Best Practices for Changing Passwords

B.

Passwords can be compromised and must be protected.

In the ideal case, a password should only be used once.

The changing of passwords can also fall between these two extremes.

Passwords can be required to change monthly, quarterly, or at other intervals, depending on the criticality of the information needing protection and the password's frequency of use.

Obviously, the more times a password is used, the more chance there is of it being compromised.

Source: KRUTZ, Ronald L.

& VINES, Russel.

D., The CISSP Prep Guide: Mastering the Ten Domains of Computer Security, 2001, John Wiley & Sons, Page 36 & 37.

Passwords are an essential aspect of any security system as they help to restrict access to sensitive information or systems. However, passwords are vulnerable to hacking and cracking attempts, which can compromise the security of the system. To mitigate this risk, password policies are implemented, which typically include requirements for password complexity, length, and frequency of change.

Regarding the frequency of password changes, the answer to this question is "B. depending on the criticality of the information needing protection and the password's frequency of use."

Password change frequency is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and the appropriate interval for changing passwords depends on several factors. These factors include the criticality of the information that the password is protecting and the frequency of password use. For example, passwords that protect highly sensitive information such as financial data or personal information should be changed more frequently than passwords that protect less sensitive information.

Similarly, passwords that are used frequently, such as those for accessing email or a customer database, should be changed more frequently than passwords that are used less frequently, such as those for accessing an online library. Frequent password changes help to limit the time that a compromised password can be used to gain unauthorized access to the system.

In conclusion, the appropriate frequency of password changes should be determined based on the criticality of the information needing protection and the password's frequency of use. This will help to ensure that passwords remain secure and effective in protecting the system.