What is the purpose of an account lockout policy?

The purpose of an account lockout policy is primarily to prevent unauthorized access to user accounts. When an account lockout policy is implemented, it sets rules that determine when an account should be locked after a certain number of failed login attempts. This helps protect against brute force attacks, where an unauthorized individual systematically tries different passwords to gain access to an account. By locking the account after several unsuccessful attempts, it significantly reduces the potential for a malicious actor to gain entry and helps to secure sensitive information.

Other choices, such as speeding up login processes, facilitating easier password changes, and creating reports on user login attempts, do not directly address the core function of an account lockout policy, which is focused on enhancing security by preventing unauthorized access.