> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.voting.works/vxsuite-tdp-v4/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.voting.works/vxsuite-tdp-v4/system-security-auditing-and-logging/software-security/password-and-credential-policies.md).

# Password and Credential Policies

On VxSuite machines, there are no passwords for election administrators to use – only smart cards as described previously. The smart cards all use 256-bit elliptic-curve digital signatures, which makes them cryptographically strong. In addition, the PINs that gate usage of those cards follow the NIST recommendations for authentication – 6 digits long, randomly generated (as opposed to chosen by the user who might use a birthdate), and never a weak PIN like 000000.


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