PASSWORD POLICY
In the age of hackers and data breaches, it is more important than ever to have strong passwords. A password policy is a set of rules that should be followed when creating passwords. These policies are designed to ensure that users create strong passwords and don't reuse them, among other things.
Password policies are usually set by the organization's IT security team or department. For many organizations, this is a policy that is often overlooked and undervalued. One of the most critical aspects of digital security is password policy. Here are some tips to get you started:
- Use a complex password that is difficult for hackers to guess using numbers, symbols, and upper- and lowercase letters.
- Create passwords with at least eight characters in length.
- Change your passwords regularly, at least once every six months or more often if necessary.
- Establish password rules as far as characters go (uppercase letters, lowercase letters); numbers are acceptable but optional, special characters are not necessary but recommended.
- Don't share passwords with anyone unless it is essential. It doesn't matter who they are or how much you trust them - don't do this. You could be breaking the law if you share with unauthorized people.
Passwords policy for project managers :
Project managers have a unique set of challenges when it comes to passwords. They need to remember dozens of passwords for their projects, and they also need to keep those passwords secure so that no one can access them.
As a project manager, it's essential to have strong passwords throughout the organization. This is where a password manager comes into the picture. The great thing about using a password manager is having different passwords for each account -- one for your email, one at work, etc. It also helps if you want to change your username or reset your password somewhere else because they will all be managed centrally by the app on your phone or computer.
Password for Project Management software :
Project management software is a term that refers to any software that manages or helps with project planning, tracking, and management. It helps streamline your day-to-day operations, so you can focus on building something great. Passwords are an essential aspect of security for companies that use project management software.
It is imperative to have a good password policy in place to ensure your project information stays safe. Many businesses are turning to two-factor authentication for user authentication. This is a great way to protect your business from unauthorized users trying to access your data and accounts. You make the following changes in your software within the password settings:
- Password expiration settings determining how frequent users need to change their password
- Password history settings identifying how often a user can reuse the password after making a change.
2 step verification is an extra layer of security that many people use to protect their online accounts. With this authentication method, you'll need more than just a password to log in--you'll also need access to the second form of identification.
This means that if someone were to guess or memorize your password, they would still be unable to log in unless they had the phone or email account associated with the secondary form of ID. It typically involves entering a password and then receiving a code on your phone, which you enter in addition to the password. If someone else has access to your phone, they won't get into your account without also knowing the password.
Components of password policy :
- Complexity requirements- The primary component is a minimum length requirement, and there should be different requirements for different types of passwords. Usually, you should specify the minimum number of characters, kind of characters, and several numeric characters.
- Password history- password history component will ensure that users don't reuse old passwords. This one can also include time limits on how long ago they were used, so it's not too easy to guess which ones they'll use again in the future.
- Lockout- The account lockout is a system that locks out your account if you've tried too many incorrect login attempts. The user needs to contact IT support to get his account unlocked.
Best principles for Password Management :
- Password encryption- Password encryption is a process that protects passwords from being read by unauthorized people. This is done for purposes such as privacy and protection against unauthorized access or modification. As the world grows increasingly connected, there are more chances for hackers to steal data and break security systems.
- Advanced authentication method- Apply non- password-based biometric authentication methods like the fingerprint method. Users can log in to their systems by scanning their fingerprints and uses other methods like facial recognition. This method identifies employees by recognizing their faces or irises.
- Password testing- Improve the security of your password by testing it frequently. Password testers will check for key loggers and phishing sites, as well as other ways someone might get into your account.
- Avoid dictionary words- Hackers have highly advanced programs that scroll through thousands of dictionary words. Avoiding such terms will save your business from dictionary attacks.
- Change passwords- Unfortunately, it is uncommon for your ex-employee to become your worst enemy. Do practice changing your passwords so that former employees don't hack into your business database and create a hassle. Don't unnecessarily change passwords as users tend to repeat passwords they used before. The best practice suggested by NIST(National Institute of Standards and Technology) is to change passwords in case of any threat.
- Privileged access management- Use PAM to secure secret user accounts that are more vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Privileged access management is a process of limiting and controlling the authorization level given to certain privileged accounts. It also ensures that people are only able to get in where necessary to perform their jobs.
