Password imperfect

TalkBack 32 of 34:

Next »

« Previous

• Thread View
• Flat View

Passwords are broken, but you can't make them better with duct tape

The number one problem with passwords is that organizations spend so little time educating users on good password selection. This is in part because organizations aren't spending much time educating themselves on how to teach people good password practices. They just repeat the same advice they've been giving for 30 years and wonder why it doesn't work.

Once people are choosing good passwords they can work on providing people with tools and advice that make using passwords easier. If you require people to use 10 different passwords you better provide them with secure password management software or alternative. If you lock them out after 3 bad login attempts you better provide them with quick way to reset their password. If you tell them not to share their password you must make sure your normal business procedures don't require them to disregard the policy.

Alternatives to passwords can be great, but they aren't perfect -- nor expected to be perfect. I identified five characteristics that can be used to compare and contrast authenticators. If you want to learn more about them check out this link: http://www.passwordresearch.com/core.html

Bruce K. Marshall
Password Research Institute

Posted by: bkml@...   Posted on: 12/14/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

• Finally, an easier way for Small and Mid-Sized Companies to Run Their Business Applications: IBM Smart Business IBM From the PC to the Internet to every piece of hardware and software in ... Download Now
• The True Costs of Virtual Server Solutions VMware In an economic environment that is repeatedly heralding the message "do ... Download Now
• Key Strategies for Federal Agencies - Safe and Cost Effective Migration for Legacy Hardware GovConnection The federal government has mandated that federal agencies reduce energy ... Download Now