Do you know that 555 million+ passwords have been exploited on the dark net since 2017, according to CNET? That’s 555 million chances for organizations to experience breaches, attacks and hacks. This alone is just one of the reasons why changing your password on a regular basis is vital to your organization’s cybersecurity strategy.
The problem?
Often, changing your password isn’t enough. When team members choose to use “easy-to-remember” prompts (i.e., a child’s name, a pet’s name or a birthday), this opens you up to further exploits as these are easy to guess. This begs the question: what can organizations do to implement and maintain best practices around password use?
We’re here to answer that question—as well as to offer insight that can help you take charge of your organization’s password policies. Read on to learn more.
Best practices for passwords in 2023
Does your organization have a set password policy? If not—it may be time to create one. Standardizing your brand’s approach to this arm of cybersecurity can save you costs associated with breach and collapse, and it can also be a helpful proactive approach to defend your network from the inside.
In that password policy, it’s helpful to have guidelines, such as best-use practices and compliance measures. We’ve listed a few top options below.
1. Mandate multi-factor authentication
Multi-factor authentication, or MFA, should be mandated on every single device that connects to your network. Finances Online has determined that 99.99% of all attacks are halted by MFA, if it is properly and securely in place. Imagine that kind of success rate without any other best practices in place!
2. Use a password manager
While many may have mixed feelings about the security of a password manager, there are safe options out there that can help you to mitigate abuse risks. Without a preventative option in place, your team members may turn to other, less-safe options—such as phone notes, Post-Its or other items that could be found and abused.
3. Set high-level requirements
Although it can be inconvenient, the more password requirements you have, the safer your system is. You can require a range of different parameters, such as:
- A mix of capital and lowercase letters
- Numbers
- Special characters (such as *, !, ?)
- Avoidance of common terms (such as name elements, birthdays/dates, etc.)
Forcibly diversifying password entries from the top down can create a much safer cyber atmosphere, and can be a helpful step toward keeping your network protected.
Personalized cybersecurity strategies are just a click away
Are you looking for extra support in the cybersecurity arena? The thought of creating a foolproof strategy can be overwhelming—especially when you consider the pace at which the industry is evolving. That’s why you need experts you can count on to take this on for you, leaving you with a done-for-you strategy that’s tailored to your organization’s needs. Ready for more? To start today, connect with us online or give us a call at 651.407.8555. We look forward to speaking with you soon!
