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Identity Proofing

What is Identity Proofing?

The process of verifying that a person is who they claim to be before issuing credentials, using documents, biometrics, or knowledge-based verification.

Information Security

Each of these is named in at least one of the same controls as identity proofing. The number is how many controls name both.

What the standards actually require on identity proofing

Requirements naming identity proofing across 6 standards, quoted from the control text.

Threats during the enrollment and identity proofing phase including impersonation and forgery

29115-9.2 · Enrollment and identity proofing threats
FedRAMP High4 controls

Identity Proofing | Identity Evidence. Require evidence of individual identification be presented to the registration authority

IA-12(2) · Identity Proofing | Identity Evidence. Require evidence of individual identification be presented to the registration authority

Identity Proofing | Identity Evidence. Require evidence of individual identification be presented to the registration authority

IA-12(2) · Identity Proofing | Identity Evidence. Require evidence of individual identification be presented to the registration authority

Implement IAL1 self-asserted identity proofing per NIST SP 800-63A Section 4.2. At IAL1 attributes are self-asserted by the applicant + no validation or verification of those attributes is required + identifier may be pseudonymous + attributes may be collected...

NISTSP63-2 · IAL1 Self-Asserted Identity Proofing

Conduct identity proofing per NIST SP 800-63-4 Volume A (Identity Proofing and Enrollment). Collect identity evidence per Section 4.3 (evidence quality tiers FAIR + STRONG + SUPERIOR) appropriate to IAL level.

NISTSP63R4-2 · Identity Proofing: Evidence Collection, Remote Proofing, and Identity Validation Services

Per TEFCA: identity proofing per NIST SP 800-63 + authentication for individual access.

TEFCAREC-4 · Identity Proofing and Authentication

Questions people ask about identity proofing

What is Identity Proofing?
The process of verifying that a person is who they claim to be before issuing credentials, using documents, biometrics, or knowledge-based verification.
Why is Identity Proofing important for compliance?
Identity Proofing is a key concept in Information Security. Understanding identity proofing helps organizations meet regulatory requirements, reduce risk, and demonstrate due diligence during audits. Our compliance platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings.
Which compliance frameworks address Identity Proofing?
Identity Proofing appears in the requirement text of ISO/IEC 29115:2023 - Entity Authentication Assurance Framework, FedRAMP High, FedRAMP Moderate, NIST SP 800-63 Digital Identity Guidelines, NIST SP 800-63-4. Across these standards we have identified 27 controls that name it directly, each linked to the control text on the compliance platform.
Where can I learn more about Identity Proofing?
Explore our compliance framework pages to see how identity proofing applies across different standards and regulations. Our implementation guides provide step-by-step guidance, and the compliance platform offers AI-powered analysis of how this concept maps across 686 frameworks.

See how Identity Proofing applies across compliance frameworks

Our platform maps 686 frameworks with 311K cross-framework control mappings. Explore how this concept is addressed across standards.

Written and maintained by Gerard Blokdyk, The Art of Service.