IT Project Management

PASSWORD STANDARD - HOW TO KEEP PASSWORD SECURE

Password configuration is appropriately managed to safeguard against unauthorized modifications to programs and data that result in incomplete, inaccurate, or invalid processing or recording of financial information. Using a strong password helps keep both your own sensitive personal information

 

CREATE STRONG PASSWORD

1. At least 12 characters, the more characters, the better 

2. A mixture of both uppercase and lowercase letters

3. A mixture of letters and numbers

4. Inclusion of at least one special character, @ # ? - _ ]

 

DON’T CREATE WEAK PASSWORDS

1. Any word that can be found in a dictionary, in any language (for example; postpone or postpono).

2. A dictionary word with some letters simply replaced by numbers (for example; p0stp0n3 or   p0stp0n0).

3. A repeated character or a series of characters (for example; CCCCC or 1234).

4. A keyboard series of characters (for example; qwerty or asdf).

5. Personal information (e.g., birthdays, names of pets or friends, Social Security number, addresses).

HOW TO KEEP YOUR PASSWORD SECURE

1. Change it regularly, once every 3 to 6 months.

2. Change it if you have the slightest suspicion that the password has become known by a human or a machine.

3. Avoid typing it on computers that you do not trust; for example, in an Internet café.

4. Never save it for a web form on a computer that you do not control or that is used by more than one person.

5. Never tell it to anyone.

6. Never write it down.

Additionally, your password may not include:

1. Date of your birthday, your email, part of your name, part of your address, birthplace.

2. Common words or abbreviations/acronyms of 5 or more letters unless your password is more than 20 characters long (in which case you can use words).

3. Number sequences of 5 or more numbers.

4. Character repeated 2 or more times.

 

Remember, if you ever feel that your password may have been compromised, it's important to change it as soon as possible.

 

Source :

https://www.muhlenberg.edu/offices/oit/about/policies_procedures/strong-passwords.html

https://reference.iam.harvard.edu/faq/what-are-password-requirements-and-why-are-they-important