Simplifying Passwords: What NIST's New Guidelines Mean for Developers

Passwords have always been a headache for both users and developers. You know the drill: create something long, complicated, and nearly impossible to remember. But with NIST's recent changes to their password guidelines, things are finally shifting. And as developers, it's worth asking—what does this mean for us moving forward?

NIST now says that complexity isn't always the answer. Gone are the days when you'd force people to include symbols, uppercase letters, and numbers in their passwords. Why? Because people just end up using predictable patterns like “Password123!”—and let's be real, that's not doing anyone any favours. Instead, the new focus is on length. A passphrase like "PurpleElephantDancesAtSunset" is easier to remember and far more secure than "P@ssw0rd!". Or how about using the first line from your favourite book, poem, or even a limerick? 😆

And then there's the dreaded password reset. For years, developers have been building systems that nudge users to change their passwords every few months. But NIST now recommends ditching those frequent resets unless there's a security breach. The idea is that constantly forcing users to reset their passwords leads to weaker ones. Think about it: when's the last time you were excited to change your password? People just recycle slight variations of the same weak password. Instead, focus on real-time security monitoring and only ask for resets if something suspicious is going on.

This got me thinking—if passwords can be simplified without sacrificing security, where else can we apply this philosophy? Take usernames, for example. Why make people jump through hoops to create a username that's unique but fits into strict formatting rules? Let them pick something they actually like—special characters, spaces, and all—and handle any potential duplicates in the background.

Permissions are another area where complexity isn't always necessary. Instead of overwhelming users with a flood of permission options right at the start, why not implement smart defaults and let them tweak the settings later? It makes onboarding faster and keeps things secure without putting the burden on the user from the get-go.

Two-factor authentication? Sure, SMS-based 2FA gets the job done, but it's not exactly the most user-friendly option, and it's definitely not the most secure. A better solution? Offer app-based authentication or biometric options like Face ID or fingerprint scans. Users appreciate simplicity, and these methods are much more reliable.

And the real future? It's probably passwordless. With technologies like passkeys—already supported by most password managers—users can log in without needing to remember anything. Biometric logins and hardware security keys, combined with passkeys, are making passwords a thing of the past. Passkeys use public-key cryptography, which makes them nearly impossible to compromise.

At the end of the day, NISTs changes are a wake-up call to developers everywhere: complexity isn't always the answer. We can make systems more secure and easier to use by focusing on smart solutions instead of rigid rules. Whether it's passwords, usernames, or authentication methods, the goal should be to keep things secure without making them a hassle. After all, the best security is the kind users don't even notice.