Password policies are guidelines and rules established by organizations to regulate the creation, management, and usage of passwords for accessing systems, applications, and accounts. These policies are designed to enhance security by setting standards for the complexity, length, and frequency of password changes, as well as defining requirements for password storage, sharing, and protection.
Password policies may include requirements such as using a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters, setting minimum and maximum password lengths, enforcing password expiration periods, and prohibiting the reuse of old passwords.
Organizations implement password policies to reduce the risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, and security incidents caused by weak or easily compromised passwords. By enforcing strong password practices, organizations can better protect their systems, data, and sensitive information from cyber threats.
