Strong passwords are required to protect the security of NAS systems.

When you create or change your NAS password, specify a unique password that you have never used anywhere else. Never use your NAS password for any other application under any circumstances.

Follow these rules when you create your password:

1. Use a minimum of 12 characters
2. Include characters from at least three of the following types:
   • Uppercase letters
   • Lowercase letters
   • Numbers
   • Special characters (e.g., $ ! @ #)
3. Do not use a "trivial" password that can be easily guessed; for example, do not use:
   • Your agency user ID (AUID)
   • A dictionary word in any language, or a dictionary word with numbers appended or prepended to it (for example, "hello22" or "22hello")
   • A contractor name
   • A division or branch name
   • A password partly or fully composed of any of the following terms: your user ID, name, birth date, Social Security number, family member or pet's name, your name spelled backwards, or any other personal information
   • The name of any automobile or sports team
   • The name of any vendor product or product nickname
   • Repetitive or keyboard patterns (for example, "abc#ABC", "1234", "qwer", "mnbvc", "aaa#aaaa")
4. Do not use any of your previous 24 passwords

After you successfully change your password, you must wait at least one day to change it again. You must change your password every 60 days.