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WN11-AC-000040 The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled.

DISA STIG library V2R11
All changes in this version
first version loaded CAT II

Maps to IA-5(1) via CCI-004066, CCI-000192

Title

The built-in Microsoft password complexity filter must be enabled.

Control

Verify the effective setting in Local Group Policy Editor. Run "gpedit.msc". Navigate to Local Computer Policy >> Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy. If the value for "Password must meet complexity requirements" is not set to "Enabled", this is a finding. If the site is using a password filter that requires this setting be set to "Disabled" for the filter to be used, this would not be considered a finding.

Discussion

The use of complex passwords increases their strength against guessing and brute-force attacks. This setting configures the system to verify that newly created passwords conform to the Windows password complexity policy.

Related controls

CCI-000192, CCI-004066

Fix

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Account Policies >> Password Policy >> "Password must meet complexity requirements" to "Enabled".