Details

The network element must be password protected.

Network access control mechanisms interoperate to prevent unauthorized access and to enforce the organization’s security policy. Access to the network must be categorized as administrator, user, or guest so the appropriate authorization can be assigned to the user requesting access to the network or a network element. Authorization requires an individual account identifier that has been approved, assigned, and configured on an authentication server. Authentication of user identities is accomplished through the use of passwords, tokens, biometrics, or in the case of multi-factor authentication, some combination thereof. Lack of authentication enables anyone to gain access to the network or possibly a network element providing opportunity for intruders to compromise resources within the network infrastructure.

Solution

Configure the network element so it will require a password to gain administrative access to the device.

Supportive Information

The following resource is also helpful.

• https://iasecontent.disa.mil/stigs/zip/U_Network_Infrastructure_Router_L3_Switch_V8R29_STIG.zip

This security hardening control applies to the following category of controls within NIST 800-53: Identification and Authentication.This control applies to the following type of system Cisco.

References

• 800-53|IA-2.
• CAT|I
• Rule-ID|SV-3012r4_rule
• STIG-ID|NET0230
• Vuln-ID|V-3012

Source

• Tenable.com/audits