# Password Guideline

## Format

Passwords protect confidential company data, as well as customer and supplier data. The length and the combination of different character types (i.e. lower case letters, upper case letters, numerics and special characters) can have a significant impact on the strength of a password. For this reason the IT department should configure the password settings if possible in such a way that the following format must be used:

* At least 8 character length
* At least one upper case letter
* At least one lower case letter
* At least one special character

## Change interval

Additionally, if it is possible to define a password change interval it should be set to once a year. This way passwords don't become stale and in case of a password leak get rotated out. Shorter password change intervals could lead to friction for the employees resulting in a security fatigue. 

## Server protection

For direct server access ssh keys must be used instead of passwords. In addition, these ssh keys should be password protected according to the above mentioned format specifications. If possible second factor authentication should be enabled for direct server access. This second factor authentication should be bound to the owner of the ssh key (i.e. SMS authentication, app authentication, ...)

Sometimes it becomes necessary for third party partners to access the servers (i.e. maintenance or support), in such a case second factor authentication is mandatory. The second factor authentication for third parties must be configured in such a way that only the head of IT can approve the access.


2022-01-01 - Version 1.0

