Cipher‐Guard: A Machine Learning Model for Adaptive and Context‐Aware Password Security.

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Title: Cipher‐Guard: A Machine Learning Model for Adaptive and Context‐Aware Password Security.
Authors: Alatawi, Mohammed Naif1 (AUTHOR) alatawimn@ut.edu.sa, Liang, Xueqin1 (AUTHOR) liangxueqin@xidian.edu.cn
Source: IET Information Security (Wiley-Blackwell). 6/19/2026, Vol. 2026, p1-26. 26p.
Subjects: Computer password security, Machine learning, Ethical problems, Feature extraction, Artificial intelligence, Cryptography, Adversarial machine learning
Abstract: This research aims to enhance password security by designing, training and testing Cipher‐Guard, a machine learning (ML) algorithm that incorporates complex features and techniques derived from proven feature engineering. The current model is inherently built on the equations of mathematical modelling concerning complexity metrics of passwords and contextualisation. This is in terms of password length (PL), entropy (E) and the character set diversity (CSD) of the passwords, as well as contextual embeddings such as user‐specific password history (UPH) and temporal patterns (TPs). A simulation of the data matrix was created, containing 1000 records, which formed the basis of the model and a thorough exploratory data analysis (EDA). The proposed model demonstrates interpretability and credibility in distinguishing patterns related to password complexity metrics, yielding promising formative results in the specified evaluation metrics. PL, E and CSD were analysed thoroughly, and the importance of increasing password security was identified. Specific contextual embeddings were identified as UPH and TPs, which reflect the model's ability to adapt to the particular user's actions. Including adversarial training features also helped protect the model from potential manipulations through a proactive defence plan. Moreover, the enhancement of cryptographic principles, which include hashing and salting, also improved the dataset security, thereby increasing the standard practice within the industry. The metrics involved in the comparative assessment included receiver operating characteristic‐area under the curve (ROC‐AUC), learning curves, confusion matrix, precision matrix and precision‐recall curves, among others. Cipher‐Guard performed consistently well across these parameters, which has reinforced its authenticity in strengthening password protection. However, to appreciate such findings, certain constraints need to be well addressed, such as the quality of the chosen dataset, some ethical concerns raised in the study and the fact that new threats are constantly emerging. Recommendations for enhancing continuous dataset monitoring and establishing an ethical framework for the case are also suggested. The research directions broaden future possibilities for research while emphasising continuous model updating, individual‐centred protection and compatibility with other emerging technologies. Therefore, Cipher‐Guard represents a significant advancement in password protection and offers a promising prospect for flexible and personalised security in the modern era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of IET Information Security (Wiley-Blackwell) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Cipher‐Guard: A Machine Learning Model for Adaptive and Context‐Aware Password Security.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Alatawi%2C+Mohammed+Naif%22">Alatawi, Mohammed Naif</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> alatawimn@ut.edu.sa</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Liang%2C+Xueqin%22">Liang, Xueqin</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> liangxueqin@xidian.edu.cn</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22IET+Information+Security+%28Wiley-Blackwell%29%22">IET Information Security (Wiley-Blackwell)</searchLink>. 6/19/2026, Vol. 2026, p1-26. 26p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Computer+password+security%22">Computer password security</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Machine+learning%22">Machine learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Ethical+problems%22">Ethical problems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Feature+extraction%22">Feature extraction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Artificial+intelligence%22">Artificial intelligence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cryptography%22">Cryptography</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Adversarial+machine+learning%22">Adversarial machine learning</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This research aims to enhance password security by designing, training and testing Cipher‐Guard, a machine learning (ML) algorithm that incorporates complex features and techniques derived from proven feature engineering. The current model is inherently built on the equations of mathematical modelling concerning complexity metrics of passwords and contextualisation. This is in terms of password length (PL), entropy (E) and the character set diversity (CSD) of the passwords, as well as contextual embeddings such as user‐specific password history (UPH) and temporal patterns (TPs). A simulation of the data matrix was created, containing 1000 records, which formed the basis of the model and a thorough exploratory data analysis (EDA). The proposed model demonstrates interpretability and credibility in distinguishing patterns related to password complexity metrics, yielding promising formative results in the specified evaluation metrics. PL, E and CSD were analysed thoroughly, and the importance of increasing password security was identified. Specific contextual embeddings were identified as UPH and TPs, which reflect the model's ability to adapt to the particular user's actions. Including adversarial training features also helped protect the model from potential manipulations through a proactive defence plan. Moreover, the enhancement of cryptographic principles, which include hashing and salting, also improved the dataset security, thereby increasing the standard practice within the industry. The metrics involved in the comparative assessment included receiver operating characteristic‐area under the curve (ROC‐AUC), learning curves, confusion matrix, precision matrix and precision‐recall curves, among others. Cipher‐Guard performed consistently well across these parameters, which has reinforced its authenticity in strengthening password protection. However, to appreciate such findings, certain constraints need to be well addressed, such as the quality of the chosen dataset, some ethical concerns raised in the study and the fact that new threats are constantly emerging. Recommendations for enhancing continuous dataset monitoring and establishing an ethical framework for the case are also suggested. The research directions broaden future possibilities for research while emphasising continuous model updating, individual‐centred protection and compatibility with other emerging technologies. Therefore, Cipher‐Guard represents a significant advancement in password protection and offers a promising prospect for flexible and personalised security in the modern era. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of IET Information Security (Wiley-Blackwell) is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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RecordInfo BibRecord:
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    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1049/ise2/3930060
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 26
        StartPage: 1
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Computer password security
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Machine learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Ethical problems
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Feature extraction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Artificial intelligence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cryptography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Adversarial machine learning
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Cipher‐Guard: A Machine Learning Model for Adaptive and Context‐Aware Password Security.
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            NameFull: Alatawi, Mohammed Naif
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            NameFull: Liang, Xueqin
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            – D: 19
              M: 06
              Text: 6/19/2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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              Value: 2026
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