What is the purpose of setting an account expiration policy?

The purpose of setting an account expiration policy primarily revolves around managing temporary users and reducing unauthorized access. By establishing an expiration date for user accounts, organizations can ensure that access is automatically revoked after a predetermined period, especially for accounts that are intended for temporary use. This is particularly important for scenarios such as contract work, internships, or any situation where users need limited-time access to systems or data.

Implementing such a policy helps protect sensitive information and reduces the risk of users retaining access beyond their intended usage. It also streamlines account management, as administrators do not need to manually disable or delete accounts after a user's term has ended. Overall, an account expiration policy fortifies security measures and ensures that only authorized users have access to critical resources, aligning with best practices in user account management.