Importance of password security in business
Though there are no particular differences between cyberattacks committed against individuals and businesses, companies are more prone to threats than home users for a simple reason: data acquired from companies is more valuable. From a hacker’s point of view, stealing from an individual isn’t that exciting. In the case of a company, all it takes is for a single employee to have bad password hygiene, fall for phishing, or leave the computer unprotected against malware, and the ensuing domino effect could compromise the entire business. Granted, it isn’t always employees’ fault that company data gets stolen, but there is no denying that most business cybersecurity breaches are direct consequences of human negligence. Combine this with the constant threats lurking around the internet, and you’ll have a Mount St. Helen ready to sweep everything away in an instant.
Since people can and will make errors, making them understand that maintaining good password hygiene isn’t just for the company’s sake but for their own as well, is the most important thing to do where ensuring a company’s cybersecurity. If simple tools like password managers are involved, this can become totally manageable.
Securely sharing passwords and sensitive data
The best thing about password managers is that whatever information is stored in their vaults remains secure all the time – at least on a local level. However, the vast majority of password management solutions also provide the same level of encryption when syncing between devices and, more importantly, when credentials are shared with others with the program. This way, it ensures that logins – and many other types of highly sensitive data like credit cards, software licenses, wireless network details, etc. – never leave the safe environment of the password manager and, therefore, are only seen by those who use the same program for managing their passwords.
For that reason alone, password sharing isn’t for individuals, but for those who regularly have to share accounts and need to get access codes without disclosing them to unwanted people or worse: cybercriminals. In other words, this feature is mostly for family members and employees whose company requires them to use the same password manager. However, note that using the same app has significance here; password sharing only works if it’s done within the same environment, meaning that forwarding credentials to another password manager isn’t possible without exposing them.
Productivity gains with a password manager
Aside from the security aspect of using password managers, there is one thing many people overlook when business password management comes up, and that’s how these tools improve productivity. The most obvious benefit of using password managers is that the time it takes to log into business accounts is significantly reduced thanks to the app’s automated password filling capabilities. Employees avoid looking up tens if not hundreds of passwords manually, not to mention that they never ever have to come up with and then memorize strong logins either.
What’s more important, however, is that with business password managers, employees are given the necessary tools to safely store their personal and business credentials while still being kept under control by employers via the admin control panel. And since workers are part of the same system, they can easily share information with each other, which is not only more effective but also prevents them from breaking the law by disclosing sensitive data outside the password manager’s encrypted environment. And then there’s the fact that these programs are cross-platform, providing convenience and advanced protection on all devices that they’re installed on.
Company password policies and best practices
Despite being useful, password managers are just the first step in achieving full protection against wrongdoers. In order to make sure workers do everything in their power not to make their accounts an easy target for wrongdoers, enforcing a password policy is crucial. Creating such a policy can be a challenge – maybe less so if a password manager is involved – but by studying good and bad examples alike, anyone can get the hang of coming up with their own set of rules for their company. In fact, if the business’s password policy is straightforward about the rules and treats employees like the responsible adults they are, then it already meets the most important requirements of a good password policy.
However, password managers and password policies are just a part of the whole cybersecurity picture. For the fullest of protection against all kinds of threats, installing other solutions like antiviruses and VPNs is also highly recommended. Although having so many internet security apps may seem like overkill, they are just as easily operated as password managers, plus they work in the background and so become invisible guardian angels battling against the hordes of cybercriminals.
Richárd Z.
Mary P.
