You can save many users by developing and implementing an effective password policy. As long as they follow your instructions, they are out of harm’s way to a large extent.
It isn’t such a tall order. Implementing a password policy is easy if you follow the procedures discussed in this article.
What Is a Password Policy?
A password policy is a set of rules designed to enhance computer security by encouraging users to create and implement stronger passwords. A part of an organization’s official rules, it’s often included in the security awareness training.
A password policy allows you to set a definite tone for how people create and use passwords on your web application. While you may not be able to control users’ activities 100%, it enables you to guide them for their own safety.
Why Is a Password Policy Important?
Cybersecurity is a buzzword in information technology. And that’s because cyber crimes are increasing by the day.
Passwords are essential in cybersecurity as they determine, to a large extent, whether an attacker can break into a system or not. So, having an effective password policy to safeguard your network is key.
There are significant benefits to having a well-designed password policy.
1. Prevent Data Breaches
Safeguarding your business’ data and customer details is paramount. Your failure to do so makes your network vulnerable to data breaches.
With just a tiny loophole, attackers can initiate a data breach that will leave you professionally, financially, and legally exhausted.
2. Maintain Order
A password policy is meant for everyone using your network, regardless of their status. The top-down hierarchy in most organizations doesn’t come to play here, and that creates a sense of orderliness.
External users of your network are also obliged to follow your policy. They drop whatever preconceived notions they have about password usage and adopt your policy.
3. Build Trust
Many online users are wary of entering their personal information on websites due to fear of cyber attacks. So, they get a sense of relief when they see a password policy on a website. It shows that the owners of the website take cybersecurity seriously.
Since everyone on the network is guided by the same password policy, users trust that their personal information is secured.
4. Cultivate Cybersecurity Culture
Implementing effective cybersecurity may seem daunting. But the most difficult part is taken care of if your team or users understands how to secure themselves.
Most cyberattacks happen due to the loopholes created by people. If the users of your network are informed about cyber threats and how to avoid them, there’ll be little or no room for attackers to penetrate.
What Are the Most Crucial Components of a Password Policy?
A password policy is meant to make your network safer. If it fails to achieve this, it’s a wasted effort.
Several components have to be in place to ensure that your policy is well-grounded. Let’s examine some of them.
1. Password Strength
Password strength refers to the nature of your password. The more complex your password is, the stronger it is.
A good password policy emphasizes creating a strong, hard-to-guess password. Encourage your users to make their passwords longer and unpredictable.
2. Password Expiry
Having an expiry date for passwords encourages users to change their passwords regularly.
Some users may accidentally expose their passwords to the wrong people. There could also be a data breach that exposes users’ passwords. Whatever the case may be, changing passwords regularly is an effective cybersecurity measure as it makes exposed passwords useless once changed.
3. Password History
Reusing old passwords is an antic that cybercriminals deploy in their attacks. To prevent this from happening, prevent users from reusing their old passwords on your web application.
Program your system to save previously used passwords in users’ password history and restrict them from reusing those passwords.
4. Password Change
Users should have the freedom to change their passwords at any time. However, put measures in place to ensure that a password change is being initiated by the owner, not an intruder.
Implementing two-factor authentication is a safe way to enable a password change. Come up with other ways for users to prove their authenticity before proceeding.
How to Create an Effective Password Policy
Don’t underestimate the power of a password policy. A user who has no clue about creating safe passwords will appreciate seeing instructions on how to go about it on your website. You might save from taking an action that could expose their data.
Here are some tips on how to create effective password policies.
1. Enforce Use of Strong Passwords
Attackers play a guessing game with passwords. They use a variety of techniques, including brute force to figure out users’ passwords.
Instead of using single words, use a combination of words and special characters. Even if hackers figure out the words, they may not be able to identify the characters.
Your passwords should have a minimum of 8-12 characters, with a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. It should be hard to guess. Even if someone saw you typing your password on a keyboard, they shouldn’t be able to follow what you are typing.
2. Inform Users to Adopt Unique Passwords
One of the biggest mistakes users make is using the same password for multiple accounts. If one of their accounts gets hacked, the rest are exposed too.
Encourage your visitors to adopt a unique password for every account or application. If they find it difficult to remember all their passwords, they can use a password manager to store them.
3. Implement Password Management Tools
Generating complex passwords isn’t as easy as it sounds. Remembering these passwords is a totally different ball game. Encourage your users to use a password manager for these purposes.
It’s important to ensure that your password management tool has a great reputation for security so your passwords will be secured.
4. Enforce Penalties for Breaches
If you want people to take your password policy seriously, you need to enforce penalties for defaulters.
Some users will always want to cut corners or do however they please, and it’s up to to to keep them in check. But the stronger the penalty, the more seriously your users will take your policy.
5. Be Proactive
Adopting a proactive cybersecurity measure puts you several steps ahead of cybercriminals. Sometimes, you have to think like a hacker to give them a run for their money. The idea is to foresee the possible moves they might make.
A good way to pull this off is to engage the services of a white hacker to hack your system. By doing this, they identify existing loopholes and other channels that cybercriminals could use.
6. Update Your Password Policy Regularly
Cybersecurity is continuously evolving. To be effective in protecting your network, you need to be up to date with the latest security trends so your password policy doesn’t become obsolete.
But at the same time, hackers are also developing their skills. So, you must regularly revisit your password policy to match their newly-developed techniques. Consider hiring a cybersecurity professional to help you with the review.
Be a Cybersecurity Gatekeeper
Security, or the absence of it, is a matter of information. Cybercriminals thrive on the ignorance of online users. If every online user knew how to secure themselves online, attackers would have to work overtime to make a successful attack.
As a network owner or administrator, you have a role to play in creative cybersecurity awareness by guiding your users on how to create and use passwords safely. An attack on your users is an attack on your network. You’ll also be protecting your interest by doing the needful.
