1.2.3 Ensure 'Reset account lockout counter after' is set to '15 or more minute(s)'

Information

This policy setting determines the length of time before the Account lockout threshold resets to zero.

The default value for this policy setting is Not Defined.

If the Account lockout threshold is defined, this reset time must be less than or equal to the value for the Account lockout duration setting.

If you leave this policy setting at its default value or configure the value to an interval that is too long, your environment could be vulnerable to a DoS attack.

An attacker could maliciously perform a number of failed logon attempts on all users in the organization, which will lock out their accounts.

If no policy were determined to reset the account lockout, it would be a manual task for administrators.

Conversely, if a reasonable time value is configured for this policy setting, users would be locked out for a set period until all of the accounts are unlocked automatically.

The recommended state for this setting is: '15 or more minute(s)'.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to '15 or more minute(s)':

Computer Configuration\Policies\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Account Policies\Account Lockout Policy\Reset account lockout counter after

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/files/1941