TASK 4
???? Objective:
Enforce a minimum password lengt h of 12 characters for members of the BranchAdmins group only.
Step-by-Step Guide: Fine-Grained Password Policy (FGPP)
✅ Step 1: Verify Forest Functional Level
Fine-grained password policies require the forest functional level to be at least Windows Serv er 2008.
On a DC, open Active Directory Domains and Trusts (domain.msc).
Right-click the domain and select Raise Forest Functional Level to verify.
If it’s lower, consider raising it (requires caution and planning).
✅ Step 2: Open the Active Directory Administrative Center (ADAC)
On a DC or management server, open ADAC:
Press Windows + R, type dsac.exe, and hit Enter.
✅ Step 3: Create a Fine-Grained Password Policy
In ADAC, in the left pane, expand the domain (e.g., contoso.com) and click System > Pas sword Settings Container.
In the right pane, right-click and select New > Password Settings.
✅ Step 4: Configure the Password Policy
Name: e.g., BranchAdminsPSO.
Precedence: e.g., 1 (lower number = higher priority).
Minimum password length: 12.
Configure other settings as required (leave them at default if not specified).
In Directly Applies To, click Add.
Search for and select the BranchAdmins group.
Click OK.
✅ Step 5: Confirm and Apply
Click OK to create the policy.
It’s now linked directly to the Bran chAdmins group, affecting only its members.
✅ Step 6: Verify the Policy
You can use PowerShell to confirm that the PSO is applied:
Get-ADUserResultantPasswordPolicy -Identity " username "
Replace " username " with a user from the BranchAdmins group. The output will show the minimum password length (should be 12).