Password Complexity

Password Complexity refers to the degree of sophistication and difficulty of guessing or cracking a password. A complex password is challenging for attackers to guess or crack through brute-force or dictionary attacks.

What Does a Complex Password Look Like?

• Length: Longer passwords are generally more complex and resistant to attacks. Passwords with a minimum length requirement are often considered more secure.
• Character Variety: Complex passwords include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols (e.g., !, @, #).
• No Dictionary Words: Passwords that do not consist of common dictionary words or phrases are considered more complex.
• Unpredictability: Complex passwords are not easily guessable, even by individuals who know the user well.
• No Patters: Passwords should avoid patterns like “12345” or “password.”
• Randomness: Randomly generated passwords are often more complex than those created by users, as they lack patterns or personal associations.
• Never Resused: Reusing passwords across multiple accounts reduces complexity. Each account should have a unique, complex password.

The Role of Password Complexity Policies

Organizations often enforce password complexity policies to ensure that users create and maintain strong, complex passwords. These policies help protect sensitive data and systems from unauthorized access.