Identity & Access Management (IAM) team, or similar function, is appropriately staffed and supported to implement and maintain IAC domain capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of IAM operations (e.g., directory services, Authenticate, Authorize and Audit (AAA) solution). ▪ The entity's Governance, Risk & Compliance (GRC) team, or similar function, works with business stakeholders and process owners to appropriately scope and reasonably implement cybersecurity and data protection controls associated with IAC domain capabilities to address Minimum Compliance Requirements (MCR) (e.g., applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements) and Discretionary Security Requirements (DSR) (e.g., entity-required controls).
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 4 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a quantitatively-controlled process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ While it may be possible to develop “metrics-driven” capabilities for this control, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving
Utilize SCR-CMM Level 3 or Level 4 (if available) criteria definitions: ▪ There are no defined Level 5 criteria, since it is reasonable to assume a continuously-improving process is not necessary to operationalize this control. ▪ Level 5 capabilities should be considered “world-class” where the control builds on Level 4 capabilities, but are continuously improving through Artificial Intelligence (AI) and/or Machine Learning (ML) technologies. ▪ While it may be possible to develop responsive capabilities for this control through the use of AI and/or ML technologies, the criteria would be organization-specific to define.
Assessment Objectives
- IAC-37.2_A01 the accounts, Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) and access scenarios for which phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is required are defined.
- IAC-37.2_A02 automated mechanisms enforce phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) using authenticators that are cryptographically bound to the verifier's identity (e.g., FIDO2 / WebAuthn or Public Key Infrastructure (PKI)-based authenticators).
- IAC-37.2_A03 authenticator outputs are not accepted by a verifier other than the one to which the authenticator is cryptographically bound, preventing credential relay by an impersonating party.
- IAC-37.2_A04 authenticators that are not phishing-resistant (e.g., SMS, voice, email or push-notification codes) are not accepted as a factor for in-scope accounts and access scenarios.
- IAC-37.2_A05 configurations of in-scope authentication mechanisms are reviewed to confirm phishing-resistant Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) remains enforced.
Evidence Requirements
- E-IAC-16 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Configuration
-
Documented evidence of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) enforcement, including replay-resistant and phishing-resistant authenticators for privileged and non-privileged network access.
Identity & Access Management
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Passkeys or security keys for administrator accounts (e.g., Yubico, Microsoft Entra passkeys)
- Number matching enabled on push MFA
Small
- FIDO2 security keys for administrators (e.g., Yubico)
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com) authentication strength policies
- Number matching on push MFA
Medium
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com)
- Okta (https://okta.com)
- Yubico (https://yubico.com)
- Phishing-resistant MFA required for privileged roles via conditional access
Large
- Enterprise identity platform with phishing-resistant authentication strengths (e.g., Microsoft Entra, Okta, Ping Identity)
- FIDO2 / passkeys or PIV smart cards for privileged users
- Yubico (https://yubico.com)
Enterprise
- Enterprise phishing-resistant MFA program (FIDO2/passkeys, PIV/CAC)
- Microsoft Entra (https://microsoft.com) / Okta (https://okta.com) with authentication strength enforcement
- Yubico (https://yubico.com)
- Legacy and phishable factors disabled