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In cybersecurity, there are few topics more important than password management. After all, your passwords are the keys to your online accounts, and if those keys fall into the wrong hands, your business data, workflow, and reputation could be at risk.
Did you know that compromised usernames and passwords are the most common way that criminals gain access to their victim’s data? A full 61% of breaches are the result of compromised passwords.
That’s why it’s absolutely vital to have a robust password management strategy, both for yourself and your business. This blog will empower you with some of the best password management practices for individuals and organisations, enabling you to take proactive steps towards security.
Before delving into the best password management practices, it’s crucial to grasp the dangers of substandard password management. Understanding these risks is the first step towards being well-informed and prepared to safeguard your accounts.
Poor password management can make you susceptible to:
• Brute-force attacks: This is when someone attempts to guess your password by trying out different combinations of letters, numbers, and symbols until they find the right one. This type of attack is usually automated, and simpler passwords are cracked easily.
• Phishing attacks: This is when someone tricks you into giving them your password by posing as a trusted source, such as a website or company with whom you do business. They may do this by sending you an email that may look legitimate but contains a link that leads to a fake login page. Once you’ve input your username and password, they can access your real account at their leisure or sell your credentials to the highest bidder.
• Social engineering: This is when someone uses psychological tricks to get you to reveal sensitive information, such as your password. They may do this by pretending to be someone you trust or offering you something in exchange for your password.
With these risks in mind, let’s look at some best practices for password management.
1. Use a password manager: A password manager is software that helps you keep track of your various passwords. This can be a huge time-saver and means that you don’t have to remember multiple complex passwords; the password manager will do that for you.
2. Use strong passwords: When it comes to your passwords, always err on the side of caution and use strong, unique passwords for each of your online accounts. Avoid using easily guessed words or personal information in your passwords and make sure that your passwords are at least eight characters long.
3. Use two-factor authentication: Enable two-factor authentication (also known as 2FA or MFA, multifactor authentication) for your online accounts. This adds an extra layer of security, as it requires you to enter not only your password but also a code generated by an app on your phone or an answer to a question.
1. Use a password management service: Consumer-grade password management tools are insufficient for business cybersecurity. If you manage multiple user accounts for your business, using a password management service is essential. This will allow you to generate strong, unique passwords for each account and keep track of them all (for each of your employees) in one central location. Our team provides a hands-free password management solution that helps you access your daily workflow and securely protect your data.
2. Use two-factor authentication: As mentioned above, two-factor authentication is an excellent way to add an extra layer of security to your business accounts. In addition to using a password management service, consider enabling 2FA for all accounts.
3. Educate your employees: One of the most important things you can do to improve your password security is to educate your employees about best password practices. Ensure they use our enterprise-class password management service for all business-related access credentials.
Our password management service delivers cutting-edge password best practices to your business. Here’s how it works.
1. Password generation: Our software helps you generate strong, unique passwords for employees’ online accounts. This can be a huge time-saver, and you don’t have to remember multiple complex passwords; the password manager will do that for you.
2. Password storage: We store your passwords in a secure location. This can be useful if you ever need to reset your password.
3. Password recovery: If you forget your password, we can help you recover it. This is an essential service, as it can prevent you from losing access to your account and all the data stored within it.
4. Password rotation: It’s essential to change your passwords regularly. This keeps them fresh and makes it more difficult for hackers to guess them.
Using our password management system, you can help ensure that your access credentials follow cybersecurity best practices and are easy to use.
Are you looking for a password management solution for your business? Find out how our managed password services can work for you. We’ll help you keep your passwords safe and available so you can focus on running and growing your business.