How can you align your authentication testing with industry standards?

1 Understand the standards

Before you start your authentication testing, you need to understand the relevant standards and guidelines that apply to your context. For example, you may need to follow the NIST SP 800-63 series for digital identity guidelines, the OWASP Testing Guide for web application security testing, or the ISO/IEC 27001 for information security management systems. These standards provide you with the criteria, requirements, and recommendations for authentication testing, such as the minimum password length, complexity, and expiration, the use of multifactor authentication, and the protection of credentials and sessions.

2 Define the scope and objectives

Next, you need to define the scope and objectives of your authentication testing, based on your risk assessment, business goals, and compliance needs. You should identify the authentication mechanisms, systems, and users that you want to test, as well as the level of detail and rigor that you want to achieve. You should also specify the expected outcomes and success criteria of your authentication testing, such as the detection of vulnerabilities, errors, or weaknesses, the verification of functionality, performance, and usability, and the improvement of security posture and awareness.

3 Choose the tools and methods

Then, you need to choose the tools and methods that you will use for your authentication testing, depending on your resources, skills, and preferences. You can use automated tools, such as scanners, fuzzers, or password crackers, to perform quick and comprehensive tests on your authentication systems. You can also use manual methods, such as penetration testing, social engineering, or brute force attacks, to simulate realistic and sophisticated threats on your authentication mechanisms. You should use a combination of tools and methods that suit your scope and objectives, and follow the ethical and legal principles of information security.

4 Perform the tests and document the results

After you have chosen your tools and methods, you can perform the tests and document the results. You should follow a systematic and consistent approach to conduct your authentication testing, such as the PTES (Penetration Testing Execution Standard) or the OWASP Testing Framework. You should also record and report your findings, such as the vulnerabilities, exploits, impacts, and recommendations, in a clear and concise manner. You should use evidence, such as screenshots, logs, or code snippets, to support your results and

tag them appropriately.
###### Evaluate the results and take actions
Finally, you need to evaluate the results and take actions to improve your authentication security. You should analyze your results and compare them with your objectives and standards, to identify the gaps, strengths, and weaknesses of your authentication systems. You should also prioritize and implement the actions that you need to take to fix the vulnerabilities, enhance the security controls, or update the policies and procedures. You should also communicate and collaborate with the relevant stakeholders, such as the developers, managers, or auditors, to ensure that your actions are aligned with the industry standards and best practices.
######Here’s what else to consider
This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?