A Uniform Desktop Is a Secure Desktop - Password Policy
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The Office of Management and Budget has mandated that, starting Feb. 1, all federal agencies using Windows XP and Vista must adopt the standard security configurations developed by NIST, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security as part of the Federal Desktop Core Configuration. But the FDCC also provides a good framework for ensuring secure civilian desktop and laptop configurations.
By Cameron Sturdevant
The FDCC requires passwords to change every 60 days and have a minimum length of 12 characters, among other characteristics.
Cameron Sturdevant has been with the Labs since 1997, and before that paid his IT management dues at a software publishing firm working with several Fortune 100 companies. Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility, with a focus on Android in the enterprise. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his reviews and analysis are grounded in real-world concern. Cameron is a regular speaker at Ziff-Davis Enterprise online and face-to-face events. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at csturdevant@eweek.com.
