For years, FireOak has recommended that clients implement an enterprise password management platform as a central part of their cybersecurity strategy. FireOak is not a reseller of any platforms, but we have increasingly recommended Bitwarden to organizations seeking a robust, enterprise password manager. Bitwarden is straightforward to deploy, but includes several enterprise-level settings that require proper configuration to align with organizational security policies. Below are FireOak’s recommended settings for Bitwarden, which can be accessed by administrators through Bitwarden’s web interface under Organizations > Settings > Policies.
Overview of FireOak’s Recommended Bitwarden Settings
- Two-step login (multi-factor authentication/MFA): Required
- Master password requirements:
- Minimum complexity score: Strong (4)
- Minimum length: 20 characters
- Single organization policy: Enable
- Account recovery administration: Enable
- Remove individual vault export: Enable
Continue reading for further details on each setting and why they matter for enterprise security and operational clarity.
Multi-Factor Authentication
Bitwarden refers to MFA as “two-step login.” It is essential that all users leverage multi-factor authentication, starting with their password manager. We recommend making MFA mandatory for every Bitwarden user to minimize the risk of compromised credentials.
Master Password Requirements
Every user creates a “master password” to access Bitwarden. Setting strong requirements for this password is critical. We recommend:
- Enabling the master password policy
- Requiring any existing users to update their passwords to meet the new standards
- Setting a minimum complexity score of “Strong (4)”
- Setting a minimum length of 20 characters
Passphrases—long, memorable phrases—are more secure and user-friendly than traditional passwords.
Single Organization Setting
Enabling the “single organization” policy is a prerequisite for account recovery administration. Turning on this setting removes users who are already members of other organizations (and are not owners/admins) from your organization, ensuring tighter control and streamlined administration.
Account Recovery Administration
Account recovery administration provides IT support teams a secure way to reset staff passwords, essential for business continuity when staff are on extended leave or otherwise unavailable.
Vault Exports
Disabling individual vault exports prevents users (except for owners and admins) from exporting vault data. This reduces the risk of inadvertent or unauthorized data leakage and aligns with best practices in information governance.
Implementation Considerations
For best results, apply these settings before deploying Bitwarden enterprise-wide. If Bitwarden has already been rolled out, plan for additional change management, user coordination, and communication, as some settings may impact current users. Pay close attention to Bitwarden’s warning messages when making changes; for example, requiring MFA may remove users without MFA enabled, prompting them to take corrective action.
Conclusion
Enforcing these recommended enterprise Bitwarden settings is a straightforward way for organizations to improve their security posture. Proactive implementation ensures users take advantage of critical controls to safeguard organizational knowledge and information. If you need guidance or support with an enterprise Bitwarden deployment, FireOak is here to help.
