IAC-38: Cryptographic Module Authentication
Automated mechanisms exist to enable Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) to authenticate to a cryptographic module.
Renumbered: Formerly CRY-02 and IAC-12 in SCF 2025.4.
Control Question: Does the organization use automated mechanisms to enable Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) to authenticate to a cryptographic module?
General (16)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| CSA IoT SCF 2 | IAM-22 |
| GovRAMP | IA-07 |
| GovRAMP Low | IA-07 |
| GovRAMP Low+ | IA-07 |
| GovRAMP Moderate | IA-07 |
| GovRAMP High | IA-07 |
| MITRE ATT&CK 16 | T1195.003 T1495 T1542 T1542.001 T1542.003 T1542.004 T1542.005 T1553 T1553.006 T1601 T1601.001 T1601.002 |
| NIST 800-53 R4 | IA-7 |
| NIST 800-53 R5.2 | IA-07 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (low) (source) | IA-07 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (moderate) (source) | IA-07 |
| NIST 800-53B R5 (high) (source) | IA-07 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 | IA-07 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 LOW OT Overlay | IA-07 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 MODERATE OT Overlay | IA-07 |
| NIST 800-82 R3 HIGH OT Overlay | IA-07 |
US (10)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| USA Federal CMS MARS-E 2.0 | IA-7 |
| USA Federal CJIS Security Policy 6.0 | IA-7 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (low) | IA-07 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (moderate) | IA-07 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (high) | IA-07 |
| USA Federal FedRAMP R5 (LI-SaaS) | IA-07 |
| USA Federal IRS 1075 2021 | IA-7 |
| USA Texas DIR SCSC 2.2 2025 | IA-07 |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 1 | IA-07 |
| USA Texas TX-RAMP Level 2 | IA-07 |
EMEA (1)
| Framework | Mapping Values |
|---|---|
| EMEA Germany C5 2026 | IAM-09.06B |
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
Cryptographic Protections (CRY) domain capabilities are ad hoc and inconsistent. Capability criteria associated with this control may include: ▪ Policies, standards & procedures associated with CRY domain capabilities provide limited coverage due to the depth and breadth of the existing documentation. ▪ Cryptography management-related activities are decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices. ▪ IT and/or cybersecurity personnel provide an encryption solution (software or hardware) for the storage of sensitive/regulated data.
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. ▪ Configuration management and IAM functions collaborate to ensure Secure Baseline Configurations (SBC) enforce “least privileges” on TAAS.
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). ▪ An implemented and operational capability exists to ensure cryptographic modules adhere to applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements for security strength.
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-38_A01 automated mechanisms enable Technology Assets, Applications and/or Services (TAAS) to authenticate to a cryptographic module in accordance with applicable laws, executive orders, directives, policies, regulations, standards and guidelines for such authentication.
Technology Recommendations
Micro/Small
- Use strong encryption for authentication systems (HTTPS/TLS)
Small
- Cryptographic module standards for authentication systems
Medium
- Formal cryptographic authentication policy
- FIPS 140-2 validated modules where required
Large
- FIPS 140-2 validated cryptographic modules for authentication
Enterprise
- FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated cryptographic modules (e.g., HSM, FIPS-compliant libraries)
- Enterprise crypto standards