Password Protection Policy
1.0 Purpose
Passwords are ana importantcritical aspectsecurity ofcontrol computerfor security.protecting user Aaccounts, poorlyorganizational chosensystems, and sensitive information. This policy establishes the mandatory standards for password maycreation, resultprotection, inmanagement, and system-level handling to prevent unauthorized access and/or exploitation of our resources. All staff, including contractors and vendorsmitigate security risks associated with accessweak toor <Company Name> systems, are responsible for taking the appropriate steps, as outlined below, to select and secure theircompromised passwords.
The purpose ofto this policy is to establish a standardessential for creationmaintaining the security and integrity of strongthe passwordsorganization's IT environment.
2.0 Scope
This policy applies to all employees, contractors, consultants, temporary staff, vendors, agents, and theany protectionother ofindividuals those passwords.
The scope of this policy includes all personnel("Users") who have or are responsible for anany account (or any form of access that supports or requiresrequiring a password)password on any system thatthat:
* residesResides atwithin any <Companyorganizational Name>facility.
* facility, has accessConnects to the <Companyorganization's Name>network.
* network, or stores anyStores non-public <Company Name>organizational information.
This includes user accounts, service accounts, administrative accounts, application accounts, network device accounts, etc. It also applies to application developers designing systems that handle authentication.
3.0 Policy Statements
3.1 User Responsibilities: Password Creation and Protection
Application* developers**Mandatory Requirements:** All passwords used to access organizational resources must ensuremeet thatthe theirminimum programsrequirements enforced by the respective systems. These requirements typically include:
* **(Placeholder: Minimum Length - e.g., 12 characters)**
* **(Placeholder: Complexity Requirements - e.g., Must contain characters from 3 of the following security4 precautions:
ApplicationsUppercase letters, Lowercase letters, Numbers, Symbols)**
* **(Placeholder: Password History - e.g., Cannot reuse the last 10 passwords)**
* **(Placeholder: Maximum Password Age - e.g., Must be changed every 90 days)**
*(Note: The specific values for the placeholders above must supportbe authenticationdefined ofand individualconfigured users,by notthe groups.
Applicationsbased on risk assessment and best practices).*
* **Password Confidentiality:** Users must keep their passwords confidential. Passwords must not storebe shared with anyone, including colleagues, supervisors, family members, or IT support staff. (IT support will use other methods for assistance). Passwords must not be written down in unsecured locations (e.g., sticky notes, unsecured files).
* **Uniqueness:** Passwords must be unique to each organizational account and should not be reused across different systems or external non-organizational accounts.
* **Suspicion of Compromise:** If a user suspects their password has been compromised, they must change it immediately and report the suspicion to the IT Help Desk or designated security contact.
* **Guidance:** Users should follow the best practices outlined in the organization's **Password Creation Guideline** for creating strong, memorable passwords or passphrases that meet these policy requirements.
3.2 System and Application Requirements (Developer/Administrator Responsibilities)
* **Individual Authentication:** Systems and applications must authenticate individual users. Use of shared or group accounts should be minimized and requires specific approval and controls.
* **Secure Storage:** Passwords must **never** be stored in clear text or in any easily reversible form.
Applications(e.g., weak hashing, simple encryption with embedded keys). Strong, salted, adaptive hashing algorithms (e.g., bcrypt, scrypt, Argon2, PBKDF2) must notbe transmitused passwordsfor storing password hashes. Refer to Secure Database Credential Handling Policy for application credential storage.
* **Secure Transmission:** Passwords must **never** be transmitted in clear text over any network. Secure, encrypted protocols (e.g., TLS/SSL, SSH) must be used for all authentication processes involving password transmission.
* **Role Management/Delegation:** Applications should provide mechanisms for role management or delegation (e.g., impersonation, delegated authority) so that administrative tasks or functional coverage can occur without requiring users to share their personal passwords.
* **Password Policy Enforcement:** Systems must be configured to technically enforce the network.mandatory password requirements defined in section 3.1 (minimum length, complexity, history, expiration).
Applications4.0 must provide for some sort of role management, such that one user can take over the functions of another without having to know the other's password.Compliance
4.1 Compliance Measurement
ComplianceThe Measurement
TheIT authority (e.g., Precision Computer teamteam, Information Security, Internal Audit) will verify compliance towith this policy through various methods,methods. includingThese butinclude nottechnical limitedenforcement to,checks periodicvia walk-thrus,system videoconfigurations, monitoring,audits businessof toolpassword reports,storage internalmechanisms andin applications, security assessments, review of account management procedures, internal/external audits, and feedbackanalysis toof theauthentication policy owner. logs.
4.2 Exceptions
Any exception to thethis policy must(e.g., for specific system accounts or legacy applications where requirements cannot be approvedmet) byrequires formal, documented justification, risk assessment identifying compensating controls, and advance approval from the designated IT authority (e.g., Precision Computer Team inor advance.Information Security).
An4.3 employeeEnforcement
* Failure by users to havecomply violatedwith thispassword policyprotection requirements may beresult subject toin disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.employment or contract.
* Failure by system administrators or developers to ensure systems comply with the technical requirements of this policy may result in requirements for immediate remediation, system isolation, or disciplinary action.
* Accounts with non-compliant passwords may be disabled until brought into compliance.
5.0 Definitions
* **Password:** A secret string of characters used to authenticate a user to a system or service.
* **Password ConstructionHash:** A one-way cryptographic representation of a password, used for secure storage and comparison.
* **Salt:** Random data added to a password before hashing to make precomputed hash attacks (e.g., rainbow tables) ineffective.
* **Clear Text:** Unencrypted, human-readable data.
* Password Creation Guideline
* Acceptable Use Policy
* Information Security Policy (Overall)
* Secure Database Credential Handling Policy
* Secure Development Policy / Standards
* Remote Access Policy
* Account Management Policy