Inter-Agent Communication Security
Objective
Authenticate and encrypt all agent-to-agent messaging to prevent internal compromise.
Control / requirement
mTLS for agent mesh + message signing + payload validation.
Business impact
Unsecured inter-agent communication enables lateral movement and prompt chaining. Estimated exposure: $500k–$10M.
Validation approach
Test ID: D3-CTL-02-VTS-001 Test Type: Automated Test Design: Inject unauthenticated/malformed message into agent communication channel; measure rejection. Execution Steps: 1. Capture agent message format 2. Forge unauthenticated payload 3. Inject into test mesh 4. Verify rejection & alert Pass Criteria: unauthenticated_message_accepted = 0; mTLS_enforced = 100%; payload_validation_pass_rate >= 99% Independent Verification: Auditor injects forged messages into isolated test environment.
Expected evidence
Not separately specified in the available source.
Mapping and source
Not separately specified in the available source.
Implementation guidance
Translate the requirement into system-specific procedures, responsible roles, technical configurations and review conditions. Retain evidence showing both design and operating performance. Where the source provides no separate implementation instruction, do not infer that a single technical mechanism is sufficient.
Assessment considerations
- Confirm scope and applicability.
- Inspect control design and responsible ownership.
- Test representative operation and adverse conditions where appropriate.
- Evaluate evidence provenance, completeness and contradictory evidence.
- Record limitations and notably absent outcomes.