Which setting forces users to change their password at regular intervals?

The correct choice, which specifies a setting that enforces users to change their passwords at regular intervals, is maximum password age. This setting determines the maximum duration that a password can be used before it must be changed, thereby promoting better security practices. The implementation of maximum password age requires users to periodically update their passwords, which helps mitigate risks associated with password theft or compromise over time.

This practice is essential in maintaining a secure environment, as it minimizes the window of opportunity for an attacker who may have gained access to a password. Regularly changing passwords can prevent unauthorized access to sensitive systems and data.

In contrast, account lockout is designed to prevent unauthorized access by temporarily locking a user account after a specific number of failed login attempts. Password history, on the other hand, ensures that users cannot reuse their previous passwords within a certain number of changes, focusing more on the uniqueness of passwords rather than their change frequency. Minimum password age is a setting that prevents users from changing their passwords too frequently, ensuring that they maintain the same password for a designated minimum period. While these settings play significant roles in an overall security strategy, maximum password age directly addresses the need for regular password updates.