Skip to main content

WEB-07: Strong Customer Authentication (SCA)

WEB 8 — High Protect

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

Renumbered: Formerly WEB-06 in SCF 2025.4.

Code reused: In SCF 2025.4 and earlier, WEB-07 was Web Security Standard. That control is now WEB-03.

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

General (3)
Framework Mapping Values
CSA CCM 4.1.0 IAM-01 IAM-13 IAM-14
PCI DSS 4.0.1 (source) 8.3.10
PCI DSS 4.0.1 SAQ D Service Provider (source) 8.3.10
US (3)
Framework Mapping Values
USA Federal DHS CISA TIC 3.0 3.UNI.SAUTH
USA California CCPA 2025 7024(g) 7027(e)
USA Texas CDPA 2025 541.055(a)(3)
EMEA (2)
Framework Mapping Values
EMEA EU PSD2 2015 97(1) 97(1)(a) 97(1)(b) 97(1)(c) 97(2)
EMEA Saudi Arabia CSCC-1 2019 2-12-1-1
APAC (5)
Framework Mapping Values
APAC India RBI Digital Payments 2021 33.0 34.c 34.d 51.0
APAC India RBI PA 2025 Annex 1.2.2
APAC India RBI PPI 2025 11.6.3 11.6.4
APAC Malaysia RMiT 2025 12.1(b) A3-4(a) A3-4(b) A3-4(c) A3-6(b) A3-6(c) A3-6(d) A3-6(e) A3-6(f) A3-7(b) A7-D2(a) A7-D2(d)(viii) A7-D2(e)(vi) A7-D2(e)(x)
APAC Singapore MAS TRM 2021 14.2.1 14.2.5 14.2.6 14.2.7 14.2.8 14.2.9

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

Web Security (WEB) 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 WEB domain capabilities are formally documented and centrally-managed by the entity. ▪ Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) associated with WEB 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 WEB domain capabilities to address applicable statutory, regulatory and/or contractual requirements for Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD). ▪ Web security-related controls are primarily administrative and preventative in nature (e.g., policies, standards and procedures & guidelines). ▪ Web security management may be a defined function (e.g., team or department) or assigned as an additional duty to existing IT and/or cybersecurity personnel.

Level 3 — Well Defined

Web Security (WEB) 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 WEB 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 WEB domain capabilities are well-documented and kept current by process owners. ▪ A web management team, or simiE210:E1635main capabilities. ▪ Technology is leveraged to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of web management operations (e.g., secure web gateway and Content Management System (CMS) 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 WEB 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 implement Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) for consumers to reasonably prove their identity.

Level 4 — Quantitatively Controlled

Web Security (WEB) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ 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. ▪ Business and technical stakeholders are involved in reviewing and approving proposed changes to evolve capabilities.

Level 5 — Continuously Improving

Web Security (WEB) capabilities, in addition to being standardized across the entity and centrally managed to ensure consistency across Technology Assets, Applications, Services and/or Data (TAASD), efforts are metrics driven to provide sufficient insight for decision makers to predict optimal performance, ensure continued operations and/or identify areas for improvement. Capability criteria associated with this control reasonably expect the following criteria to exist: ▪ Applicable SCR-CMM Level 3 (Well Defined) capabilities are implemented and operational. ▪ Based on predictive analysis, process improvements are implemented according to “continuous improvement” practices that affect process changes. ▪ Stakeholders make time-sensitive decisions to support operational efficiency, which may include automated remediation actions via Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Learning (ML) technologies.

Assessment Objectives

  1. WEB-07_A01 Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) is utilized for consumers and/or data subjects to prove their identity.

Evidence Requirements

E-WEB-02 Client-Facing Web Services Protections

Documented evidence of protections for client-facing web services, including Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) and secure web traffic.

Website Security

Technology Recommendations

Micro/Small

  • Use MFA for customer-facing authentication

Small

  • Strong customer authentication (SCA) policy
  • MFA for customer accounts

Medium

  • Formal SCA implementation for applicable customer services

Large

  • Enterprise SCA program for customer-facing services
  • PSD2 compliance where applicable

Enterprise

  • Enterprise customer authentication platform (e.g., Auth0, Okta Customer Identity)
  • SCA enforcement
  • PSD2/FIDO2 compliance

The Secure Controls Framework (SCF) is maintained by SCF Council. Use of SCF content is subject to the SCF Terms & Conditions.

Manage this control in SCF Connect

Track implementation status, collect evidence, and map controls to your compliance frameworks automatically.