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CERT-In Empanelled — Nationally recognized cybersecurity auditor designation under MeitY

UIDAI AUA/KUA Audit: Aadhaar Ecosystem Security and Compliance

Specialized Aadhaar compliance audit for AUA, KUA, Sub-AUA, and Sub-KUA entities. CERT-In empanelled auditors validate real Aadhaar authentication and eKYC flows, not just documentation, ensuring your UIDAI checklist is submission-ready.

AUA + KUA
Audit Coverage
UIDAI-Aligned
Methodology
6,700+
Assessments
Since 2008
CERT-In Empanelled

Security Brigade delivers the annual UIDAI compliance audit required for entities performing Aadhaar authentication, eKYC, or operating as Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA. Our auditors validate Aadhaar architecture, encryption-at-source, Aadhaar Vault, HSM controls, biometric and RD device security, OTP and eKYC flows, masked Aadhaar handling, data retention and deletion, and complete audit trails. Every checklist item includes compliance status, auditor observations, and management comments as required by UIDAI.

Trusted by India's leading enterprises

ICICI Bank
NPCI
HDFC
Mahindra
Aditya Birla
PhonePe
Pernod Ricard
Swiggy
Asian Paints
Yes Bank
Tata Play
Larsen & Toubro
Voltas
DHL Express
Etihad Airways
Amazon Pay
Go Digit
Pharmeasy
BillDesk
Jubilant Foods
UltraTech
Titan
Infosys
Capgemini
Groww
Sephora
STEP 01

Assess

Map your Aadhaar architecture, data flows, authentication and eKYC integrations, encryption controls, Aadhaar Vault, HSM, biometric devices, and retention policies against the full UIDAI compliance checklist.

STEP 02

Remediate

Receive a risk-ranked gap report with specific remediation guidance. Security Brigade works with your engineering and compliance teams to close observations before the final report is issued.

STEP 03

Certify

Receive the final UIDAI AUA/KUA Compliance Audit Report with the completed checklist including compliance status, auditor observations, and management comments, ready for UIDAI submission.

What Is a UIDAI AUA/KUA Audit?

A UIDAI AUA/KUA audit is a mandatory annual security and compliance audit for entities that use Aadhaar authentication or eKYC services. The audit validates that AUA, KUA, Sub-AUA, and Sub-KUA entities comply with UIDAI's data security requirements, covering Aadhaar data handling, encryption, storage, access controls, and application security.

Who Needs a UIDAI AUA/KUA Audit?

Any entity in the Aadhaar authentication and eKYC ecosystem must undergo an annual compliance audit and share the report with UIDAI.

Authentication User Agency (AUA)

Entities that use Aadhaar authentication to verify identity via UIDAI services. Audit covers authentication request flows, biometric/OTP/demographic handling, encryption, device security, logs, and API integration.

eKYC User Agency (KUA)

Entities authorized to receive eKYC data from UIDAI. Audit adds stronger review of eKYC data handling, storage, masking, retention, access control, sharing, deletion, and privacy controls.

Sub-AUA

Downstream entities using Aadhaar authentication through a parent AUA. Audit emphasizes parent oversight, contract controls, application and data-flow review, vendor controls, and annual compliance evidence.

Sub-KUA

Downstream entities using eKYC services through a parent KUA. Audit scope includes all Sub-AUA requirements plus eKYC data handling, retention, deletion, and privacy controls.

Banks and NBFCs Using Aadhaar eKYC

Financial institutions leveraging Aadhaar for customer onboarding, KYC verification, loan processing, or account opening through licensed AUA/KUA partners.

Fintech and Payment Companies

Payment aggregators, wallets, lending platforms, and fintechs using Aadhaar-based authentication or eKYC for customer identity verification and onboarding.

Government and Public Sector Entities

Government departments, PSUs, and public-facing platforms using Aadhaar for citizen identity verification, DBT, and service delivery.

Telecom and Insurance Companies

Telecom operators using Aadhaar eKYC for SIM activation and insurance companies using Aadhaar for policyholder verification and claims processing.

Methodology

7 stages. Audit-ready results.

Every engagement follows this process through Lemon, our proprietary audit management platform.

Security Brigade's UIDAI audit methodology goes beyond checklist completion. Our auditors validate actual Aadhaar authentication and eKYC application flows, test encryption implementations, review Aadhaar Vault architecture, and verify data handling practices through evidence and technical testing. A control is considered compliant only when policies, procedures, mechanisms, resources, and technical enablements are actually in place for ongoing compliance.

Discovery
01

Scoping and Architecture Review

Document AUA/KUA/Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA role, Aadhaar integration architecture, ASA connectivity, application landscape, and all systems touching Aadhaar data. Collect authorization agreements and prior audit reports.

02

Data-Flow and Encryption Validation

Map Aadhaar data flows across application, network, API, ASA, storage, logs, support, and reporting systems. Validate encryption-at-source, encryption-in-transit, Aadhaar Vault or reference-key architecture, and HSM key management controls.

03

Application and Device Security Testing

Test Aadhaar authentication and eKYC applications through VAPT, SAST, and DAST. Review biometric device and registered-device (RD) controls. Validate OTP, biometric, demographic, and eKYC flow integrity.

