AUA/KUA Readiness
for Aadhaar Authentication
and eKYC
AUA/KUA and UIDAI compliance
Prepare Your Aadhaar Authentication and eKYC Environment for UIDAI Audit
iSpyCyber helps Authentication User Agencies, eKYC User Agencies and sub-AUAs understand UIDAI’s security requirements, close gaps in their Aadhaar ecosystem and prepare evidence for their mandated audit. We pair compliance expertise with hands-on security testing of the applications, infrastructure and integrations that handle Aadhaar data.
Why organisations choose iSpyCyber
Aadhaar ecosystem expertise
We understand how authentication and eKYC flows move through your applications, ASA connectivity and UIDAI's systems.
Data vault done right
Aadhaar Data Vault design, reference keys, encryption and access restrictions reviewed against UIDAI requirements.
HSM and key management
Hardware security module usage, key lifecycle, certificates and signing reviewed end to end.
Technical testing included
Application, API and infrastructure testing of the systems that capture, transmit and store Aadhaar data.
Evidence organised for auditors
Policies, configurations and records grouped by UIDAI requirement to simplify the formal audit.
Readiness every year
Periodic reviews and continuous vulnerability visibility through iefyx, our AI-native VAPT platform.
Coverage
UIDAI Requirements We Assess and Test
Our reviews follow the Aadhaar Act, the Aadhaar regulations and UIDAI’s security requirements for requesting entities.
Governance and policy
Information security policy, roles, sub-AUA agreements and compliance with the Aadhaar Act and regulations.
Aadhaar Data Vault
Storage of Aadhaar numbers only in an encrypted vault, reference key usage and restricted, logged access.
HSM and cryptography
FIPS-compliant hardware security modules, key management, digital certificates and encryption of data at rest and in transit.
Registered devices and PID
Use of UIDAI-certified registered devices, encrypted PID blocks and prohibition on storing biometrics.
eKYC data handling
Storage, use and sharing of eKYC data, Virtual ID and masked Aadhaar usage, and purpose limitation.
Consent and notice
Informed consent capture, purpose disclosure, alternatives offered and consent records for every transaction.
Network and ASA connectivity
Secure connectivity to the ASA, segmentation, firewall rules and hardening of authentication servers.
Logging and retention
Authentication transaction logs, their permitted content, retention periods and protection from tampering.
Application and infrastructure security
Vulnerability assessment and penetration testing of front-end apps, APIs, servers and supporting infrastructure.
Methodology
A Six-Phase Path from Readiness to UIDAI Audit
Aligned to the Aadhaar Act, the Aadhaar authentication and data security regulations, UIDAI specifications and circulars, and tailored to your role as AUA, KUA or sub-AUA.
- Aadhaar Act 2016
- Aadhaar Authentication Regulations
- Aadhaar Data Security Regulations
- UIDAI specifications
- ISO/IEC 27001
4–10
weeks for a typical readiness programme
6
lifecycle phases
2
Aadhaar services covered
01
- Week 1
Scope and discover
Your role, use cases, applications, sub-AUAs, ASA connectivity and data flows confirmed.
Key activities
- Confirm AUA, KUA and sub-AUA relationships
- Map authentication and eKYC data flows
- Identify systems, devices and vendors in scope
- Output: Scope and Aadhaar data flow map
02
- Weeks 1–3
Gap assessment
Controls assessed against UIDAI requirements through interviews, document review and configuration checks.
Key activities
- Review policies, agreements and consent records
- Inspect data vault and HSM configuration
- Check logging, retention and access controls
- Output: Requirement-by-requirement gap report
03
- Weeks 2–5
Technical testing
Security testing of the applications, APIs and infrastructure that handle Aadhaar data.
Key activities
- Application and API penetration testing
- Infrastructure vulnerability assessment
- Checks for Aadhaar numbers stored outside the vault
- Output: Technical test reports
04
- Weeks 4–8
Remediate
Policies, procedures and technical controls fixed with guidance from our specialists.
Key activities
- Update policies and procedures
- Guide vault, HSM and logging fixes
- Retest remediated vulnerabilities
- Output: Closed gaps and retest results
05
- Weeks 7–9
Evidence and pre-audit
Evidence organised by requirement and a pre-audit review confirming readiness.
Key activities
- Compile evidence packs by requirement
- Walk through controls with owners
- Confirm open items and timelines
- Output: Audit-ready evidence pack
06
- During the formal audit
Audit support
Support while your eligible auditor performs the UIDAI-mandated audit.
