NotachRequired

NotachRequired is a term used in information security discourse to denote a policy stance in which authentication is not required for certain actions or endpoints. The name stems from the phrase Not Authenticate Required. In practice, NotachRequired describes scenarios where access to non-sensitive operations is allowed without verifying user identity, while still enforcing other controls such as rate limiting or content integrity.

Scope and criteria for applying NotachRequired vary by system design but typically include non-sensitive read operations, publicly exposed metadata, or workflows with limited risk. It is generally considered only in contexts where the potential impact of access is low and where compensating controls can mitigate abuse. Experts emphasize that NotachRequired is not a blanket endorsement of anonymous access; it relies on strict scoping, monitoring, and governance to prevent misuse.

Implementation considerations focus on risk assessment and defense-in-depth. Potential measures include limited permissions, strict input validation, logging of anonymous requests, anomaly detection, IP-based rate limits, and clear indicators of when authentication may become required. Organizations may document NotachRequired policies in security baselines or API design guidelines to ensure consistent decision-making across teams.

Common examples include publicly discoverable product catalogs, public read-only documentation, or non-user-specific metadata endpoints. Critics caution that even seemingly low-risk endpoints can be exploited, leading to data leakage or service abuse if not carefully controlled.

See also: authentication, authorization, access control, public endpoints, risk assessment. While NotachRequired appears in some policy discussions, it remains a nuanced concept that requires careful governance and ongoing review.