Which method for password management is best to promote a secure environment by requiring users to change their passwords after a certain period?

Password expiration is a method designed to enhance security by requiring users to change their passwords after a predetermined amount of time. This practice helps reduce the risk of unauthorized access that could occur if a password is compromised but remains unchanged for an extended period. By enforcing a regular password change, organizations can ensure that even if a password has been stolen or guessed, the window of opportunity for malicious actors to exploit that password is limited, as users will eventually need to create a new one. This proactive approach can be an important aspect of a broader security policy aimed at protecting sensitive information and maintaining the integrity of user accounts.

While other methods like account lockout, two-factor authentication, and cascade authentication also contribute to securing user accounts, they do not specifically address the issue of how often a password should be changed. Account lockout is focused on preventing unauthorized access through temporary account disabling after multiple failed login attempts, while two-factor authentication adds an additional layer of verification during the login process. Cascade authentication involves a sequence of authentication methods, but neither of these directly mandates regular password changes to enhance security over time.