compliance.tf

Cognitive Services accounts should have local authentication methods disabled

Disable local authentication methods so that Cognitive Services accounts require Azure Active Directory identities exclusively for authentication. The Checkov check inspects `local_auth_enabled` on `azurerm_cognitive_account`.

What this control checks

Cognitive Services accounts require Azure Active Directory identities exclusively

Framework mappings

The clauses this control is mapped to in each framework.

NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5

  • AC-2 Account Management
  • AC-2(1) Automated System Account Management
  • AC-2(7) Privileged User Accounts
  • Access Enforcement (AC-3)
  • IA-2: Identification And Authentication
1 more clause
  • IA-4 Identifier Management

NIST SP 800-171 Rev 2

  • 3.1.1 Limit system access to authorized users, processes acting on behalf of authorized users, and devices (including other systems)
  • 3.1.2: Limit system access to the types of transactions and functions that authorized users are permitted to execute.
  • 3.1.3 Control the flow of CUI in accordance with approved authorizations
  • 3.5.1 Identify system users, processes acting on behalf of users, and devices
  • 3.5.2 Authenticate (or verify) the identities of users, processes, or devices, as a prerequisite to allowing access to organizational systems
6 more clauses
  • 3.5.5 Prevent reuse of identifiers for a defined period
  • 3.5.6 Disable identifiers after a defined period of inactivity
  • 3.13.1: Monitor, control, and protect communications (i.e., information transmitted or received by organizational systems) at the external boundaries and key internal boundaries of organizational systems.
  • 3.13.2 Employ architectural designs, software development techniques, and systems engineering principles that promote effective information security within organizational systems
  • 3.13.5 Implement subnetworks for publicly accessible system components that are physically or logically separated from internal networks
  • 3.13.6: Deny network communications traffic by default and allow network communications traffic by exception (i.e., deny all, permit by exception).

Tool mappings

Use these identifiers to cross-reference this control across tools, reports, and evidence.

  • Compliance.tf Control: cognitive_service_local_auth_disabled
  • Checkov Check: CKV_AZURE_236
  • Powerpipe Control: azure_compliance.control.cognitive_service_local_auth_disabled
  • Prowler Check: aiservices_account_local_auth_disabled
  • Azure Policy Definition: 14de9e63-1b31-492e-a5a3-c3f7fd57f555

Last reviewed: 2026-10-11

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