How to create secure passwords

Weak passwords are one of the biggest security risks toyour business.

Why?

Because cyber criminals are getting smarter than everbefore. If they manage to crack just one password, they could gain access to yoursensitive business data, financial information, or even gain control of yourentire system.

Cyber criminals use automated tools to guesspasswords, allowing them to try out millions of combinations in seconds. So, ifyou’re using something like “Password123” or “CompanyName2025”, you’repractically handing them the keys to your business.

A compromised password can lead to big issues, such as:

·       Data breaches

·       Financial losses

·       Identity theft

·       Reputation damage

But how do you create strong passwords without drivingyourself (and your team) mad?

Think of your password like a secret recipe, where onlyyou should know the ingredients. It should:

·       Be at least 14 characters long (the longer, thebetter)

·       Include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters

·       Contain a few numbers and symbols (like @, $, %, or &)

·       Not contain any common words or easily guessableinformation (like birthdays, names, or the word “password”)

Instead of using a single word, you could try apassphrase - a short, random sentence that only you would understand. Forexample, instead of “Sailing2025”, try something like“Coffee&CloudsAreGreat9!”. This is much harder to crack, yet still easy toremember.

You should also steer clear of these common mistakes:

·       Using personal info (your name, birthday, businessname, etc.)

·       Reusing the same passwords across multiple accounts

·       Using simple sequences (“123456” or “abcdef”)

·       Storing passwords in an easily accessible place (likea sticky note on your desk)

If remembering unique passwords for every accountsounds impossible, there is another option: Password managers. These generatestrong passwords, store them securely and autofill them for you.

With a password manager, you only need to remember onestrong master password for the manager app itself. The rest are encrypted andstored safely, reducing the risk of data breaches.

Even the strongest password isn’t foolproof, which iswhy multi-factor authentication (MFA) is also important. MFA requires a secondform of verification, like a one-time code sent to your phone or generated froman authentication app.

If you have employees accessing your business systems,it’s a good idea to have a password policy in place to explain your rules andwhy they’re important. This should include:

·       Unique passwords for each system and account

·       Regular security training on password best practices

·       Business-wide use of MFA for critical systems

·       Scanning for compromised passwords regularly

By making password security a priority, you can reducethe chances of a cyber attack creating a nightmare for your business.

And if you need help making your business more secure,get in touch.

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