Testing
04

Access Control and Audit Trail Review

Review access control matrices, privileged access management, maker-checker controls, admin logging, audit trail completeness, log retention, monitoring, and incident response readiness.

05

Data Retention, Deletion, and Masking Review

Validate masked Aadhaar usage, storage minimization, Aadhaar number and VID and UID token handling, eKYC XML/PDF data management, data retention schedules, and deletion controls.

Delivery
06

Gap Assessment and Remediation Support

Deliver risk-ranked gap report with specific observations and remediation guidance. Work with your engineering and compliance teams to close non-compliances before the final report.

07

Final Report and UIDAI Submission Pack

Issue the final UIDAI AUA/KUA Compliance Audit Report with the completed UIDAI checklist including compliance status, auditor observations, and management comments. Prepare the submission-ready pack for UIDAI.

"We needed an assessment on a 3-week timeline because of a partner integration deadline. Security Brigade turned it around in 18 days, including the L2 and L3 reviews. The report was regulator-ready — we submitted it to our partner's compliance team unchanged. When speed and credibility both matter, they're the only call we make."
VP Engineering, Retail & Quick Commerce
Vice President — Engineering

Read more client stories →

The Platform

Powered by Lemon

Most firms rely on individual tester skill. We built a platform that makes quality structural — informed by 6,700+ previous assessments.

lemon.securitybrigade.com/project/PRJ-2847
D
C
F
R
T
PROJECT PRJ-2847
Coverage Validation — acmecorp.com
94% covered
Endpoints
247 / 263
Parameters
1,847
Auth Flows
12 / 12
JS Routes
38 / 41
AI flagged 3 undiscovered endpoints
/api/v2/admin/export, /api/v2/billing/webhook, /internal/healthcheck
L1 Complete
L2 In Review
L3 Pending

Lemon Audit Management Platform

Orchestrates the entire audit lifecycle from scoping to final report. Manages evidence collection, checklist mapping, findings, remediation tracking, closure validation, and generates the UIDAI-format compliance report.

B-52 AI-Powered Audit Engine

Runs VAPT, SAST, and DAST on your Aadhaar authentication and eKYC applications. B-52 reasons about business logic, maps user flows, identifies chained attack paths, and verifies exploitability before reporting.

Real-Time Customer Dashboard

Track your audit progress, view findings as they are identified, monitor remediation status, and collaborate with auditors through a secure, real-time project dashboard.

Compliance-Ready

Audit-ready reporting for every framework

As a CERT-In empanelled firm, our reports are accepted by Indian regulators and meet global framework requirements.

Aadhaar Architecture and Integration Review
Application architecture, UIDAI integrat
Encryption and Key Management
Encryption-at-source, encryption-in-tran
Application Security Testing (VAPT/SAST/DAST)
Penetration testing and code review for
Biometric Device and RD Service Controls
Registered device (RD) service verificat
Access Control and Privileged Access
Access control matrix review, privileged
Data Handling, Retention, and Deletion
Masked Aadhaar usage, storage minimizati
Audit Trail, Logging, and Monitoring
Log retention policies, audit trail comp
Third-Party and Vendor Controls
ASA provider controls, Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA o

Industries

700+ clients across verticals

Every type of application architecture and business logic pattern — tested.

BFSIICICI Bank, HDFC, Yes Bank, UTI MF, Edelweiss
Fintech & PaymentsPhonePe, Amazon Pay, Groww, BillDesk
ManufacturingMahindra, Asian Paints, L&T, Hindalco
Retail & ConsumerSwiggy, Sephora, Pernod Ricard, Jubilant
Aviation & LogisticsEtihad Airways, DHL Express, Shadowfax
HealthcareCloudNine, Pharmeasy, Wave Health

Quality Assurance

Multi-Tier Review: L1/L2/L3 Audit Quality Assurance

Every UIDAI audit report passes through a rigorous multi-tier review before it reaches you or UIDAI.

Security Brigade's multi-tier review process ensures that no checklist item is marked compliant without verified evidence, no non-compliance is missed due to auditor oversight, and every observation is technically accurate and clearly documented. This process is enforced through Lemon and cannot be bypassed. No audit report is released without manager sign-off and clearance of all platform-generated quality alerts.

L1: Auditor Execution

The assigned auditor conducts the full technical assessment, collects evidence, validates controls, and documents findings against the UIDAI checklist.

L2: Manager Review

A senior manager reviews every checklist item, validates evidence sufficiency, checks for missing test cases, and ensures observation quality and consistency.

L3: Lead Approval

The engagement lead performs final quality review, validates report accuracy, ensures UIDAI submission readiness, and signs off on the audit report before release.

Deliverables

What you get

Reports for two audiences — executives who need the risk picture, and developers who need to fix the issues. With code-level guidance, not vague advice.

UIDAI AUA/KUA Compliance Audit Report

The primary audit report covering scope, systems reviewed, audit period, methodology, observations, compliance status, and conclusion. Structured for UIDAI submission.

