If you’ve spent any time in a corporate setting, you’re likely familiar with the dreaded
“Your password will expire in 7 days” prompt. For years, forced password rotations
—requiring users to change their passwords on a set schedule—were considered a gold standard for security.
However, modern research and guidelines paint a different picture, suggesting that
frequently forcing password changes can actually do more harm than good.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why the tide has turned on mandatory password rotations, what the
latest recommendations are, and how you can implement best practices to keep accounts and data safe.
Why Forced Rotation Fell Out of Favor
Requiring users to change their passwords every 60 or 90 days may seem like a strict security measure,
but over time, it has shown some significant drawbacks:
- Predictable Patterns: When a password expires, many users will make the smallest
possible modification to their old password—perhaps changing just one character or adding a new digit
at the end. This practice makes passwords more predictable over time. - Poor Password Hygiene: Forced changes can lead users to store passwords on sticky
notes or in unsecure files, as they struggle to keep track of constantly changing credentials. - False Sense of Security: The mere act of rotating a password does not necessarily
make it more secure. If the password is weak to begin with, changing a single character doesn’t
fundamentally strengthen it.
What Do the Experts Say?
The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been a leader
in publishing modern, evidence-based password guidelines. According to
NIST SP 800-63B:
- Avoid Mandatory Periodic Changes: Instead of forcing users to change passwords
every few months, only require a reset when there’s evidence or suspicion that a password has been
compromised. - Use Longer Passphrases: NIST recommends prioritizing password length
(such as 12–14 characters) over the use of arbitrary complexity rules
(e.g., special symbols and upper-case letters). - Block Known Compromised Passwords: If a user picks a password found on a list
of hacked or leaked credentials, the system should reject it.
Should You Force Password Changes Over Time?
In short: No—unless you suspect or know of a compromise. If there’s concrete evidence
that a password has been stolen, breached, or used in unauthorized ways, that’s the time to force a reset.
Otherwise, the best approach is to let users maintain a strong, unique passphrase that they can remember
and store securely.
This shift avoids predictable password patterns and minimizes user frustration. If passwords are
long, unique, and properly secured, and if additional measures like
multi-factor authentication (MFA) are in place, then frequent mandatory rotations
often provide little added benefit—and may even weaken security by encouraging poor habits.
Modern Best Practices
- Implement Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Pair passwords with a second verification
method, such as an authenticator app or hardware token, to drastically reduce risk. - Encourage Password Manager Use: Tools like 1Password, LastPass, or Dashlane help users
store strong, unique passwords easily. - Educate Users: Provide simple guidelines on creating memorable passphrases,
recognizing phishing attempts, and the importance of not reusing passwords. - Monitor for Suspicious Activity: Keep an eye on logs for unusual login attempts or
password resets. If something looks off, force a password change or require additional verification. - Comply with Industry Regulations: Some industries still mandate periodic password
rotations. Be sure to integrate compliance requirements into your policy while following modern
best practices wherever possible.
Summary
The notion that frequent, mandatory password rotations improve security is largely
outdated. Modern standards and real-world evidence show these policies can inadvertently
lead to weaker passwords and frustrated users. Instead, focus on:
Long, unique passphrases, monitoring for anomalies, multifactor authentication,
and only requiring password changes when there’s a credible risk or evidence of compromise. By following
these recommendations, you’ll improve security without burdening your team with unnecessary resets.