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User-facing message guidelines for IEM application policies

Required message characteristics

Characteristic Description
Professional Tone Use clear, neutral, business-appropriate language.
Actionable Tell users exactly what to do next.
Specific Reference exact application names and version numbers.
Honest Accurately describe the situation without exaggeration.
Concise Keep messages under 200 characters when possible.

Prohibited content

Messages MUST NOT contain:

  • Credentials (passwords, API keys, tokens)
  • Personal or sensitive information (emails, phone numbers, addresses)
  • HTML/JavaScript code (<script>, onclick=, onerror=)
  • URLs to untrusted external sites
  • System paths or internal infrastructure details
  • Profanity, discriminatory, or offensive language
  • Social engineering attempts ("Click here immediately", "Urgent action required")
  • Misleading security warnings

Example violations:

  • "Your password is admin123"
  • "Alert! <script>alert('hacked')</script>"
  • "Contact admin@internal-server.local"
  • "File located at /etc/passwd"

For further guidance on tone, clarity, and language standards, refer to the Siemens iX Writing Style Guide.