Businesses can expect to pay approximately $4.5 million for a single data breach. This includes costs incurred from downtime, missed opportunities, etc. Something as simple as a compromised password can lead to situations like these, which is why it’s essential to maintain a secure password policy.
The good news is that using the right strategy is much simpler than most people anticipated. We created a brief guide with the key information you need to know. Let’s explore what you should consider to protect yourself in the future.
Don’t Neglect Password Length
Short passwords are far easier to guess than extensive ones. For maximum security, it is recommended that you use a password with at least 12 characters.
Keep in mind that excessive characters past a number will have diminishing returns. This means that a 30-character password isn’t always notably more secure than a 12-character password.
Use Unique Characters
Limiting your password to letters and numbers carries the risk of compromise. Using unique characters makes your password exponentially more difficult to guess.
Ideally, you use a combination of special characters, letters, and numbers. To take things a step further, you can use a complex combination. Consider using a password manager, which is a system that uses a master password to store randomly generated passwords for different accounts.
Don’t Include Personal Information
When you include personal information in your password, it is far easier for people to know you and compromise your accounts. For example, let’s assume your password consists of your dog’s name followed by the year you were born.
If your coworkers know this information, it’s possible for them to successfully guess this combination. The password should be completely unrelated to anything of value. A great way to get started is by using random words and numbers.
Use a Random Order
Ensure that the elements of your password aren’t in sequential order. A sequence like “3412” is much safer than “1234.” Many platforms won’t let you use sequential elements.
They also won’t let you use consecutive numbers, as these have the same security issues. Always use random order when creating your passwords, as it’s a fast way to increase your password security.
Don’t Reuse Old Passwords
Hackers are constantly procuring sensitive information from databases. This includes lists of thousands of leaked passwords.
As time passes, it becomes more likely that a previously used password was compromised in a data leak. Reusing these passwords can severely diminish your account’s security.
Implement the Right Secure Password Policy
Using the proper secure password policy for your organization can help prevent data breaches. This guide’s information will help you get started on the right track and avoid pitfalls.
Pegasus Technologies tailors its approach to the individual needs of our clients. This allows us to achieve stellar results while maximizing the client experience.
We have locations in Kennett Square, Media, and Wayne, PA. Book a call with us today to learn more about how we can help your business.
