Automating Inactive User Deactivation

Why Automate Deactivation?

Automating the deactivation of inactive user accounts is a crucial security measure. It reduces the attack surface by limiting the number of stale accounts that could be compromised. It also helps in maintaining a clean user database and can reduce costs associated with user management.

Defining "Inactive"

First, establish a clear definition for what constitutes an inactive user. This is typically based on the last login date. A common policy is to consider users inactive after 90 or 180 days without a login.

The Deactivation Script

The automation can be a scheduled script (e.g., a cron job) that runs daily. The script should:

1. Query the database for users whose last login date is older than the defined inactivity period.
2. Send a warning email to these users a week before deactivation, informing them of the upcoming action and how to prevent it (by logging in).
3. On the day of deactivation, change the user's status from 'Active' to 'Inactive' in the database.
4. Log the deactivation event for auditing purposes.