How can you audit your password system for maximum effectiveness?

1 Review your password policy

Your password policy should define the minimum requirements and best practices for creating and changing passwords, such as length, complexity, expiration, and reuse. It should also specify the roles and responsibilities of users, administrators, and auditors. You should review your password policy regularly and update it according to the latest standards and threats. For example, you can use the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) guidelines as a reference.

3 Educate your users

Your users are the first line of defense for your password system, so you should educate them on the importance and benefits of password security. You should provide them with clear and consistent guidance on how to create and manage their passwords, as well as how to avoid common pitfalls and risks, such as phishing, social engineering, or credential stuffing. You should also encourage them to use password managers, multifactor authentication, or single sign-on whenever possible.

4 Monitor your password activity

Your password activity is a valuable source of information and insight for your password system. You should monitor and log your password activity, such as creation, change, reset, or authentication events, and analyze them for any anomalies or patterns. You should also set up alerts and notifications for any suspicious or unusual password activity, such as failed login attempts, account lockouts, or password resets. You should investigate and respond to any password incidents promptly and appropriately.

5 Implement password feedback

Password feedback is a mechanism that provides your users with immediate and constructive feedback on their password choices and actions. You can use password feedback to reinforce your password policy, improve your user experience, and reduce your password errors. For example, you can use password meters, validators, or hints to help your users create and enter their passwords correctly and securely. You can also use password feedback to measure and improve your password system performance and user satisfaction.

6 Benchmark your password system

Benchmarking your password system is a way of comparing and evaluating your password system against industry standards, best practices, or peer organizations. You can use benchmarking to identify your password system strengths and weaknesses, as well as to set and track your password system goals and objectives. You can use various metrics and indicators to benchmark your password system, such as password quality, compliance, usability, or security.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?