Question

Your organization includes the following statement in the security policy:

"Security controls need to protect against both online and offline password brute force attacks."
Which controls are the LEAST helpful to meet these goals?

Answer 1

The least helpful controls to protect against online and offline brute force attacks are physical security measures such as locks and security guards. Two-factor authentication, stronger passwords, and user education are crucial in mitigating such digital threats.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the security policy states that security controls must protect against both online and offline password brute force attacks, there are some controls which are less effective. Physical security measures such as locks and security guards, while crucial for safeguarding physical assets, do little to mitigate brute force attacks which are typically digital in nature. On the other hand, controls like two-factor authentication (2FA), the use of stronger passwords, and user education on avoiding scams are highly effective in securing online accounts against brute force attacks. 2FA adds an additional verification step that is not easily bypassed by brute force techniques. Stronger passwords, which include a variety of characters and are of sufficient length, are much harder for attackers to guess or crack using brute force methods. Lastly, educating users on the importance of security hygiene and how to recognize phishing or scam attempts can greatly reduce the chances of password compromise.