A strong password is often the only thing standing between a business and a serious cyberattack. For small businesses like yours, the consequences of weak security can be especially severe, ranging from financial loss to reputational damage. World Password Day is a timely reminder of the role passwords play in protecting your operations, but it’s also important to remember that good security habits need to be practiced year-round.
So, what practical steps can you take to strengthen the security of your business passwords? Let’s start with some fundamental changes you can make right now.
Implement a password policy
A clear password policy ensures all employees understand the standards for creating and maintaining secure passwords, reducing the risk of human error and weak credentials. A well-defined policy also provides a framework for consistent enforcement and facilitates easier onboarding of new team members.
Your password policy should include guidelines for:
- Password length and complexity: Specify a minimum number of characters (e.g., 12–15 or more) to make passwords harder to crack. Also, require passwords that are a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to increase password strength. Or, use passphrases. Passphrases are easy-to-remember sequences of words that, unlike random strings of characters, are easier to remember while still providing strong protection against unauthorized access.
- Prohibited password practices: Discourage the use of personal information, common words, and sequential numbers or letters. Also, remind your teams not to fall into the trap of using the same password for all accounts. Even making small changes to existing passwords for new accounts should be avoided, as this still leaves them vulnerable to brute force attacks.
- Secure storage and handling: Instruct employees never to write down or share passwords. Tell them to think of their passwords as the keys to their homes. They would never leave those lying around or hand them out casually, and they should treat their login credentials with the same care.
Related reading: Hack-proof your passwords with the latest NIST password guidelines
Use a password manager
With the average person juggling numerous online accounts these days, password managers have become an indispensable tool for both convenience and security. Password managers generate and store strong, unique passwords for all your accounts. They take the burden off your team and bolster your defenses. In fact, some of the best password managers today offer security features such as password strength analysis and breach monitoring, providing an extra layer of protection for your business accounts.
Consider biometric authentication
Given the prevalence of smartphones and devices equipped with biometric features, leveraging biometric authentication for enhanced security makes perfect sense. Fingerprint or facial recognition adds a physical element to your login process, acting as a strong second verification factor or even a replacement for traditional passwords. Plus, this approach is faster and more convenient than typing in passwords, streamlining your workflow and saving valuable time.
Enable multifactor authentication (MFA)
Wherever possible, make it standard practice to enable MFA, which requires two or more verification steps for all logins. This makes it much harder for hackers to access your company accounts and resources even if they somehow get their hands on one of your passwords.
Educate your employees
Make sure everyone on your team understands the importance of strong passwords and how to create them. Ongoing training can significantly reduce your risk of phishing attacks and data breaches by fostering a culture of security awareness. Your training sessions are also a good time to update employees on any changes to your password policy as well as emerging threats related to password security.
Strong passwords are your first and most powerful tool against cyberthreats. Empower yourself and your team by adopting these password security best practices and building a more secure digital environment.
For more information on how you can further enhance your cybersecurity posture, contact TEKZYS. Our cybersecurity experts are ready to provide tailored solutions and comprehensive support.