While both "password age" and "password expiration" relate to the lifespan of a password, they represent different aspects of password security:
Password Age
- Definition: This refers to the time elapsed since a password was last changed.
- Purpose: It helps track how long a password has been in use, allowing for better risk assessment. Older passwords are more likely to be compromised due to data breaches, password reuse, or brute-force attacks.
- Example: If a password was last changed 6 months ago, its age is 6 months.
Password Expiration
- Definition: This refers to the pre-defined time limit after which a password automatically becomes invalid and requires a change.
- Purpose: It enforces regular password updates, promoting better security practices. This helps reduce the risk of compromised passwords being used for extended periods.
- Example: If a password expires after 90 days, it will automatically become inactive after 90 days from the last change.
Key Differences
- Focus: Password age focuses on how long a password has been in use, while password expiration focuses on when a password becomes invalid.
- Action: Password age doesn't automatically force a change, while password expiration triggers a mandatory password change.
- Implementation: Password age is a metric used for analysis and risk assessment, while password expiration is a policy enforced by systems.
Practical Insights
- Organizations often use both password age and expiration to enhance security.
- Password age can be used to trigger password change recommendations based on risk levels.
- Password expiration policies can be customized based on sensitivity levels and security requirements.
