Information handling system security is simplified and enhanced with user passwords configurable to restrict access to the overall system and separately to the hard disk drive. An administrative password overrides the BIOS password to allow administrative access to the information handling system. Upon creation of a hard disk drive password on a system having an administrative password, the hard disk drive password is saved to the hard disk drive and to the BIOS with access from the BIOS restricted by the administrative password. Upon entry of the administrative password at the BIOS, the hard disk drive password is automatically provided from the BIOS to the hard disk drive to allow access to the hard disk drive.