Login security: review recovery as well as passwords

Map the account lifecycle

List registration, login, password reset, email changes and account closure. Name the team responsible for each step, including any identity provider. This avoids treating outsourced sign-in as proof that the whole account lifecycle is covered.

Check the safeguards together

OWASP recommends measures such as multifactor authentication, login throttling and reauthentication for sensitive actions. Review these as a coordinated policy. A control that prevents abuse but routinely locks out legitimate users also needs operational attention.

Give support a defined route

Document what support staff may do when a user loses access. Avoid improvised identity decisions over ordinary messages. Keep an escalation owner and use approved test accounts to rehearse recovery before a customer incident.

Practical checklist

• Include recovery in the review scope.
• Protect privileged accounts.
• Define sensitive changes requiring confirmation.
• Rehearse the support escalation route.

A common question

Does adding multifactor authentication finish the work?

No. Recovery, enrollment changes and support procedures need compatible safeguards too. Review the complete account journey.