Password policy best practices define the organizational standards for credential creation, management, and lifecycle that balance security effectiveness with user experience. Modern password guidance has shifted significantly from legacy approaches, with NIST SP 800-63B recommending longer passphrases over complex character requirements, eliminating forced periodic rotation, and mandating multi-factor authentication as the primary defense rather than relying on password complexity alone.
Current best practices mandate minimum password lengths of 12 to 16 characters with no maximum length restrictions. Complexity requirements are simplified to encourage passphrases rather than forcing special characters that lead to predictable substitution patterns. Passwords are checked against breach databases and common password lists at creation time. Forced rotation is eliminated except when compromise is suspected. Password managers are encouraged and organizationally provisioned. Multi-factor authentication is required for all accounts with elevated privileges and recommended for all users. Account lockout policies prevent brute-force attacks while avoiding denial-of-service through lockout abuse.
Credential compromise remains the leading initial access vector in data breaches. Legacy password policies that force complex, frequently rotated passwords paradoxically reduce security by encouraging predictable patterns and password reuse. Organizations that align with current NIST guidance improve both security outcomes and user satisfaction. Compliance frameworks are increasingly adopting NIST SP 800-63B recommendations, making modern password practices both a security and regulatory imperative.
CDA addresses password policy through the IAT domain, emphasizing identity-first security that treats passwords as one factor in a broader authentication strategy. Theater missions progress from implementing modern password standards in C-BUILD to deploying passwordless authentication in C-HARDEN, reflecting the industry trajectory toward eliminating passwords entirely.