Understanding Session Timeout
What is Session Timeout?
A session timeout refers to the period of inactivity after which a user's session is automatically terminated. This is critical for maintaining security, especially in environments where devices may be shared or left unattended.
Importance of Session Timeout
- Security Enhancement: Session timeouts reduce the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data by closing inactive sessions after a specified period.
- Resource Management: Automatically ending inactive sessions helps free up system resources, contributing to the overall performance and stability of the application.
Configuring Session Timeout
- Log in to the Admin Portal and navigate to
Accounts->Account Settings->Login Preferences - Select one of the predefined times from the list or enter a custom one for up to 24 hours.
- Click
Submitto change the setting.
The session timeout setting can vary depending on the needs of the application. For example, the screenshot above shows a session timeout set to 24 hours, which means a user can remain logged in without activity for an entire day before being logged out.
Conclusion
Session timeout is crucial for securing web applications by automatically terminating inactive sessions. By carefully configuring timeout settings, organizations can protect sensitive data while also considering user convenience.