Password Policy
Purpose:
Requirements:
Passwords require at least one of the following
- 10 character minimum
- 1 uppercase character
- 1 lowercase character
- 1 numeric character
- 1 special character (!@#$%&?)
Passwords must be kept secret and must never be shared with anyone.
Punitive: Members found to share passwords will have their site privileges curbed or revoked.
A password policy is a set of rules and guidelines established by an organization to ensure the security and integrity of user passwords used to access systems, applications, and sensitive information. A well-defined password policy helps protect against unauthorized access, data breaches, and other security threats. Here are some key components that are typically included in a password policy:
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Password Complexity: Define requirements for password complexity, such as minimum length, use of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This makes passwords harder to guess or crack through brute-force attacks.
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Password History: Specify how often users are required to change their passwords and set a limit on the reuse of previous passwords. This prevents users from recycling the same passwords repeatedly.
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Password Expiration: Determine the interval after which passwords expire and need to be changed. Regular password changes reduce the risk of unauthorized access due to compromised credentials.
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Account Lockout: Set rules for automatically locking user accounts after a specified number of failed login attempts. This helps prevent brute-force attacks and unauthorized access attempts.
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Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Encourage or mandate the use of two-factor authentication, where users need to provide a second form of verification in addition to their password. This adds an extra layer of security.
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Password Recovery: Specify guidelines for password recovery or reset processes to ensure that they are secure and not easily exploited by attackers.
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User Education: Provide clear instructions to users about the importance of creating strong passwords, the risks of sharing passwords, and how to securely manage their passwords.
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Password Storage: Define how passwords should be stored in the system's database. Best practices involve hashing and salting passwords to protect them from exposure in case of a data breach.
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Password Sharing and Sharing Policies: Discourage password sharing among users and outline the consequences of violating the policy. Encourage the use of individual accounts for accountability.
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Third-Party Applications: If your organization uses third-party applications or services, ensure that their password policies align with your organization's security standards.
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Regular Auditing and Compliance: Establish a mechanism to regularly audit and assess compliance with the password policy. This can help identify areas for improvement and ensure that users are following security guidelines.
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Enforcement and Consequences: Clearly state the consequences of violating the password policy, such as account suspension or loss of access privileges.
Implementing a robust password policy is a fundamental step in enhancing the overall cybersecurity posture of an organization. It helps safeguard sensitive data and systems by minimizing the risk of unauthorized access through compromised or weak passwords.