Use Strong Passwords and Restrict Access on Windows 11

Protect Your Business with Strong Passwords and Restricted Access on Windows 11

Keeping your business safe from unauthorized access starts with ensuring your passwords are strong and access is properly restricted. This guide will walk you through setting up strong passwords and limiting access on Windows 11, following the CIS Control 4.5 guidelines for managing administrative privileges.

Before you start, make sure you have a device running Windows 11 and are logged in with an administrator account.

Step 1: Open Settings

1. Click on the Start menu.
2. Select the Settings icon (gear-shaped).

Step 2: Navigate to Accounts

1. In the Settings window, click on Accounts in the left-hand menu.

Step 3: Set Up Strong Passwords

1. Sign-in Options: Click on Sign-in options under the Accounts menu.
   • Click Password, then Change to set up a strong password.
   • Follow the prompts to create a strong password, using a mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and special characters.
2. Password Policy (for Windows 11 Pro): Enforce strong password policies using the Group Policy Editor.
   • Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.
   • Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
   • Navigate to Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Account Policies > Password Policy.
   • Configure settings to enforce password history, minimum length, and complexity requirements.

Step 4: Restrict Administrative Access

1. User Accounts: Click on Family & other users in the Accounts menu.
   • Review the user list and ensure only necessary accounts have administrative privileges.
   • To change an account’s role, click the account name and select Change account type. Set it to Standard user if administrative access isn’t required.
2. User Account Control (UAC): Ensure UAC is enabled to prevent unauthorized changes.
   • Search for UAC in the Start menu and select Change User Account Control settings.
   • Set the slider to a level that prompts you when changes are made to your computer (recommended: second level from the top).

The Importance of Strong Passwords and Restricted Access

Using strong passwords and restricting administrative access are essential steps in protecting your business from cyber threats. These measures help prevent unauthorized access and ensure only trusted users can make changes to your system.

This step aligns with CIS Control 4.5: Controlled Use of Administrative Privileges, which focuses on securing and managing administrative privileges to reduce vulnerabilities.

By following these steps, you’ll significantly enhance the security of your Windows 11 systems. Stay tuned for more tips on effectively managing your business’s cybersecurity risk.

For more details on securing your business, check out our CyberGuardian Framework.