Impact of restrictive composition policy on user password choices

Abstract

This study investigates the efficacy of using a restrictive password composition policy. The primary function of access controls is to restrict the use of information systems and other computer resources to authorised users only. Although more secure alternatives exist, password-based systems remain the predominant method of user authentication. Prior research shows that password security is often compromised by users who adopt inadequate password composition and management practices. One particularly under-researched area is whether restrictive password composition policies actually change user behaviours in significant ways. The results of this study show that a password composition policy reduces the similarity of passwords to dictionary words. However, in this case the regime did not reduce the use of meaningful information in passwords such as names and birth dates, nor did it reduce password recycling.

Keywords:

• password authentication
• password composition policy
• computer security