http://blogs.msdn.com/lcris/archive/2008/02/20/sql-server-password-policy-faq.aspxI am starting this post to collect frequent Q&amp;A related to password policy. I plan to keep updating the post if anything new is worth adding to it. Note that this FAQ does not cover SQL Server Compact Edition. Also note that BOL stands for Books OnLine.en-USCommunityServer 2.1 SP1 (Build: 61025.2)http://blogs.msdn.com/lcris/archive/2008/02/20/sql-server-password-policy-faq.aspx#8718862Fri, 11 Jul 2008 01:05:41 GMT91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb4018c:8718862rsisk101<p>Q: Who or what password policy is enforced when creating a Database Master key? Is it based on the user doing the Create? On the service account of the SQL Server?</p>http://blogs.msdn.com/lcris/archive/2008/02/20/sql-server-password-policy-faq.aspx#8719257Fri, 11 Jul 2008 03:00:12 GMT91d46819-8472-40ad-a661-2c78acb4018c:8719257lcris<p>A: Password policy is system specific, not account specific. SQL Server will enforce the machine's password policy, or if a domain specific policy is in effect, it will enforce the domain's password policy.</p>