Password Best Practices

Password Best Practices

12 Password Best Practices Every Business Should Follow

In today’s highly digital business environment, technology is unavoidable. While it gives organizations a competitive edge, it also introduces new security challenges—making cybersecurity more important than ever.

Password protection is one of the most effective starting points for strengthening cybersecurity. Passwords control access to sensitive data and systems, but because they’re used so frequently, their importance is often overlooked. Careless password habits can lead to serious security breaches.

This makes it essential for businesses to educate employees on password best practices.

6 Password “Don’ts”

Protect the confidentiality of your passwords by avoiding these common mistakes:

1. Don’t write passwords on sticky notes

Writing passwords down may feel safer, but it makes them easier to steal locally—especially in shared or public workspaces.

2. Don’t save passwords in your browser

Browsers are poor at protecting sensitive information. Malware, browser extensions, and compromised software can easily extract saved passwords.

3. Don’t iterate passwords (e.g., PowerWalker1 → PowerWalker2)

Password iteration is a predictable pattern. Sophisticated attackers can crack these variations quickly.

4. Don’t reuse the same password across multiple accounts

Using one password everywhere gives cybercriminal a single key to unlock all your accounts.

5. Don’t capitalize only the first letter to meet complexity rules

Hackers know this common habit, making it easier to guess the location of the capital letter.

6. Don’t use “!” just to meet the symbol requirement

If you must use it, avoid placing it at the end. Using symbols unpredictably improves password strength.

6 Password “Do’s”

Strengthen your password security by following these best practices:

1. Create long, phrase-based passwords

Use passphrases and substitute letters with numbers and symbols.
Example:
“Honey, I shrunk the kids” → h0ney1$hrunkth3k!d$

2. Change critical passwords every three months

Passwords protecting sensitive data should be updated frequently to reduce exposure.

3. Change less critical passwords every six months

Even non-critical passwords should be rotated regularly to minimize risk.

4. Use multifactor authentication (MFA)

Adding extra authentication layers significantly reduces the chance of unauthorized access.

5. Use passwords longer than eight characters

Strong passwords should include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols—the more complex, the better.

6. Use a password manager

Password managers securely store credentials and eliminate the need to remember multiple complex passwords.

Need Help Managing Passwords?

Following password best practices requires ongoing attention and discipline. Partnering with an expert managed service provider (MSP) like us can help simplify the process while strengthening your overall security posture.

Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation and let us help protect your organization with smarter password management.