How often should privileged passwords be rotated according to best practices?

Privileged passwords should typically be rotated every 30 to 90 days as per best practices in cybersecurity and specifically within privileged access management frameworks. This frequency strikes a balance between maintaining security and operational efficiency. Regularly rotating passwords helps mitigate the risks associated with password theft, unauthorized access, and privilege escalation, which can occur if a password remains unchanged for an extended period.

Rotating passwords too frequently, such as every day, can lead to operational challenges, including increased password fatigue among users and potential disruptions in access. This could discourage compliance and make it difficult for users to remember or manage multiple passwords effectively. On the other hand, rotating passwords every 6 months or once a year is generally considered insufficient for protecting sensitive accounts, as it allows more time for potential exploitation of a password that may have been compromised. Therefore, the 30 to 90-day window is the most recommended approach for maintaining robust security practices in managing privileged accounts.