Question:

What methods are available to a Google Apps Domain Administrator for implementing and managing password policies?

Answer:

To ensure the security of user accounts, you can require users to create strong passwords. Google provides a password strength-rating algorithm that checks for high entropy, uniqueness, and complexity.

Password Expiration Policies:

You can set passwords to expire after a certain number of days to comply with your organization’s security policies. This feature is primarily enforced for browser-based application sign-ins.

Monitoring Password Strength:

Google Workspace allows you to monitor the strength of your users’ passwords, helping you identify and prompt users with weak passwords to change them.

Preventing Password Reuse:

To prevent security risks associated with the reuse of old passwords, you can configure settings that prevent users from setting previously used passwords.

Customizing Policies for Organizational Units (OUs):

You have the flexibility to apply different password policies to different OUs within your domain. This means you can enforce stricter policies for certain groups or relax them for others, depending on your organizational needs.

2-Step Verification:

For added security, you can enforce 2-Step Verification for your users. This adds an extra layer of protection as users will need to provide a second form of identification beyond just the password.

Admin Console Settings:

Through the Admin Console, you can access and modify various password-related settings, such as requiring a password for the Google Admin app every time it’s used.

Delegated Administration:

If you have a large organization, you can delegate certain administrative tasks, such as managing password policies, to other users with custom admin roles.

By utilizing these methods, you can significantly enhance the security posture of your Google Apps domain and protect your organization’s data.

For more detailed instructions and best practices, you can refer to Google’s official support and knowledge center articles.