If you run a business, making sure your data remains secure is essential for success. Whether you’re expecting an influx of new customers or just protecting old ones, password security should be one of your top priorities. Unfortunately, many small businesses have outdated habits when it comes to passwords — from using basic combinations like “1234” to infrequently changing them. To better illustrate the importance of strong passwords and safe online behavior, here are 5 key statistics, as per David Skriloff, every business owner should know about password security.
David Skriloff Lists Password Statistics That Small Businesses Should Know
1. 68% of hourly employees use the same password for both work and personal accounts: According to David Skriloff, this statistic highlights the importance of having a secure password policy in place for small businesses. Employees who use the same password across different platforms are significantly more vulnerable to cyber attacks, as hackers can easily gain access to multiple accounts with just one set of credentials. Small businesses should emphasize the need for employees to use unique passwords and regularly update them to ensure their networks remain secure.
2. 88% of U.S.-based organizations have experienced a data breach due to weak passwords: Weak passwords are one of the primary culprits behind successful cyberattacks, so it’s essential that small businesses take steps to strengthen their employee’s passwords. Companies should consider implementing a password manager to make it easier for employees to generate and manage secure passwords, as well as enforcing regular password changes. It’s also important for businesses to educate their workers about best practices when it comes to creating and maintaining strong passwords.
3. 91% of users reuse previously exposed passwords: This statistic is particularly concerning, as it shows that many people still don’t realize the importance of using unique passwords for different accounts. Reusing a previously compromised password leaves your data vulnerable to hackers, so small businesses should encourage employees to create and regularly update their passwords with custom-made strings of text or numbers. Password managers can help streamline this process by automatically generating complex combinations of characters that are difficult for cybercriminals to guess.
4. 80% of data breaches are caused by weak or stolen passwords: Weak and stolen passwords can be particularly dangerous for small businesses, says David Skriloff, as they are often seen as easy targets for cybercriminals. To protect their networks from potential attacks, companies should ensure that all employees have strong, unique passwords and change them regularly. It’s also important to educate staff on the importance of password security, so they understand why it’s necessary to use secure credentials. Implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) is another great way to keep your data safe, as it requires an additional layer of verification when logging into accounts. Employers should strongly consider implementing 2FA across their networks in order to mitigate the risk of a breach.
David Skriloff’s Concluding Thoughts
Ultimately, small businesses should be aware of the potential risks posed by weak or stolen passwords. According to David Skriloff, implementing a secure password policy is essential to protecting your organization from cyber threats, so it’s important to take steps to ensure that employees are using strong and unique credentials for all accounts. Additionally, educating staff on best practices for creating and managing passwords is key to ensuring network security. By taking these steps, small businesses can protect their networks and prevent data breaches caused by weak or stolen passwords.