{"id":41575,"date":"2020-05-25T18:03:09","date_gmt":"2020-05-25T17:03:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.n-able.com\/?p=41575"},"modified":"2023-03-22T08:51:52","modified_gmt":"2023-03-22T08:51:52","slug":"secure-and-manage-active-directory-passwords","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.n-able.com\/fr\/blog\/secure-and-manage-active-directory-passwords","title":{"rendered":"Top Tips to Secure and Manage Active Directory Passwords"},"content":{"rendered":"

Active Directory<\/a><\/span>\u00a0(AD) is Microsoft\u2019s directory server. Active Directory software connects network components, workstations, servers, and users into a unified entity. Effectively managing and maintaining your Active Directory\u2019s security is crucial to preventing data theft and cyberattacks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Active Directory password management plays a key part in maintaining overall AD security. For managed services providers (MSPs), applying AD password best practices can go a long way in improving the client services you provide. Protecting sensitive data is especially important for MSPs, as they may be held liable if client data is put at risk or compromised. This article will give you tips on how to configure Active Directory passwords to help keep sensitive information secure.<\/span><\/p>\n

Password complexity requirements in Active Directory\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Active Directory password policies<\/a><\/span>\u00a0are at the heart of an organization\u2019s cybersecurity strategy. Every single connected device is a potential entry point into your environment, which is why protecting your endpoints with strong passwords is a crucial line of defense. Active Directory lets you enforce set standards for passwords used by team members, requiring them to follow certain policies when they create a password.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Unfortunately, gaining control over password policies isn\u2019t always easy for IT security professionals and administrators. Setting default safeguards\u2014like requiring passwords to meet complexity or\u00a0<\/span>compliance requirements<\/span>\u2014might be simple, but going beyond the default options available to you can be difficult. MSPs need to continually ask themselves what the best practices are for Active Directory password policies and what level of password complexity is appropriate to best protect both MSP and client data.<\/span><\/p>\n

Passwords that lack complexity are often referred to as \u201cweak\u201d passwords. Weak passwords make it easier for a hacker to infiltrate your system and conduct a successful cyberattack. A common default password complexity requirement is for passwords to be at least eight characters in length. An eight-character password is stronger than a four character password.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s important that password complexity requirements strike a careful balance. They should be complex enough to ward off cybercriminals, but not so complex they cause users frustration and result in an influx of\u00a0support tickets<\/span><\/a>. It\u2019s best practice to employ specific password complexity requirements and educate users on why these requirements are for their benefit. If the Active Directory default settings are not stringent enough for your needs, then make sure to replace the policy instead of disabling it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Active Directory default password policies<\/span><\/h2>\n

Since the release of Windows 2000, the default password complexity requirements for Active Directory have been as follows:\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n