Page 10 - November Newsletter

Doug’s Pointer

Doug, our IT Training Specialist, creates easy to navigate
SharePoint Trainings on various topics. All trainings can be found

on the SharePoint Training site.

New Password Requirements

Why is the City changing the password reset duration?
After meeting with the City of Post Falls IT Security consultants, it was recommended that the City update its
password policies – which include how often passwords will be updated. New requirements will force
password changes every 90 days, no reuse of old passwords, and a minimum password length.

This will be required of all employees with an initial forced change for everyone. City employees will get an
email notification before this happens.

You may change your password anytime. Press CTRL-ALT-DELETE and select Change a Password.

I believe my current City of Post Falls password is secure enough. How can I test it?
See how long it could take a motivated hacker or software to crack your password. Any passwords you
submit aren't stored and you won't be submitting any personal or account information. Review the character
count and use of upper/lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols. Make sure the Show Password
checkbox is unchecked if someone else can see the password you are testing. If your password fails or is
listed as weak, try adding meaningful numbers, spaces, or special characters until it shows Very Strong.

Click the link below to test your password.
Password Strength Meter (passwordmonster.com)

Why do we need complex passwords?
A strong password policy is the City’s first line of defense against hackers,
data breaches, and ransomware.
Password policies help prevent the compromise of user and administrative
accounts by unauthorized users who use manual methods or automated
tools to guess weak passwords. Password policies help prevent insider
threats by encouraging users to keep their passwords secure, updated at
regular intervals, and to limit sharing with others. Insider threats can be just
as damaging as external threats, and password policies help minimize the
risk of these threats. 96% of the most common passwords can be cracked in
less than one second, so your best protection is creating a memorable but
complex password that you don't share, write down, or record electronically.