Password protection is one of the most basic facets of cybersecurity, yet it is often overlooked. A single stolen credential can lead to data breaches, lost finances, and damaged trust, making it essential for your organization to prioritize password security. Three of the most important considerations are password managers, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and organizational policies. Together, these elements can provide a strong cyber defense and reduce your risk of cyberattacks.
1. Password Policies: The Foundation of Strong Security
Your organization’s password policies are integral to a strong security posture. Without clear guidelines for password creation and management, employees are likely to resort to poor practices that make their credentials easier to steal. An effective password policy should address the following concerns:
Complexity: Passwords should consist of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. Long strings of unrelated words add further complexity.
Length: Longer passwords are more difficult to crack. A minimum length of 12 characters is recommended.
History and Reuse: Employees should not reuse previous passwords, or use the same one across multiple sites.
Easily Guessable Passwords: Employees must never use personal information, such as names, birthdays, or simple patterns like “1234” or “password1.”
Password Resets: All passwords should be changed in the event of a suspected breach or hack.
By implementing strong policies, you can set clear expectations for your employees and encourage password best practices.
2. MFA: A Critical Next Step
Even with a solid password policy in place, accounts may still be compromised. This is where MFA comes in, adding extra security by requiring users to provide two or more forms of verification. MFA typically involves:
Something you know (a password or PIN),
Something you have (a mobile device or security token),
Something you are (biometrics such as a fingerprint or facial recognition).
This ensures that even if a password is compromised, threat actors cannot access the account without the second means of authentication.
3. Password Managers: Simplifying Password Security
While it is essential to enforce password best practices and implement MFA, you will also need to empower your employees to act on these changes. The difficulty of trying to remember dozens of strong, unique passwords is the root cause of the weak practices that so often result in a breach. You can solve this problem using a password manager, which stores credentials on behalf of employees.
Some advantages include:
Password Generation: Password managers can help create complex, random passwords that are difficult to guess.
Simplified Access: Only one master password is required to access the manager. From there, all other credentials will be autofilled, allowing employees to use strong passwords without being locked out of their accounts.
Secure Storage: Password managers use encryption to protect stored credentials, providing additional security.
The Power of the Password Security Trifecta
While no tool or practice can guarantee absolute security, your organization can get very close by combining security solutions and creating a multi-layered defense. These three tools together address some of the most common vulnerabilities:
Password policies educate your employees on best practices.
MFA adds a safety net, in case credentials are compromised.
Password managers solve the root cause behind poor practices, encouraging staff to use more secure methods.
Adopting all three of these solutions is a practical and effective way to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and protect sensitive data.
Improve Your Security Practices With Expert Guidance
Passwords have become such an integral part of the digital experience that many organizations forget just how important they are as a security measure. Weak password practices can very easily lead to enormous data breaches that may take years to fully recover from. By combining some simple security measures and creating a layered password protection strategy, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing a cyberattack.
The experts at CTS are ready to help you prepare for cyber threats, with comprehensive cybersecurity services designed to arm your organization against threat actors. We discover your biggest vulnerabilities, and develop strategies to help you turn them into strengths. Learn how our cybersecurity services can help your organization create a safer future.
