> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.aqua-cloud.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.aqua-cloud.io/documentation/user-administration/password-expiration-policy-optional-configuration.md).

# Password Expiration Policy - Optional Configuration

### :closed\_lock\_with\_key: **Stay compliant, stay secure**

{% hint style="info" %}
Available for **private cloud** and **on-premise installations** only. 

Not available on aqua public cloud app.aqua-cloud.io.
{% endhint %}

aqua version 26.26 and later provides administrator-controlled password expiration policies, enabling organizations to enforce regular password changes as part of their security and compliance strategy. 

This is particularly relevant for organizations in regulated industries — such as financial services, insurance, or public sector — where **periodic credential renewal** is mandated by internal policies or external compliance frameworks.

### **What administrators can configure:**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Password expiry period**

define how frequently users are required to set a new password
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Password history**

prevent users from reusing recent passwords, ensuring each renewal results in a genuinely new credential
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Account lockout**

automatically restrict access after a defined number of consecutive failed login attempts, with a configurable lockout duration
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

All settings are disabled by default and can be enabled independently based on your organization's requirements.

### **How it affects users**

When the policy is active, a user whose password has reached the expiry threshold will be prompted to set a new password upon their next login. They will not be able to access the application until the new password has been set successfully.

The new password must meet the configured requirements and cannot be a trivially modified version of an old password.

***

**Exemptions**

The policy applies to standard users authenticating with aqua's native login. The following are not subject to password expiration:

* Technical and integration users (such as API users or sync integrations)
* Users authenticating via an external provider such as Active Directory, LDAP, or SAML — password lifecycle for these users is managed by the external identity provider

{% hint style="info" %}
Known Limitation — Desktop Client
{% endhint %}

If a user's password expires and they are using the aqua desktop client, they will not be able to log in via the desktop client until their password is changed. Such users are asked to log in via the web client to complete the password change, after which desktop login will work again.


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