It’s 8:45 AM. You’re ready to start your workday, coffee in hand, tasks planned out—when that dreaded notification pops up: "Time to reset your password." The sigh of frustration escapes you. Why now? You try a new password, only for it to be rejected by the system. It’s a cycle we’ve all experienced, and it’s not just frustrating for users; IT teams share the burden with constant support tickets for forgotten or rejected passwords.
But what if this whole password expiration thing could just… disappear?
The need to constantly reset passwords has become almost second nature to us, but it begs the question: Why do we even need password expirations in the first place? Do they really make us safer, or are they just another IT headache?
Let’s dive into the real reasons behind password policies and how shifting our approach might reduce frustration without compromising security.
The Origin of Password Expiry
The 90-day password reset policy. It’s not just some arbitrary IT rule. It comes from a time when brute-force attacks—the technique of guessing passwords by running potential combinations—posed a significant threat. Organizations store your passwords as encrypted "hashes," and attackers would try to crack them by matching these hashes with potential passwords.
In the past, it could take months to crack a password, so resetting them every 90 days seemed like a smart move. But technology has evolved, and so have hackers. They can now crack even complex passwords much faster, leading many to rethink the traditional reset schedule.
However, despite advancements in cybersecurity, the 90-day expiration remains a requirement in several industry compliance standards.
Why Some Companies Are Ditching Expirations
Here’s the catch: regular password changes might actually be making your organization more vulnerable. How? People are predictable. If you’ve ever changed "Password123!" to"Password1234!", you’re not alone. Reusing or slightly altering old passwords is a common, yet risky, habit.
Some organizations, recognizing the weakness in human behavior, are moving toward "never expire" password policies. By encouraging users to create one super-strong password and letting them keep it indefinitely, they aim to reduce password reset-related calls to the IT help desk. According to reports, password resets account for 20-50% of all help desk calls, with each reset costing around $70(112,000Naira). That’s a lot of time and money wasted on forgotten passwords.
The Risks of 'Never Expire' Passwords
It sounds tempting, right? A single strong password that never needs to change. But this approach has its risks. Even the strongest password is still vulnerable to phishing attacks or breaches. Just because a password is complex doesn’t mean it’s safe if it falls into the wrong hands.
So, your employee creates a password strong enough to withstand a brute-force attack. But then they reuse that same password on their Facebook, Netflix, or online shopping accounts. The risk of that password getting compromised skyrockets, even if your internal security is tight.
A survey found that while 91% of users understood the risks of password reuse, 59% did it anyway. It’s a bad habit that can be hard to break, and "never expire" policies can provide a false sense of security.
Additionally, if an attacker gains access to a "never expire" password, they could exploit it for months before anyone notices. Research shows that it takes an average of 207 days to detect a data breach. That’s nearly seven months of potential damage.
How to Strike a Balance
So, where does this leave us? The solution is a comprehensive password strategy that doesn’t just rely on expiration dates. It’s about stronger, smarter password creation and detection. Encourage users to create long, memorable passphrases—at least 15 characters—to defend against brute-force attacks. And consider using length-based password aging, where longer, more complex passwords last longer before needing a reset.
Of course, even the best passwords can be compromised. That’s why organizations need systems in place to detect when credentials have been breached. Regular security monitoring and real-time alerts for suspicious activity can help mitigate risks before they spiral out of control.
Your Move
Resetting passwords may be annoying, but the real challenge is finding the right balance between security and convenience. Do away with unnecessary resets, but don’t abandon best practices. Empower your employees with the knowledge to create strong passwords and provide the tools to keep them secure. After all, it’s not just about protecting data—it’s about protecting your business.
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