STIGhubSTIGhub
STIGsSearchCompare

STIGhub

A free tool to search and browse the entire DISA STIG library. Saves up to 75% in security compliance research time.

Navigation

  • Browse STIGs
  • Search
  • Compare Versions

Resources

  • About
  • Release Notes
  • VPAT
  • DISA STIG Library
STIGs updated 5 hours ago
Powered by Pylon
© 2026 Beacon Cloud Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.
← Back to Network Device Management Security Requirements Guide

V-264301

CAT II (Medium)

The network device must be configured to allow user selection of long passwords and passphrases, including spaces and all printable characters for password-based authentication.

Rule ID

SV-264301r984144_rule

STIG

Network Device Management Security Requirements Guide

Version

V5R4

CCIs

CCI-004064

Discussion

Password-based authentication applies to passwords regardless of whether they are used in single-factor or multifactor authentication. Long passwords or passphrases are preferable over shorter passwords. Enforced composition rules provide marginal security benefits while decreasing usability. However, organizations may choose to establish certain rules for password generation (e.g., minimum character length for long passwords) under certain circumstances and can enforce this requirement in IA-5(1)(h). Account recovery can occur, for example, in situations when a password is forgotten. Cryptographically protected passwords include salted one-way cryptographic hashes of passwords. The list of commonly used, compromised, or expected passwords includes passwords obtained from previous breach corpuses, dictionary words, and repetitive or sequential characters. The list includes context-specific words, such as the name of the service, username, and derivatives thereof.

Check Content

Verify the network device is configured to allow user selection of long passwords and passphrases, including spaces and all printable characters.

If the network device is not configured to allow user selection of long passwords and passphrases, including spaces and all printable characters, this is a finding.

Fix Text

Configure the network device to allow user selection of long passwords and passphrases, including spaces and all printable characters.