NIST SP 800-171 & CMMC 2.0 3.5.3 Requirement:
Use multi-factor authentication for local and network access to privileged accounts and for network access to nonprivileged accounts.
NIST SP 800-171 & CMMC 2.0 3.5.3 Requirement Explanation:
Traditional authentication uses a single factor, typically a password. Multifactor authentication (MFA) requires that a second factor also be used. Examples of a second factor include an SMS pin, a smart card, or bio metric fingerprint. Any accounts that are logged into over the network must be protected with MFA. Examples include log ins to Microsoft 365 accounts, Active Directory accounts, VPN connections, and SSH connections. Any local accounts that are privileged accounts must also be protected with MFA. An example is local admin accounts on computers, servers, and network devices.
Example NIST SP 800-171 & CMMC 2.0 3.5.3 Implementation:
Implement a multi-factor authentication (MFA) in your environment. If you have local admin accounts on your systems protect them with MFA. Protect all accounts used to access cloud services (e.g., Microsoft 365) with MFA. Require MFA for remote VPN connections. Setup MFA for SSH connections. Require MFA for logins to active directory accounts.
NIST SP 800-171 & CMMC 2.0 3.5.3 Scenario(s):
- Scenario 1:
You use active directory to provide authentication services. As a result, most access to your systems occurs over the network. To protect these accounts you configure a multifactor authentication solution such as SAASPASS.
- Scenario 2:
You have a small company with 10 employees. All employees log into their workstations using their local unprivileged user accounts. Because the accounts are accessed locally and are unprivileged you have not protected them with MFA. The employees workstations do have a local admin account used by your system administrator. Each of the local admin accounts is protected by MFA because they are privileged accounts.
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