Password Best Practices and Cybersecurity Services That Keep Your Data and Network Secure
Did you know the average person has over 100 passwords? That number seems high at first, but when you think about every device, account, and system that requires authorization, it quickly adds up. Although cybersecurity services are effective in safeguarding banking access, social media accounts, and business platforms, a weak password is the equivalent of leaving your digital front door wide open. After examining why passwords are important, we’ll cover the best practices of strong password creation. Businesses whose employees use personal passwords to access work-related platforms also can bolster their organization’s defenses by contacting a managed IT service provider for workforce IT security training.Why Are Strong Passwords Important?
Strong passwords are a simple yet effective way to protect your accounts from cyber threats. Weak or easily guessable passwords increase the likelihood of unauthorized access, lost or stolen data, and security incidents. Strong passwords, on the other hand, proactively prevent IT security issues and help maintain business continuity.Strong Passwords Prevent Unauthorized Access
Weak passwords make it easy for hackers to access your accounts. A strong password reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access, keeping your personal and professional data safe.Strong Passwords Protect Against Fraud
Cybercriminals often target financial accounts, social media profiles, or email accounts with weak passwords to commit fraud or identity theft. Creating strong passwords helps to protect your identity and financial well-being.Strong Passwords Secure Important Business Assets
Weak passwords jeopardize sensitive company information, including client data, proprietary information, and financial records. Cybersecurity service providers recommend implementing strong passwords as part of a broader IT strategy, as this greatly reduces the risk of data loss or theft.Strong Passwords Reduce the Risk Of Security Breaches
Security breaches often start with compromised passwords. By using strong passwords, you reduce the chances of a breach that exposes your company’s data or causes reputational harm. When combined with cybersecurity as a service, strong passwords form a robust barrier against malicious activities.Complement Your Cybersecurity Services With Strong Password Creation
Creating strong passwords is both an art and a science. The best passwords are complex, unique, and memorable to you, but difficult for others to guess. Apply these password best practices:Make Your Password Long and Complex
The longer your password, the harder it is to crack. According to Microsoft, a strong password is:- At least 12 characters long.
- A combination of numbers, symbols, and uppercase and lowercase letters.
- Not the name of a character, product, person, organization, or word in the dictionary.
- Different from your other passwords.
- Easy for you to remember.
Avoid Using Common Words or Phrases
Avoid using easily guessable words, phrases, or patterns like “password,” “qwerty,” or “Admin123.” Steer clear of using personal information, such as your name, birthdate, or address, as social engineering tactics can discover these details.Use Passphrases Instead Of Single Words
Creating a passphrase is often more secure and easier to remember than a single word with numbers and symbols. A passphrase is a series of unrelated words or phrases strung together, which many find easier to remember while remaining highly secure.Strong Password Example: Sunset!Beach#Butterfly7Horse
Avoid Sequential or Repeated Characters
Avoid using sequential characters like “1234” or “abcd,” as these are easy to guess. Likewise, avoid repeated characters or simple patterns like “aaaa” or “1212.”Use Unique Passwords For Different Accounts
Never use a password more than once. If one account is compromised, recycled passwords puts other accounts at risk. Create unique passwords for each account, especially for banking or work-related platforms.Regularly Update Your Passwords
Change your passwords every few months, especially for sensitive accounts. Regular updates help reduce the risk of a compromised password being used against you in the future. If a platform or website you use experienced failure of their cybersecurity services and were hacked, change your password. This step is applicable if you:- Have an account with them.
- Have provided them with personal information in the past.
- Use a device the company makes or provides service for.
- Are advised to do so by the company or through trusted media outlets.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Enabling two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your password. By requiring a second form of verification, such as a text message code or authentication app, hackers have a much harder time accessing accounts. Even if a hacker somehow got your password, it’s useless without your personal device for the second layer of authentication.Additional Cybersecurity Services to Protect Your Accounts
Providers of cybersecurity in Kansas City support organizations using services that scale to the needs of their workforce and IT infrastructure. Cybersecurity as a service includes:- Establishing strong security policies that include password management, data encryption, and network security protocols.
- Workforce IT security training to help them recognize potential cybersecurity threats.
- Updating software, operating systems, and applications to proactively address vulnerabilities hackers can exploit.
- Maintaining network security so only authorized parties can access the system’s data and resources.
- Continuously monitoring for suspicious activity and cyber threats.
- Creating data backups on remote servers or on the cloud.