IAM Password Policies Rule

IAM Password Policies for Users

Password Configuration Guidelines

2. 1.

   Minimum Password Length: Set a minimum password length of at least 12 characters. Longer passwords are generally more secure.

4. 2.

   Password Complexity: Require passwords to contain a combination of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. This helps increase the complexity and strength of passwords.

6. 3.

   Password Expiration: Enforce regular password changes to mitigate the risk of compromised passwords. Set a maximum password age, such as 90 days, after which users will be prompted to change their passwords.

8. 4.

   Prevent Password Re-use: Prohibit users from reusing their previous passwords for a specified number of iterations. This prevents users from cycling through a set of known passwords.

10. 5.

    Password Warning Period: Implement a password warning period to alert users before their passwords expire. This allows users to prepare for the password change without unexpectedly being locked out of their accounts.

12. 6.

    Account Lockout: Set up an account lockout policy to restrict access if users exceed a certain number of failed login attempts within a specified time period. This helps protect against brute force attacks.

14. 7.

    Password History: Maintain a password history to prevent users from repeatedly changing their passwords to bypass password reuse restrictions. This prevents users from using the same passwords they have used in the recent past.

Troubleshooting Steps (if applicable)

2. 1.

   Invalid Password: If users receive an error message stating their password does not meet the policy requirements, they should ensure that their new password adheres to the guidelines mentioned above.

4. 2.

   Password Expired: If users are prompted to change their password upon login due to password expiration, they should follow the on-screen instructions to set a new password. If they require assistance, they should contact the IT support team.

6. 3.

   Account Lockout: If users are unable to access their accounts due to being locked out, they should wait for the lockout period to expire, or contact the IT support team for assistance in unlocking their account.

Necessary Codes (if applicable)

aws iam update-account-password-policy --minimum-password-length 12 --require-uppercase-characters --require-lowercase-characters --require-symbols --require-numbers --max-password-age 90 --password-reuse-prevention 5 --password-reuse-prevention 30 --password-warning-days 7 --hard-expiry

Step-by-Step Guide for Remediation

2. 1.

   Open AWS Management Console: Sign in to the AWS Management Console using your administrator credentials.

4. 2.

   Open IAM Service: Navigate to the IAM service by searching for "IAM" in the AWS Management Console search bar and selecting "IAM" under "Services".

6. 3.

   Access Password Policies: In the left-hand navigation menu of the IAM dashboard, click on "Account settings" and then select the "Password policy" tab.

8. 4.

   Configure Password Policies: Update the following options in the password policy configuration page:

   • Set the "Minimum password length" to 12.
   • Check the boxes next to "Require at least one uppercase letter", "Require at least one lowercase letter", "Require at least one symbol", and "Require at least one number" to enforce password complexity.
   • Set the "Max password age" to 90 or a desired value.
   • Set the "Password reuse prevention" to the desired number of iterations.
   • Set the "Password warning days" to 7 or a desired value.
   • Check the box next to "Hard expiry" to enforce password expiration.
10. 5.

    Save Changes: Click on the "Apply password policy" button to save the changes.

12. 6.

    Test Policy: Test the policy by creating a new IAM user or modifying the password of an existing user. Ensure that the configured password policies are enforced correctly.