Key activities
- Coordinate evidence requests with the auditor
- Help respond to observations
- Plan closure and the next review cycle
- Output: Observation closure plan
Effort distribution
Where the programme time goes
Much of the effort goes into testing and fixing the systems that handle Aadhaar data. Percentages are indicative for a first readiness programme.
Quality built into every phase
Aadhaar data traced
We follow every place Aadhaar data travels.
Controls tested
Technical claims are verified hands-on.
Mapped to UIDAI requirements
Evidence follows how auditors check each control.
Clear on our role
We prepare you. Eligible auditors certify.
Engagement options
Choose the AUA/KUA Support That Fits Your Stage
Whether you are onboarding with UIDAI or preparing for a periodic audit, every option follows the same methodology.
Gap assessment
A review of your Aadhaar environment against UIDAI requirements with a prioritised remediation plan. Best for new AUAs and KUAs or entities unsure where they stand.
Full readiness programme
Scoping, gap assessment, technical testing, remediation support, policy updates and a pre-audit review. Best for entities preparing for a UIDAI-mandated audit.
Ongoing compliance support
Periodic control reviews, testing after changes, sub-AUA oversight and tracking of new UIDAI circulars. Best for staying audit-ready throughout the year.
Not sure which option you need?
Our specialists will recommend an approach based on your role, use cases and audit timeline.
Deliverables
Everything You Need Before Your UIDAI Audit
Clear priorities for leadership, practical fixes for engineering and organised evidence for your auditor.
Gap report
Status against each UIDAI requirement, with gaps rated by risk and effort and an executive summary.
Policies and procedures
Information security policy, data vault and key management procedures, consent and retention procedures.
Evidence packs and test reports
Evidence organised by requirement, with application and infrastructure test reports and retest results.
Remediation roadmap
A sequenced plan with owners and dates, closing the gaps that would raise audit observations first.
Aligned with the frameworks your Aadhaar programme depends on
- Aadhaar Act 2016
- Aadhaar Authentication Regulations
- Aadhaar Data Security Regulations
- UIDAI circulars
- DPDP Act 2023
- RBI KYC Directions
- ISO/IEC 27001
- PCI DSS
- OWASP Top 10
- NIST SP 800-115
iSpyCyber provides readiness, gap assessment, remediation support and technical security testing. UIDAI-mandated audits and their certificates must be issued by auditors that meet UIDAI’s eligibility criteria, and iSpyCyber does not issue them.
AUA/KUA readiness for regulated industries
FAQ
AUA/KUA and UIDAI compliance questions, answered
Can’t find what you need? Talk to our security team.
The basics
Can iSpyCyber issue our UIDAI audit report or compliance certificate?
No. UIDAI requires requesting entities to be audited by auditors that meet its eligibility criteria, which commonly means an information security auditing organisation empanelled by CERT-In. iSpyCyber is not on that panel and does not issue UIDAI audit reports or certificates. We prepare you for the formal audit through gap assessment, technical testing, remediation support and evidence preparation, and support you while your chosen auditor carries it out.
What is the difference between an AUA, a KUA and a sub-AUA?
An AUA uses Aadhaar authentication to verify individuals for its services. A KUA is an AUA that is also permitted to use eKYC to receive demographic data and photographs. A sub-AUA uses Aadhaar authentication through an existing AUA and must still meet UIDAI’s requirements.
What is an Aadhaar Data Vault?
It is a secure, access-controlled store where Aadhaar numbers must be kept in encrypted form, with each number mapped to a reference key that other systems use instead. Encryption keys are protected in a hardware security module.
Can we store biometrics or full Aadhaar numbers in our applications?
No. Core biometric information must not be stored, and Aadhaar numbers may only be stored in the Aadhaar Data Vault. Elsewhere, systems should use reference keys, Virtual IDs or masked numbers. Our testing checks for Aadhaar numbers stored outside the vault.
Working with us
How often are AUA/KUA audits required?
UIDAI requires periodic audits of requesting entities, and may call for additional audits at any time. We recommend confirming the current frequency and scope against the latest UIDAI circulars and your agreement, and we help you plan readiness work around that cycle.
How long does AUA/KUA readiness take?
A gap assessment usually takes two to three weeks. A full readiness programme typically runs four to ten weeks, depending on the number of applications, sub-AUAs and gaps found.
Get started
Protect Every Aadhaar Transaction.
Be Ready for Every Audit.
Talk to our specialists about a scoped AUA/KUA readiness review for your Aadhaar authentication and eKYC environment.
- ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO 9001 certified
- 40+ enterprise and government clients
- 15+ countries