Why Secure Password Sharing is Important
By KeJuan Carter - eGuide Systems Manager
When it comes to threats to cybersecurity, human error is most often the main cause. It’s obvious to most people that they should not share personal information like social security, credit card and ID numbers, but many of those same people are surprisingly lax when it comes to protecting their passwords. How many people have you shared your Netflix or WiFi password with? Of course there are people out there who are looking for ways to access sensitive information, but the reality is that people tend to use some variation of the same password therefore making it very easy to guess. This is especially dangerous when those passwords provide access to sensitive information in a business setting.
Cybersecurity Starts with Good Habits
Sharing passwords within a company is often crucial for a business to function. But if your business handles a lot of personal information, especially information that belongs to clients or customers, a data breach can be devastating and very costly. Cybersecurity attacks are increasing at an alarmingly steady pace with global attacks increasing by 28% in the third quarter of 2022, according to CheckPoint Research. Credential Theft is at the top of the list for the most common method of cybersecurity attacks followed closely by phishing emails. How can businesses (and individuals) protect their digital assets in a post-pandemic world when more people than ever are conducting their personal and business transactions online?
Using a Password Management platform like LastPass, 1Password, or Keeper is a good place to start when protecting your company’s digital assets. A Password Management platform uses encryption technology that can help you create secure, hard to crack passwords, safely store your passwords and sensitive information, and allows you to share those digital assets securely. Using a password management platform will make it unnecessary to store passwords locally on any one device. Should your laptop or mobile device be stolen or damaged, your passwords will still be protected and accessible when you log back into the platform.
Multifactor Authentication is a MUST
Another way to protect your digital assets is to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) on all frequently visited websites whenever possible. MFA is a method of cyber security that requires a second source of validation before granting access to an account. That extra layer of security will be your first line of defense in case your password is compromised. Adding an extra step to log into your most visited websites may stir up feelings of frustration when you’re in a hurry or if you are someone who, routinely, logs out of all accounts. However, after you’ve turned on MFA and logged into your accounts, you will only need to go through the process again if you logout of an account or log into a computer or device that you don’t normally work on.
Security is Peace of Mind
Sharing passwords is a necessary function of business in today’s world, but doing so safely and securely is more important than ever. Give yourself and your clients (or customers) peace of mind by making sure sensitive information is safeguarded using a password management platform and multi-factor authentication.
Click the links to learn more about Password Management or Multi-factor authentication.
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