A system includes a target directory service, a domain mesh with a plurality of domains, and a synchronization host coupled to the domain mesh. The synchronization host is configured to synchronize password changes received in the domain mesh with the target directory service. Synchronizing the password changes includes receiving at the synchronization host a hash value representative of a plaintext password from the domain mesh, performing at the synchronization host an additional hash on the hash value to generate protected password data, and exporting the protected password data from the synchronization host to the target directory service.