Under what conditions should the Master Password be changed?

Changing the Master Password is a critical security practice that safeguards sensitive privileged access secrets. The most compelling reason to change the Master Password is when its chain of custody is in doubt. This situation indicates that there may have been unauthorized access or potential exposure of the password to individuals who shouldn't have access to it. Maintaining the integrity of the chain of custody is essential to ensure that only authorized personnel have knowledge of the Master Password. If there are doubts about who has accessed it or how many individuals have had access, changing the password immediately mitigates the risk of unauthorized access and strengthens the overall security posture of the system.

In contrast, while sharing the password, unauthorized logins, and expiration periods have their importance, they do not necessarily reflect the same immediate need for security actions that a compromised chain of custody does. Sharing the password or an unauthorized login may suggest a need for increased vigilance but does not always necessitate an urgent change unless it directly impacts the security of the password's integrity. Similarly, exceeding an expiration period is a standard practice for maintaining security hygiene but does not inherently indicate that the password has been compromised or is at risk, as the password could still be secure.