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WEB-06: Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

WEB 8 — High Protect

Mechanisms exist to implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for consumers to reasonably prove their identity.

Control Question: Does the organization implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for consumers to reasonably prove their identity?

General (6)
Framework Mapping Values
CSA CCM 4 IAM-01 IAM-02 IAM-14
NIST Privacy Framework 1.0 PR.AC-P1
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 8.3.10
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 8.3.10
SCF CORE ESP Level 2 Critical Infrastructure WEB-06
SCF CORE ESP Level 3 Advanced Threats WEB-06
US (3)
Framework Mapping Values
US DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.UNI.SAUTH
US - CA CCPA 2025 7024(g) 7027(e)
US - TX CDPA 541.055(a)(3)
EMEA (3)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA EU PSD2 4
EMEA Germany C5 2020 PSS-05
EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 2-12-1-1

Capability Maturity Model

Level 0 — Not Performed

There is no evidence of a capability to implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for consumers to reasonably prove their identity.

Level 1 — Performed Informally

C|P-CMM1 is N/A, since a structured process is required to implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for consumers to reasonably prove their identity.

Level 2 — Planned & Tracked

Web Security (WEB) efforts are requirements-driven and governed at a local/regional level, but are not consistent across the organization. CMM Level 2 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • Internet-facing technologies management is decentralized (e.g., a localized/regionalized function) and uses non-standardized methods to implement secure, resilient and compliant practices.
  • IT/cybersecurity personnel identify cybersecurity and data protection controls to address applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual requirements for Internet-facing technologies management.
  • Administrative processes and technologies focus on protecting High Value Assets (HVAs), including environments where sensitive/regulated data is stored, transmitted and processed (e.g., Demilitarized Zones (DMZs)).
  • Internet-facing technologies are configured to protect data with the strength and integrity commensurate with the classification or sensitivity of the information and mostly conform to industry-recognized standards for hardening (e.g., DISA STIGs, CIS Benchmarks or OEM security guides), including cryptographic protections for sensitive/regulated data.
Level 3 — Well Defined

Web Security (WEB) efforts are standardized across the organization and centrally managed, where technically feasible, to ensure consistency. CMM Level 3 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist: o Utilize Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) to provide defense-in-depth protection for application-specific threats. o Restrict inbound traffic to authorized devices on certain services, protocols and ports.

  • A Validated Architecture Design Review (VADR) evaluates Internet-facing design criteria for secure practices and conformance with requirements for applicable statutory, regulatory and contractual controls to determine if the system/application/service is designed, built and operated in a secure and resilient manner.
  • A change notification capability exists to scan web pages for changes, which are reviewed by appropriate personnel to determine if changes are authorized or unauthorized.
  • Ongoing content reviews are performed to ensure web pages do not contain non-public information.
  • Security engineering, or a similar function, ensures that Internet-facing devices conform to industry-recognized standards for configuration hardening (e.g., DISA STIGs, CIS Benchmarks or OEM security guides) for test, development, staging and production environments. This includes creating special hardening requirements for High-Value Assets (HVAs).
  • An Identity & Access Management (IAM) function, or similar function, enables the implementation of identification and access management controls for Internet-facing technologies.
  • Technologies are configured to implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for consumers to prove their identity.
  • Administrative processes exist and technologies are configured to provide Internet-facing individuals (e.g., customers, users, clients, etc.) with clear and precise information about cookies, in accordance with regulatory requirements for cookie management.
  • An IT Asset Management (ITAM) function, or similar function, categorizes network devices according to the data the asset stores, transmits and/ or processes and applies the appropriate technology controls to protect the asset and data.
  • Boundary protections:
Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Web Security (WEB) efforts are metrics driven and provide sufficient management insight (based on a quantitative understanding of process capabilities) to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and identify areas for improvement. In addition to CMM Level 3 criteria, CMM Level 4 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
  • Metrics reporting includes quantitative analysis of Key Risk Indicators (KRIs).
  • Scope of metrics, KPIs and KRIs covers organization-wide cybersecurity and data protection controls, including functions performed by third-parties.
  • Organizational leadership maintains a formal process to objectively review and respond to metrics, KPIs and KRIs (e.g., monthly or quarterly review).
  • Based on metrics analysis, process improvement recommendations are submitted for review and are handled in accordance with change control processes.
  • Both business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes.
Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Web Security (WEB) efforts are “world-class” capabilities that leverage predictive analysis (e.g., machine learning, AI, etc.). In addition to CMM Level 4 criteria, CMM Level 5 control maturity would reasonably expect all, or at least most, the following criteria to exist:

  • Stakeholders make time-sensitive decisions to support operational efficiency, which may include automated remediation actions.
  • Based on predictive analysis, process improvements are implemented according to “continuous improvement” practices that affect process changes.

Assessment Objectives

  1. WEB-06_A01 Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is utilized for consumers and/or data subjects to prove their identity.

Technology Recommendations

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