UIDAI Checklist with Auditor Observations

The completed UIDAI compliance checklist with compliance status, detailed auditor observations, and AUA/KUA management comments for every control item.

Aadhaar Data-Flow and Architecture Annexure

Documented Aadhaar data flows across application, network, API, ASA, storage, logs, support, and reporting systems with architecture diagrams.

VAPT and Application Security Testing Report

Detailed penetration testing and security testing report for Aadhaar authentication and eKYC applications, with findings, proof, impact, and remediation guidance.

Gap Assessment and Remediation Tracker

Risk-ranked gap report with non-compliances, evidence gaps, remediation recommendations, owner assignments, severity, target dates, and closure status.

Closure Validation Report

Post-remediation validation confirming that identified non-compliances have been addressed, with evidence of closure for each observation.

Final Certification and Submission Pack

The complete submission-ready pack including the audit report, completed checklist, annexures, and attestation for UIDAI filing.

Continuous Compliance with ShadowMap

The audit gives you a snapshot. ShadowMap gives you the always-on view.

An annual audit proves your posture at a single point in time. Between audits, attack surfaces drift, credentials leak, sub-domains get added, vendors get breached. ShadowMap watches the boundary continuously so the next audit isn't a surprise.

See the full ShadowMap platform 30-day POC available · Platform Only · Service Only · Hybrid

FAQ

Common questions

Can't find what you're looking for? Talk to our team.

Contact us
What is the difference between AUA and KUA in Aadhaar compliance?+
An AUA (Authentication User Agency) uses Aadhaar authentication to verify identity, while a KUA (eKYC User Agency) is authorized to receive eKYC data from UIDAI. KUA audits have a broader scope because they cover all AUA requirements plus additional controls for eKYC data handling, storage, masking, retention, access control, sharing, and deletion. Both require annual compliance audits with reports shared with UIDAI.
Is the UIDAI AUA/KUA audit mandatory every year?+
Yes, UIDAI mandates that AUA and KUA operations and systems should be audited annually and on a need basis. The audit reports must be shared with UIDAI. Sub-AUA and Sub-KUA entities are also expected to be audited annually with audit reports shared with UIDAI through their parent AUA or KUA.
What does the UIDAI compliance checklist cover?+
The UIDAI compliance checklist covers Aadhaar architecture, data flows, encryption-at-source, Aadhaar Vault implementation, HSM and key management, biometric device and RD service controls, OTP and biometric and eKYC authentication flows, masked Aadhaar usage, data retention and deletion, access controls, audit trails, VAPT, and third-party and vendor controls. Each item requires compliance status, auditor observations, and management comments.
Do Sub-AUA and Sub-KUA entities also need to be audited?+
Yes, UIDAI onboarding guidance states that Sub-AUA and Sub-KUA operations and systems should also be audited annually and audit reports shared with UIDAI. The audit scope for downstream entities emphasizes parent oversight, contract controls, application and data-flow review, vendor controls, and annual compliance evidence.
What is an Aadhaar Vault and why is it audited?+
An Aadhaar Vault is a secure storage mechanism where Aadhaar numbers are stored in encrypted form and accessed through a reference key or token. The audit validates the Vault architecture, encryption implementation, access controls, tokenization logic, and that Aadhaar numbers are not stored in plaintext anywhere in the system including logs, databases, backups, and support tools.
Does the UIDAI audit include penetration testing and VAPT?+
Yes, the UIDAI audit scope includes application security testing through VAPT, SAST, and DAST for Aadhaar authentication and eKYC applications and APIs. Security Brigade runs these tests through B-52, our AI-powered audit engine, combined with deep manual testing to validate real authentication flows, not just surface-level scans.
Can Security Brigade help if we fail the UIDAI audit?+
Yes. Security Brigade provides remediation support as part of the engagement. If gaps or non-compliances are identified during the assessment phase, we provide specific remediation guidance and work with your teams to close observations before issuing the final report. The gap assessment includes risk rankings, remediation recommendations, and a closure validation step.
How long does a UIDAI AUA/KUA audit typically take?+
A typical UIDAI AUA/KUA audit takes four to six weeks from scoping to final report delivery. The timeline depends on the number of applications in scope, complexity of Aadhaar integration architecture, number of Sub-AUA or Sub-KUA entities, and the time required for remediation and closure validation.
Is a CERT-In empanelled auditor required for UIDAI audits?+
While UIDAI does not explicitly mandate CERT-In empanelled auditors for all AUA/KUA audits, using a CERT-In empanelled firm provides regulatory credibility and is increasingly expected by regulators and ecosystem partners. Security Brigade is CERT-In empanelled, which strengthens the audit report's acceptance by UIDAI and downstream regulatory bodies.
How is Security Brigade different from other UIDAI audit firms?+
Security Brigade validates real Aadhaar authentication and eKYC flows through technical testing, not just document review. Our B-52 engine and manual testing depth cover application, API, and business logic vulnerabilities in Aadhaar-facing systems. Lemon manages the entire audit lifecycle with evidence traceability and remediation tracking. We have deep BFSI and fintech experience where Aadhaar audit overlaps with RBI, NPCI, and payment compliance requirements.

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