Defining security parameters - Word Drop

A password ______ sets the rules for creating and protecting passwords. To make a password hard to crack it should be a minimum ______ and mix upper and lower case letters, numbers and symbols. Dictionary words and personal details should be banned, and a password ______ can score a password and tell the user how to strengthen it. A password must never be ______ with anyone else and must not be written down. It should also be changed ______ so a hacker cannot keep using the same one for a long time.

An acceptable software policy states that users are normally forbidden to ______ new software onto their computers, because unapproved programs could contain ______ such as a virus or conflict with the operating system. If someone needs new software, the IT managers must give their ______ before it is added. Software must also be used for work tasks only, which prevents breaking copyright law.

The operating system enforces these rules by giving users only limited administrative ______. A software ______ is a review of the programs installed on an organisation's computers, checking that each one is licensed and still needed. Device hardening adds further parameters: install a firewall and anti-virus, apply software ______ and security patches, which fix known weaknesses in programs, ______ saved data so it cannot be read if a device is stolen, remove unused software, and disable unused ports such as ______.