No. Sharing passwords in North Dakota violates state and federal laws unless explicitly authorized. The North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-06.1-08 criminalizes unauthorized access to computer systems, while the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) imposes civil and criminal penalties. Recent 2026 amendments to ND’s cybersecurity regulations tighten enforcement, requiring businesses to document access controls or risk fines up to $10,000 per violation.
Key Regulations for Sharing Passwords in North Dakota
- Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) Compliance: Unauthorized password sharing constitutes “exceeding authorized access,” triggering potential felony charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1030(a)(2).
- North Dakota Century Code § 12.1-06.1-08: Prohibits sharing login credentials for state or private systems, with penalties including imprisonment up to 5 years and/or $10,000 fines.
- 2026 Cybersecurity Act Amendments: Mandates organizations to implement multi-factor authentication (MFA) and audit access logs; non-compliance voids liability protections under ND’s Data Privacy Act.
Businesses must enforce strict access policies, including role-based permissions and quarterly access reviews, to mitigate legal exposure. Violations may also trigger investigations by the North Dakota Attorney General’s Cybercrimes Unit.