Support Reverting Password Policy Changes to HMC Defaults

Problem

When testing the implementation of a new HMC password policy, it was observed that removing or deactivating the policy does not restore password settings to their default values. Instead, the values enforced by the active policy remain in effect, requiring administrators to manually modify the password settings if they wish to return to the HMC defaults.

This behaviour can be unexpected, particularly in test environments or where a password policy is being evaluated before wider deployment. Once testing is complete, there is no simple mechanism to revert the system to its original baseline.

Proposed Enhancement

Provide a supported method to revert password policy changes back to the HMC default settings.

One possible implementation would be to include a built-in Default password policy. This policy would represent the HMC's factory password settings, be visible alongside administrator-created policies, and be selectable as the active policy, while remaining non-editable and non-removable.

Administrators could activate custom password policies for testing or production use and, when those policies are no longer required, simply reactivate the Default policy to restore the HMC's baseline password settings. This approach aligns with the existing CLI-based password policy model while providing a straightforward way to return the system to its default configuration.

Benefits

Supporting reversion to the HMC default password settings would make password policy testing more predictable and significantly reduce administrative effort when rolling back changes. It would minimise the risk of unintended password restrictions remaining in place after a policy has been withdrawn and provide administrators with a clear, consistent mechanism for restoring the system to its baseline configuration. Whether implemented as a built-in default policy or by another mechanism, this enhancement would improve the usability and flexibility of HMC password policy management.