Centralized authentication (such as Active Directory or LDAP) combined with proper password policies helps prevent the reuse of the same local credentials across multiple systems, reducing the risk of lateral movement during attacks like credential reuse or pass-the-hash. Reference: CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 Official Study Guide, Domain 3.1: "Centralized authentication and strong password policies reduce risks associated with local account reuse." Exam Objectives 3.1: "Implement secure network architecture concepts."