During the recent Equifax security breach, startling news came to light: in their Argentina offices, the user database had “admin” as both the username and password. Do you know someone who still uses “password” as their password? Too many users take their security for granted. Even if they don’t make rookie mistakes, a large portion of the computer-using population records all of their passwords in one location such as a text document on their desktop or a note on the phone. Understandable when you consider that seemingly every website wants you to have an account. When working with a business, password management systems provide MSP security to keep your client safe.
Why Password Management Works
Perhaps most appealing to clients, password management offers convenience. These systems work across platforms. It means they use whatever OS or device they like. Having this flexibility allows clients to set up a single space for the myriad passwords and access codes they need to remember.
Complicated passwords are essential in today’s security-focused world. You can’t rely on your dog’s name or your favorite football team’s mascot to protect your sensitive information from the outside world. With a single management system, clients can set up complex passwords. You can randomize these and use them across all accounts. You don’t have to worry about remembering the complicated strings of letters and numbers, either. Password software saves everything in one convenient location.
Encryption ensures that data always stays safe. In the event of a software breach, passwords and account information have an added layer of security to deter hackers. Most password management systems keep your data in an encrypted vault requiring multi-step authentication for access.
Password management tools are the safest way to keep all of your sensitive account information in one place. Too many people use suspect methods for saving their logins. They keep sticky notes at their desks or save a document on their computer. Neither offers anything even remotely resembling security. All someone has to do is open the file or see the note to compromise everything.
Why Password Management Doesn’t Work
Despite the benefits they offer, password management systems aren’t without their drawbacks. The one which security experts cite most often deals with keeping so much data in one place. It is a single point of failure. If hackers compromise one account, then they compromise all others. Instead of gaining access to your social media profile, malicious persons breach your MSP security and have all the information they want.
Software vulnerabilities affect the utility of a password management system. Like all other programs, there exist weaknesses in software. These weaknesses might have catastrophic effects if exploited. Hackers can breach backdoor access to software and gather data. Though they encrypt data, password managers cannot protect your passwords after retrieval from the system.
The presence of a password manager acts as a glaring target on your computer. Hackers no longer need to guess where you store your sensitive information. They can skip tedious phishing schemes across dozens of accounts. All they need to do is find a script to trick you into logging into your password manager. Getting your information may not be easy per se, but having it all together in one application makes it easier find.
Use of password management systems for MSP security remains a hot topic of debate. Experts in the fields of technology argue. Opinions vary. Like all software, these systems are not without their security risks. However, they provide a great deal of incentive to those looking for convenience and security. As the technological landscape continues to evolve, you can expect hackers to follow suit. Securing your clients’ data is of the utmost importance.