Rule: Ensure IAM Password Policy Minimum Length Requirement
This rule ensures that IAM password policy mandates a minimum length of 14 characters or greater.
| Rule | Ensure IAM password policy requires a minimum length of 14 or greater |
| Framework | NIST 800-53 Revision 5 |
| Severity | ✔ Critical |
Rule Description
The IAM password policy should be configured to enforce a minimum password length of 14 characters or greater, in compliance with the NIST 800-53 Revision 5 guidelines. This rule aims to enhance the security of user passwords by ensuring they meet a strong length requirement.
Troubleshooting Steps
In case the IAM password policy does not adhere to the minimum length requirement, you can follow these troubleshooting steps to rectify the issue:
- 1.
Verify Current IAM Password Policy: Check the current configuration of the IAM password policy to determine if it enforces a minimum length of 14 characters or greater. Use the AWS Management Console, AWS CLI, or AWS SDKs to access the IAM service.
- 2.
Review NIST 800-53 Revision 5 Requirements: Refer to the NIST 800-53 Revision 5 guidelines to understand the specific password requirements and verify if the current policy aligns with those regulations. Ensure the policy's minimum length setting is set to 14 or more characters.
- 3.
Update IAM Password Policy: If the current policy does not meet the requirements, update the policy to enforce a minimum length of 14 characters or greater. This ensures compliance with NIST 800-53 Revision 5 guidelines.
Code
Here is an example code snippet that can be used to update the IAM password policy:
aws iam update-account-password-policy --minimum-password-length 14Ensure to execute this code using the appropriate method such as AWS CLI, AWS SDKs, or AWS Management Console.
Step-by-Step Remediation Guide
To rectify a non-compliant IAM password policy and enforce a minimum password length of 14 characters or greater, follow these step-by-step instructions:
- 1.
Access the AWS Management Console: Go to the AWS Management Console and sign in using appropriate credentials.
- 2.
Navigate to IAM: In the AWS Management Console, search for "IAM" in the services search box and select "IAM" from the suggestions.
- 3.
Choose Account Settings: On the IAM dashboard, select "Account settings" from the left-hand sidebar.
- 4.
Modify Password Policy: In the account settings page, locate the "Password policy" section and click on "Edit".
- 5.
Set Minimum Password Length: In the password policy editor, locate the "Minimum password length" option and set it to a value of "14" or greater.
- 6.
Save the Changes: Ensure the updated policy matches the desired requirements and click on "Save changes" to apply the modified password policy.
- 7.
Verification: Validate that the updated IAM password policy now enforces a minimum length of 14 characters or greater.
By following these remediation steps, the IAM password policy will be configured to comply with NIST 800-53 Revision 5 guidelines, enhancing password security within the AWS environment.