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AC.L2-3.1.8Unsuccessful Logon Attempts

>Control Description

Limit unsuccessful logon attempts.

>Cross-Framework Mappings

NIST SP 800-171

>Assessment Interview Topics

Questions assessors commonly ask

Process & Governance:

  • What is your policy for the maximum number of unsuccessful logon attempts?
  • How did you determine this threshold?
  • What is your process for handling locked accounts?
  • How do you balance security with user productivity for account lockouts?

Technical Implementation:

  • What mechanisms enforce account lockout after unsuccessful logon attempts?
  • How is account lockout configured across systems (Windows, Linux, applications)?
  • What technologies track failed logon attempts?
  • How are accounts unlocked after lockout?
  • What logging and alerting monitors brute force attempts?

Evidence & Documentation:

  • What documentation demonstrates your access control policies and procedures?
  • What access control matrices or permissions documentation can you provide?
  • What access request and approval records can you show?
  • What access review documentation demonstrates periodic reviews?
  • What audit logs demonstrate access control enforcement?
  • What screenshots or configuration exports show access control settings?

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