Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives
Re: Password Security
From: Wyman Miles <wm63 () CORNELL EDU>
Date: Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:06:35 -0400
Normally, I'd agree that you're trying to defeat an Internet-based threat but this seems a different matter. Benefits information and payroll? These are classic targets for the insider threat. Failing marriages, disgruntled employees, people who feel slighted by their compensation, etc, lead to scenarios where someone would take advantage of this easy access. In short, I guess it's just like any other password. We expect you to know it and take whatever steps are reasonable to make sure no one else does. --On Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:58 PM -0400 Gary Dobbins <dobbins () ND EDU> wrote:
The legendary advice "never write passwords down" originated from the days when officemates were among the major threats, 3270 terminals were new, and post-it notes soon became the classic example of that threat vector. Now that the Internet is the usual vector for password attack, IMO having a stronger password is very important, even if they have to keep a copy in their wallet (or somewhere reasonably safe) because it's not memorable. The risk here depends on the value of the asset being protected by that password, and whether these people are likely to choose bad (but memorable) passwords if they are prohibited from writing them down. Let's presume the asset is not of unusual value. If it were, it may be too permissive to let them write passwords. If the asset is not unusual, I would ensure that the passwords are strong, then let them keep them in their wallet, especially if they're infrequent users. You'll save everyone "lost password" headaches, and fewer of their accounts will end up in the hands of hostile-persons across the net.-----Original Message----- From: Mclaughlin, Kevin (mclaugkl) [mailto:mclaugkl () UCMAIL UC EDU] Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:43 PM To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU Subject: [SECURITY] Password Security Hi All: I am currently fighting an internal battle and wanted to do a sanity check to see if I am being too stubborn with my stance. Scenario: I have a department that wants to give their employees information on business sized cards. There is a slot on the card for people to write down their passwords to their payroll and annual benefits account. The idea is for the less computer literate staff to be able to keep these handy (in their wallets or purses let's say) so that they can refer to them as needed. For years we have been teaching people to not write their passwords down and while some people may do this on their own I feel that by telling them to do something that is so "anti-best practice" we are increasing our overall liability if any of these accounts are breached. Btw - I have discussed many alternative approaches with the department - none of which they are interested in hearing. Thoughts? (can be directed to me personally vs. the listserve if you prefer) -Kevin Kevin L. McLaughlin CISM, CISSP, PMP, ITIL Master Certified Director, Information Security University of Cincinnati 513-556-9177 (w) 513-703-3211 (m) 513-558-ISEC (department) CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message and its content is confidential, intended solely for the addressee, and may be legally privileged. Access to this message and its content by any individual or entity other than those identified in this message is unauthorized. If you are not the intended recipient, any disclosure, copying or distribution of this e-mail may be unlawful. Any action taken or omitted due to the content of this message is prohibited and may be unlawful.
Wyman Miles Senior Security Engineer Cornell University, Ithaca, NY (607) 255-8421
Current thread:
- Password Security Mclaughlin, Kevin (mclaugkl) (Oct 23)
- <Possible follow-ups>
- Re: Password Security Samuel Young (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Gary Dobbins (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Wyman Miles (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Sarah Stevens (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Gene Spafford (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Vicky Walker (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Roger Safian (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Mclaughlin, Kevin (mclaugkl) (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Logan, Kimberly (loganks) (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Steven Alexander (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Jim Dillon (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Doug Markiewicz (Oct 23)
- Re: Password Security Jim Dillon (Oct 23)
(Thread continues...)