Having considered the 2010 legal case about passwords together with the
various discussions and blogs about the regulations requiring password
disclosure, it became apparent that a legal expectation exists for
people to record their passwords in case they forget them enabling them
to fulfil an obligation to disclose if required by properly authorized
legal authority.
The above comment is made in full knowledge of all
the security guidance and common sense practices which determine that
security is compromised where passwords are recorded.
The phrase
'legal expectation' is used above as a considered outcome of the
writings by various legal people in blogs and elsewhere as an
expectation does form an inherent part of _all_ the comments read, even
where the views expressed were supportive of cases where people have
forgotten passwords. And such viewpoints do fit appropriately within a
worldview of required proof rather than requiring to prove, a subtle
but significant area of continuing change. (Organisationally its easier
have proof provided than to have to prove something.)
It would hence
seem useful to find out if organisations have processes of requiring
their employees to record their passwords in a safe location as part of
their security policies and conducting a straw poll of this list on
that question would provide valuable information in this area.
Equally
as useful would be sustainable arguments on why recording passwords to
fulfil a potential legal obligation is not being done. (i.e. the chosen
security mechanism is weak enough to break if required; or passwords
are not encrypted/are available to security personnel.)
On a lighter
note the cartoon strip on passwords at http://xkcd.com/792/is rather
amusing.
If contributors feel more comfortable responses off-list will
be welcomed, and I will provide an anonymised summary to the list.
Ian
W
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