Strong passwords are still the first line of defence against hacking and data leaks.
Even with the rise of passwordless authentication, most organisations continue to rely on passwords as the primary authentication mechanism.
That’s why it’s crucial to know how to create and rigorously enforce effective password policies.
Why Strong Passwords Still Matter
Strong passwords prevent unauthorised access to systems, applications, and corporate data.
They protect against brute-force, credential-stuffing, phishing, and stolen-credential attacks.
A single weak password can give an attacker the keys to your entire infrastructure.
Characteristics of a Strong Password
A good password must be:
- at least 12 characters long (16–20 is even better),
- contain upper- and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters,
- unique for every account,
- unrelated to personal information (name, date of birth, etc.).
Tip: Recommend password managers to employees — they make creating and remembering complex passwords effortless.
Building an Effective Password Policy
Every organisation should have a clear, written password policy that defines:
- Minimum length (e.g., 12–16 characters)
- Complexity requirements (mixed character types)
- Uniqueness – prohibit password reuse across systems
- Regular rotation (forced change every 60–90 days (or risk-based)
The policy should align with NIST SP 800-63B and ISO/IEC 27002:2022 guidelines.
Enforcing the Password Policy
A policy is only as good as its enforcement:
- System-level enforcement when creating or changing passwords
- Regular compliance monitoring and security audits
- Account lockout after several failed attempts
- Real-time alerts for policy violations
Employee Education – The Human Factor
People remain the weakest link.
An effective password policy therefore includes a strong training component:
- Regular workshops on creating strong passwords
- Periodic reminder campaigns
- Fast IT support for lost or locked passwords
Recommended Tools & Controls
- Password managers – generate and store strong passwords (Bitwarden, 1Password, KeePass, etc.)
- Automated rotation for service accounts
- Multi-factor authentication (MFA/2FA) – adds a critical extra layer
Combining strong passwords with MFA dramatically reduces successful breach risk.
Real-World Best-Practice Examples
- Microsoft – continuously raises length/complexity requirements
- Google – mandates MFA for all administrative accounts
- Financial institutions – enforce complex policies + regular forced rotation
Benefits of a Strong Password Policy
- Heightened protection against unauthorised access
- Significantly lower risk of data breaches
- Increased employee security awareness and culture
A well-designed password policy is not just a technical control — it’s a cornerstone of organisational security culture.
Get in Touch
Need help designing, implementing, or enforcing a modern password policy? Want to train your team?
Email: biuro@wichran.pl
Phone: +48 515 601 621
Author: Piotr Wichrań – Court-appointed IT forensic expert, IT/OT cybersecurity specialist, licensed private investigator
@Informatyka.Sledcza*