---
title: "NIST & CISA Release Token Security Guidelines to Combat Cyber Threats"
short_title: "NIST and CISA draft token security guidelines for comment"
description: "NIST and CISA unveil draft guidelines to protect tokens and assertions from forgery, theft, and misuse. Submit feedback by January 30, 2026."
author: "Vitus"
date: 2025-01-24
categories: [Cybersecurity, Vulnerabilities]
tags: [nist, cisa, token security, cybersecurity, identity management]
score: 0.75
cve_ids: []
---
TL;DR
NIST and CISA have released a draft Interagency Report (IR) 8597 to help federal agencies and cloud service providers (CSPs) protect identity tokens and assertions from forgery, theft, and misuse. The guidelines emphasize Secure by Design principles, transparency, and interoperability. Public comments are open until January 30, 2026.
---
Main Content
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have unveiled a critical draft report aimed at strengthening the security of identity tokens and assertions. Titled [Protecting Tokens and Assertions from Forgery, Theft, and Misuse](https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/protecting-tokens-and-assertions-forgery-theft-and-misuse), the report addresses rising threats targeting digitally signed tokens used in Identity and Access Management (IAM) systems.
This initiative aligns with the White House’s [Executive Order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/sustaining-select-efforts-to-strengthen-the-nations-cybersecurity-and-amending-executive-order-13694-and-executive-order-14144/) to bolster national cybersecurity, providing actionable guidance for federal agencies and CSPs to mitigate risks associated with token-based attacks.
---
Key Points
- Objective: The draft report aims to protect identity tokens and assertions from tampering, theft, and misuse in cloud environments.
- Target Audience: Federal agencies, cloud service providers (CSPs), and organizations relying on IAM systems for access control.
- Secure by Design: CSPs are urged to adopt Secure by Design best practices, prioritizing transparency, configurability, and interoperability to empower consumers.
- Shared Responsibility: The report clarifies roles and responsibilities for managing IAM controls in cloud environments, ensuring alignment with risk posture and threat landscapes.
- Public Feedback: Stakeholders can submit comments via iam@list.nist.gov until January 30, 2026.
---
Technical Details
Recent cybersecurity incidents have highlighted vulnerabilities in IAM systems, particularly those relying on digitally signed tokens and assertions. Attackers exploit these weaknesses to:
- Steal tokens to gain unauthorized access.
- Modify tokens to escalate privileges.
- Forge tokens to impersonate legitimate users.
The draft report outlines controls and best practices to mitigate these risks, including:
- Enhanced Token Validation: Implementing robust validation mechanisms to detect tampered or forged tokens.
- Secure Storage and Transmission: Ensuring tokens are stored and transmitted securely to prevent interception.
- Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Defining clear roles and permissions to limit exposure.
- Monitoring and Auditing: Continuous monitoring of token usage to detect anomalous behavior.
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Impact Assessment
The guidelines have far-reaching implications for both federal agencies and private sector organizations:
- Federal Agencies: Must align their IAM strategies with the report’s recommendations to ensure compliance with cybersecurity mandates.
- Cloud Service Providers (CSPs): Are encouraged to adopt Secure by Design principles, enhancing transparency and configurability to better support consumers.
- Organizations: Can leverage the guidelines to strengthen their identity management frameworks, reducing the risk of token-based attacks.
Failure to implement these measures could expose organizations to data breaches, unauthorized access, and operational disruptions.
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Conclusion
The release of NIST IR 8597 marks a significant step toward securing identity tokens and assertions in an era of escalating cyber threats. By adopting the recommended practices, federal agencies and CSPs can mitigate risks, enhance transparency, and foster a more secure digital ecosystem.
Stakeholders are encouraged to review the draft and submit feedback by January 30, 2026, to shape the final guidelines. For more details, visit [NIST’s site](https://csrc.nist.gov/pubs/ir/8587/ipd).
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References
[^1]: CISA. "[NIST and CISA Release Draft Interagency Report on Protecting Tokens and Assertions from Tampering, Theft, and Misuse](https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/alerts/2025/12/22/nist-and-cisa-release-draft-interagency-report-protecting-tokens-and-assertions-tampering-theft-and)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.
[^2]: The White House. "[Sustaining Select Efforts to Strengthen the Nation’s Cybersecurity and Amending Executive Order 13694 and Executive Order 14144](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/06/sustaining-select-efforts-to-strengthen-the-nations-cybersecurity-and-amending-executive-order-13694-and-executive-order-14144/)". Retrieved 2025-01-24.