An Experimental Study on the Role of Password Strength and Cognitive Load on Employee Productivity

research problem that this study seeks to address is the obstacle of password memorability, which is further complicated by the fact that users have many passwords to recall for computers, networks, and Websites among other systems (Wiedenbeck, Waters, Birget, Brodskiy, & Memon, 2005). Wiedenbeck et al. (2005) further noted that passwords have to be constantly changed in order to improve security, which increases the burden on the human mind and makes it difficult for users to remember their passwords. The main goal of this study is to assess the effect of changing the cognitive load (via different password strengths) over time on the number of failed operating system (OS) logon attempts, users ' average logon times, average task completion times, and amount of requests for assistance, as well as assess the aforementioned relationships when controlled for age, gender, and computer experience. This study will also assess the point at which raising the password strength becomes counterproductive Main Research Question (RQ): RQ1: At what point does the increase of the cognitive load (via different password strengths) become counterproductive to the organization by causing an increase in number of failed OS logon attempts, users ' average logon times, average task completion times, and amount of requests for assistance? RQ2: At what point does such increase become counterproductive to the organizatio