How to Manage session duration in Slack

You can limit the amount of time that your members are logged in to Slack by setting up session length, which provides an additional layer of protection. You have the option of giving people the option to sign back in every time they close Slack or after a predetermined amount of time has passed.

How it works

Title: Understanding Slack Session Duration Settings: Enhancing Security and User Experience

Slack, a popular workplace communication platform, offers customizable session duration settings to balance security and user convenience. Here’s a comprehensive overview of how these settings work:

• Session Duration Options:

• Sign out when Slack is closed
• Sign out after a specified time period

• User Notification System:

• Warning notifications sent to members before session expiry
• First warning: 2 hours before expiration
• Final reminder: 15 minutes before sign-out
• Option for users to re-authenticate at notification time

• Implementation of Changes:

• New settings take effect on the day of implementation
• Gradual rollout of session expirations
• Example: 7-day duration setting will cause random sign-outs over the next week

• Platform-Specific Application:

• Pro and Business+ subscriptions:
  • Settings apply to Slack desktop app and browser only
• Enterprise Grid:
  • Settings can also apply to Slack mobile apps

• Benefits of Session Duration Settings:

• Enhanced security by limiting prolonged access
• Improved user experience through customizable durations
• Minimized disruption with advance notifications

• Considerations for Administrators:

• Balance between security needs and user convenience
• Potential impact on workflow if duration is too short
• importance of communicating changes to team members

By understanding and effectively implementing these session duration settings, organizations can enhance their Slack security while maintaining a smooth user experience. The gradual rollout and notification system help minimize disruption, allowing teams to maintain productivity while adhering to security best practices.

This note highlights important differences in how session duration settings are applied across different Slack subscription tiers:

• Pro and Business+ subscriptions:

• Session duration settings only apply to:
  • Slack desktop application
  • Slack in web browsers

• Enterprise Grid subscription:

• Session duration settings apply to:
  • Slack desktop application
  • Slack in web browsers
  • Slack mobile apps (additional coverage)

Key points:

• The application of session duration settings varies based on the Slack subscription level.
• Enterprise Grid offers more comprehensive coverage by including mobile apps in the session duration policy.
• The use of Pro or Business+ by organizations should be aware that these settings have no impact on mobile app sessions.
• This difference could impact security and user management strategies, especially for organizations with a mobile workforce.

For companies considering different Slack tiers, this distinction in session duration application could be a factor in their decision-making process, especially if mobile security is a significant concern.

How to Set up session duration

Pro and Business+ subscriptions

To set up or modify session duration for your Slack workspace, follow these detailed steps:

1. Access Workspace Settings:
   • From your Slack desktop app
   • Click on your workspace name in the sidebar
   • Hover over “Tools & Settings.“
   • Select “Workspace settings” from the drop-down menu
2. Navigate to Authentication Settings:
   • In the Workspace settings menu
   • Locate and click on “Authentication.”
3. Adjust Session Duration:
   • Find the “Session Duration” section
   • Click on “Expand” to view options
4. Choose Session duration option:
   • Select one of two options:
     a. Sign members out when they close Slack
     b. Sign members out after a specified time period
5. Set Warning Notifications (Optional):
   • Choose whether to warn members before sign-out
   • This helps users prepare for session expiration
6. Save Your Changes:
   • After configuring your preferred settings,
   • Click the “Save” button to apply changes

By following these steps, Slack administrators can effectively manage session durations for their workspace, balancing security needs with user convenience. Remember, these settings may impact user workflow, so it’s important to communicate changes to your team members.For Enterprise Grid subscribers, note that these settings can also apply to mobile apps, providing more comprehensive session management across all devices.

Enterprise Grid subscription

Configuring Slack Session Duration for Organizations: A Step-by-Step GuideTo set up or modify session duration for your Slack organization, follow these detailed steps:

1. Access Organization Settings:
   • From your Slack desktop app
   • Click on your organization name in the sidebar
   • Hover over “Tools & settings“
   • Select “Organization settings” from the dropdown menu
2. Navigate to Security Settings:
   • In the left column, click on “Security“
   • Then select “Security Settings“
3. Enable Session Duration:
   • Locate “Session duration“
   • Click “Enable” next to it
4. Choose Application Scope:
   • Tick the box next to:
     • “Sign users out on desktop” and/or
     • “Sign users out on mobile“
5. Set Session Duration Option:
   • Select one of two options:
     a. Sign members out when they close Slack
     b. Sign members out after a specified time period
6. Configure Warning Notifications (Optional):
   • Choose whether to warn members before sign-out
   • This helps users prepare for session expiration
7. Save Your Changes:
   • After configuring your preferred settings
   • Click the “Save” button to apply changes

By following these steps, Slack administrators can effectively manage session durations for their entire organization, balancing security needs with user convenience. Remember, these settings may impact user workflow, so it’s important to communicate changes to your team members.These organization-wide settings provide a more comprehensive approach to session management, ensuring consistent security practices across all users in your Slack workspace.

Customizing Session Duration for Specific Members Using Slack’s API

The Slack platform offers an advanced feature that allows administrators to set custom session durations for specific subsets of members within their organization. This functionality is accessible through the session duration API.

Key points:

By leveraging this API, Slack administrators can create a more nuanced approach to session management, tailoring the experience to different user roles or security requirements within their organization. This level of customization can enhance both security and user experience in a more targeted manner.