NIST SP 800-53
Security

Identification & Authentication Policy (IA Family) Template

Defines requirements for identifying and authenticating users, devices, and services, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 IA control family.

What This Policy Covers

Purpose and Scope-Policy objectives and applicability (IA-1).
User Identification-Unique identification requirements for all users (IA-2).
Multi-Factor Authentication-MFA requirements by access type and assurance level (IA-2).
Authenticator Management-Password, token, and certificate lifecycle management (IA-5).
Device and Service Identification-Machine identity and mutual authentication (IA-3, IA-9).
Identity Proofing-Verification of identity before credential issuance (IA-12).
Re-Authentication Requirements-Conditions requiring re-authentication (IA-11).

Required Sections

A compliant Identification & Authentication Policy (IA Family) for NIST SP 800-53 must include the following7 sections. Each section addresses a specific control requirement that auditors will review.

1

Purpose and Scope

Policy objectives and applicability (IA-1).

2

User Identification

Unique identification requirements for all users (IA-2).

3

Multi-Factor Authentication

MFA requirements by access type and assurance level (IA-2).

4

Authenticator Management

Password, token, and certificate lifecycle management (IA-5).

5

Device and Service Identification

Machine identity and mutual authentication (IA-3, IA-9).

6

Identity Proofing

Verification of identity before credential issuance (IA-12).

7

Re-Authentication Requirements

Conditions requiring re-authentication (IA-11).

Generate a Customized Version

This template shows the required structure. PoliWriter generates a fully customized Identification & Authentication Policy (IA Family) that references your actual cloud providers, identity systems, tools, and team practices — ready for auditor review.

Policy Details

Category

Security

Sections

7 total (7 required)

Other NIST SP 800-53 Templates

Access Control Policy (AC Family)

Establishes access control requirements covering account management, access enforcement, separation of duties, and least privilege, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 AC control family.

Audit & Accountability Policy (AU Family)

Defines audit logging, monitoring, and accountability requirements aligned with NIST SP 800-53 AU control family.

Security Assessment & Authorization Policy (CA Family)

Establishes requirements for security assessments, system authorization, and continuous monitoring, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CA control family.

Configuration Management Policy (CM Family)

Defines configuration management requirements including baseline configurations, change control, and configuration monitoring, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CM control family.

Contingency Planning Policy (CP Family)

Establishes contingency planning requirements including backup, recovery, and continuity of operations, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 CP control family.

Incident Response Policy (IR Family)

Establishes an incident response capability including preparation, detection, analysis, containment, recovery, and post-incident activities, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 IR control family.

System & Communications Protection Policy (SC Family)

Defines requirements for protecting system communications and data, including boundary protection, cryptography, and denial-of-service protection, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 SC control family.

Risk Assessment Policy (RA Family)

Establishes requirements for assessing security risks including vulnerability scanning, threat analysis, and privacy impact assessments, aligned with NIST SP 800-53 RA control family.

View all 10 templates