diff --git a/user_channel/user_layer.hpp b/user_channel/user_layer.hpp
index 57f5317..7926c59 100644
--- a/user_channel/user_layer.hpp
+++ b/user_channel/user_layer.hpp
@@ -210,4 +210,15 @@
                                       const PrivAccess& privAccess,
                                       const bool& otherPrivUpdate);
 
+/** @brief check for user pam authentication. This is to determine, whether user
+ * is already locked out for failed login attempt
+ *
+ *  @param[in] username - username
+ *  @param[in] password - password
+ *
+ *  @return status
+ */
+bool ipmiUserPamAuthenticate(std::string_view userName,
+                             std::string_view userPassword);
+
 } // namespace ipmi