Did you know that the average password contains eight characters or less? That’s not secure—far from it! And yet, 90% of internet users are in fear of having their accounts hacked. If that’s the case, why aren’t people using more secure passwords?
The topic of passwords is a difficult one, especially when it comes to business. It’s not uncommon for employees to take the easy route and use the same one-or-two passwords across all their work accounts; they may even use the same passwords they use for their personal accounts.
Weak passwords are among the quickest ways to have your business hacked. Here are some ways to secure your business and prevent a data breach due to a weak password.
How to Create Strong Passwords
Password Managers
One of the main reasons employees will reuse a password is convenience. After all, remembering tens of passwords is a nearly impossible task, so it would make sense to use the same passwords—at least on the surface. But what if there was a way to grant your employees convenience and password security in one fell swoop?
Well, you can with password managers! Password managers offer businesses a way for employees to organize their passwords in a secure space: the “password locker.” Often, password managers come with integrated random password generators, so employees can generate a secure password and store it in the password locker. It’s convenient, it’s safe, and it’s much more secure due to the additional level of encryption to deter hackers.
Security Keys
Two-factor authentication has become a popular security trend in the past decade, and for a good reason. It allows employers to add an extra layer of security to work accounts for free. But most two-factor authentication services use a passcode sent to an employee’s account or phone—both methods which are vulnerable to cybercriminals.
Suppose you want to add an extra layer of security to your employees’ accounts but want something more secure than your run-of-the-mill two-factor authentication process. In that case, you can always use security keys.
Security keys are physical USB connectors that employees use to verify their identity. As long as the employee has their security key-locked uptight, their account is impenetrable. However, these keys can be expensive, so make sure you can afford security keys for all of your employees before adding them to your cybersecurity plan.
Other Ways to Improve Your Business’s Cybersecurity
Besides passwords and account verification methods, there are other ways you can keep your business safe. Below is an overview of options available to businesses.
Train Employees on Proper Cybersecurity Practices
The best way to ensure your business stays safe from cyber threats is by training your employees on proper cybersecurity. You’d be surprised by how many people put their safety and security on the line while on the internet; tons of people are willing to click on suspicious emails or unknowingly download compromised programs.
Enforcing proper cybersecurity practices within your business will ensure they stay secure, and in turn, keeping your company secure. Have them connect to a VPN to access the company network. Empower employees to create a strong password. Install filters on your network to prevent employees from accessing certain websites. There’s no shortage of ways you can help keep your employees safe.
Issue Work Devices to Employees
Mixing work data with personal data can lead to disaster. After all, an employee’s personal device likely lacks the same security setup as a work device. For that reason, you should—if possible—give your employees a work device, such as a laptop or phone, if they work from home.
This way, you won’t need to worry about employees putting confidential data at risk because they accidentally submitted a work file to social media.
Conclusion
All it takes is one cyberattack for a business to close its doors. Don’t let that business be yours. Train your employees, enforce proper cybersecurity, and do everything you can to ensure your business stays safe and secure.
