Communications Authenticity

Protect the authenticity of communications sessions.

The intent of this requirement is to ensure a trust relationship is established between both ends of a communication session. Each end can be assured that the other end is who it is supposed to be. This is often implemented using a mutual authentication handshake when the session is established, especially between devices. Session authenticity is usually provided by a security protocol enforced for a communication session. Choosing and enforcing a protocol will provide authenticity throughout a communications session. Example You are a system administrator responsible for ensuring that the two-factor user authentication mechanism for the servers is configured correctly. You purchase and maintain the digital certificate and replace it with a new one before the old one expires. You ensure the TLS configuration settings on the web servers, VPN solution, and other components that use TLS are correct, using secure settings that address risks against attacks on the encrypted sessions [a]. Potential Assessment Considerations • Is a communications protocol used that ensures the sending and receiving parties do not change during a communications session [a]? • Are controls in place to validate the identities and information transmitted to protect against man-in-the-middle attacks, session hijacking, and insertion of false information into communications sessions [a]?