Configure Dictionary Words for Password Policies

A strong password policy is essential for maintaining a secure information system, and one effective tool for creating robust policies is the use of password dictionary words and word sets. EmpowerID allows you to customize these word sets, enhancing your password security by preventing users from selecting passwords containing common or easy-to-guess words.

To update password dictionary word sets in EmpowerID, you have two options. You can either manually add words one at a time or mass upload dictionary words using a CSV file. When uploading via a CSV file, it's important to ensure that the file is formatted correctly, with a single 'Name' header followed by rows of words to be added to the word set. The example below demonstrates the correct format:

In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a new dictionary word set and using both the mass upload method and the manual method to add words to the password dictionary word set. By leveraging this feature and regularly updating your word sets, you can strengthen your organization's password policies and improve overall security.

Create a new Dictionary Word Set

1. On the navbar, expand Password Management and click Password & Login Policies.
   This directs you to the Find Password Manager Policy page.
   
   

   Open

   

    

2. On the Find Password Manager Policy page, navigate to the Dictionary Words tab and then click the Add button.
   
   

   Open

   

    

3. Enter a Name and a Display Name for the new Dictionary Word Set and click Save.
   
   

   
   Now that you have created the Dictionary Word Set add the desired words to it by following the below procedure.

Add words to the Dictionary Word Set

Method 1 - Mass upload words via CSV file

1. From the Dictionary Words tab, click Update Dictionary Words.
   
   

   
   This initiates the UpdatePasswordDictionaryWords workflow.
   
   

    

2. Under Manage dictionary words, do the following:

   1. Select the dictionary word set to be updated from the Password Dictionary Word Set dropdown.

   2. Click Choose File and select the CSV file with the dictionary words to be added.

3. Click Submit.
   
   

    

Method 2 - Manually add words

1. From the Dictionary Words tab, click the Name link for the Password Dictionary Word Set you want to update with new words.
   
   

    

2. Expand the Dictionary Words accordion and click the Add button.
   
   

    

3. Enter the new dictionary word in the Name field and click Save.
   
   

    

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each new word you want to add to the word set.

Verify the Dictionary Words

1. Return to the Dictionary Words tab of the Find Password Manager Policy page and click the Name link for the updated word set.
   
   

    

2. Expand the Dictionary Words accordion.
   You should see the words you added.
   
   

Assign the custom Dictionary Word Set to Password Policies

Now that you have created a custom dictionary word set, you can assign it to password policies by following the step-by-step process for creating and managing password manager policies in EmpowerID.