Authentication

Root User without Hardware MFA

Platform(s)
Compliance Frameworks
  • AWS CIS
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  • AWS Foundational Security Best Practices Controls
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  • CCM-CSA
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  • cis_8
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  • CSA CCM
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  • Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) Best Practices
  • ,
  • essential_8_au
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  • essential_8_au_level_1
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  • essential_8_au_level_2
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  • Mitre ATT&CK
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  • mpa
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  • New Zealand Information Security Manual
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  • NIST 800-171
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  • NIST 800-53
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  • Orca Best Practices
  • ,
  • pipeda
  • ,
  • UK Cyber Essentials

Description

The root user account is the most privileged user in an AWS account. MFA adds an extra layer of protection on top of a user name and password. With MFA enabled, when a user signs in to an AWS website, they will be prompted for their user name and password as well as for an authentication code from their AWS MFA device. For Level 2, it is recommended that the root user account be protected with a hardware MFA.