7 Simple Password Security Upgrades You Can Implement Today

1. Identity and Access Management (IAM). Automated identity and access management solutions improve security and provide administrators more control over users' access to systems.
   
   In turn, IAM enables firms to avoid identity theft, reduce data loss, and prevent unauthorized access to important corporate data.
2. Educate personnel on best practices. Remind workplace personnel not to write passwords down on sticky notes. Tell employees not to save passwords in browsers because a variety of spyware and addons can steal valuable information from them.
   
   Inform staff about the dangers of using the same password repeatedly, with different digits at the end. Explain that hackers understand that users frequently end passwords with exclamation marks. Reinforce the risks of exchanging login credentials.
   
   These are only a few specific, but incredibly significant, topics about which to train staff.
3. Limit the amount of password attempts. While it is true that employees may periodically forget their passwords, cyber thieves are more likely to exploit access attempt possibilities for personal benefit.
   
   In a classic example, a cybercriminal might steal an employee's email account and then request a password reset. Depending on how the reset is configured, the cyber criminal may attempt to match the recovered password to a range of different accounts and systems in order to get access.
   
   Limiting the number of authorized password attempts improves password security because it minimizes the likelihood that someone will successfully manipulate systems by matching a password and username.
4. Check systems for extraneous employee accounts. Employees occasionally create backdoor access to computer systems for legitimate reasons by creating several user accounts.
   
   The extra accounts allow employees to do additional task functions for the company. However, if an individual who has numerous accounts for a single service leaves the firm, the accounts may be used as access points for unlawful entry into network systems.
   
   Organizations should examine network infrastructure whenever possible and remove unnecessary accounts.
5. Think about password management tools. Nowadays, the majority of web browsers feature rudimentary password managers. However, they do not provide as much benefit as specialist password managers.
   
   Password managers generate very strong passwords. Some password managers additionally enable passwordless authentication, which means that users can login using a one-time code, biometric authentication, a security key, or Passkeys.
   
   While there is no perfect password management system, password managers can be an effective support mechanism inside a larger cyber security architecture.
6. Ensure that two-factor authentication has been enabled. Two-factor authentication, often known as multi-factor authentication, complicates the login process, making it more difficult for a cyber criminal to gain unauthorized access to an account.
   
   Two-step authentication improves the overall resilience of digital identities while also fostering a cyber security culture, as it requires users to actively participate in reinforcing their online presence.
   
   Nowadays, two-factor authentication is regarded as an essential component of a strong password security strategy.
7. Advanced anomaly detection systems. These systems can detect abnormal trends in login behavior. These include irregular access timings, duplicate access, and logins from unknown locales.
   
   Administrators can set up relevant alerts and notifications. Personnel should check and analyze system logs on a regular basis, and they are urged to take proactive measures to resolve any apparent concerns.

Source: Cybertalk.org