6.3 Require MFA for Externally-Exposed Applications
Require multi-factor authentication, where the application supports it, on every internet-facing application, whether the enterprise's own or a third party's; switching it on centrally in the directory or single sign-on service counts as compliance. Implementation Groups: IG1, IG2 and IG3 (part of the IG1 essential cyber hygiene baseline, so every enterprise applies it). Asset type: Users. Security function: Protect.
Source: CIS Controls v8.1, 6.3. The statement above is our statement of the clause, read from the published text and cited so you can check it against the official text, not the instrument verbatim. Open CIS Controls v8.1 in the compliance library.
Each safeguard shows its Implementation Groups. IG1 is the essential baseline for every enterprise, IG2 adds to it, IG3 is all 153. Version 8.1 adds the Govern security function and asks for more processes to be documented; numbering is unchanged from v8.
These are the artefacts auditors commonly ask for on this requirement, our guidance rather than text from the standard. Your assessor decides what is sufficient in your context, and asks for samples across the period when a report covers one.
system holds itEvidence a system already holds
- SSO or IdP conditional access policies requiring MFA · Identity provider / directory
periodic reviewEvidence produced at each review
- Exception records · Identity provider / directory
governing documentDocuments that govern the control
- Inventory of internet-facing applications with MFA status · Policy repository / GRC workspace
First move
Common gaps auditors find
- Legacy authentication protocols bypass MFA
- Vendor portals without MFA
- Exception list not reviewed
Do this for your whole sheet
Paste the rows you run your controls from and get this mapping for every control at once, with the periodic-review ones flagged and a first move per row. No account for the first run.
Build my evidence sheet6.2 Establish an Access Revoking Process · 6.4 Require MFA for Remote Network Access