In our fast-moving digital world, it’s critical to take password protection more seriously than ever.
As the custodian of your brand, it’s important to stay close to the latest cybersecurity methods to prevent any potential data breaches and reduce cyber security vulnerabilities.
Gone are the days of sharing password logins around ‘just to get the project done quickly’!
And with more staff working remotely or on contract, how you design your password security is critical to protecting your brand’s Intellectual Property.
Your current martech stack enables you to drive your marketing programs effectively for your business, but with all that technology a data breach could be catastrophic.
It’s not just ‘an IT thing’ anymore, as a marketing professional, you need to be crytal clear in setting password best practices and keeping passwords
locked down across your team.
Creating secure passwords is crucial for protecting sensitive information, especially for marketing managers and Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) who handle confidential client data.
Top 3 cyber security tips for strong passwords.
- Passwords should be over 12 characters long.
- Passwords should be a mix of lower case, upper case letter, numbers and characters.
- Passwords should be updated as frequently as practically possible.
This handy chart shows how quickly a simple password can be hacked and with a few simple changes, how you can create an unbreakable password.
There are some great password manager applications these days, such has LastPass, to help you keep everything locked down and assigned in one place. With each person having just 1 password with a LastPass login, you can simplify and manage all the individual software logins in once place much more easily.
Whether it be your Google passwords, your social media passwords (Facebook, Linkedin, Instagram, TikTok etc), your CRM passwords (Salesforce, HubSpot, etc.), your data mining tools, having a well-defined password security process in place is critical for robust computer security.
Here are the best recommendations for creating safe and secure passwords, supported by credible references:
1. Use a Long Password: Length is one of the most important factors in password security. A password should be at least 12 characters long to make it difficult for attackers to crack.
• Reference: According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), longer passwords are more secure against brute force attacks.
2. Include a Mix of Characters: Incorporate uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols to increase complexity.
• Reference: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommends using a combination of different character types to strengthen passwords.
3. Avoid Common Words and Patterns: Refrain from using easily guessable passwords such as “password,” “123456,” or personal information like names and birthdays.
• Reference: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises against using predictable passwords that can be easily guessed.
4. Use Passphrases: Consider using a passphrase, which is a sequence of random words that is easy to remember but hard to guess. For example, “correct horse battery staple.”
• Reference: NIST suggests using passphrases as they can be both secure and user-friendly.
5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enhance security by requiring a second form of verification, such as a code sent to your phone, in addition to your password.
• Reference: Microsoft recommends enabling 2FA to add an extra layer of security.
6. Use a Password Manager: Password managers generate and store complex passwords, reducing the need to remember multiple passwords.
• Reference: The FTC endorses the use of password managers to securely store and manage passwords.
7. Regularly Update Passwords: Change your passwords periodically and immediately if you suspect they have been compromised.
• Reference: The University of California, Berkeley, suggests regularly updating passwords to mitigate the risk of breaches.
8. Do Not Reuse Passwords: Ensure that each account has a unique password to prevent a single breach from compromising multiple accounts.
• Reference: CISA warns against reusing passwords as it increases vulnerability across multiple platforms.
By following these guidelines, marketing managers and CMOs can significantly enhance their password security, protecting sensitive marketing data and maintaining the integrity of their digital assets and precious IP.
The Australian Institute of Cyber Security (AICS), as Australia’s Peak Industry, Assurance and Education Body for the Cyber Security Profession, has some excellent resources and tips for best practice.
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES:
- NIST. (2017). Digital Identity Guidelines. Link: https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-3/sp800-63b.html
- CISA. (n.d.). Choosing and Protecting Passwords. Link: https://www.cisa.gov/uscert/ncas/tips/ST04-002
- FTC. (n.d.). Protecting Your Personal Information: Password Checklist. Link: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0009-computer-security
- Microsoft. (n.d.). Two-factor authentication. Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/security/business/identity-access-management/two-factor-authentication
- University of California, Berkeley. (n.d.). Password Security. Link: https://security.berkeley.edu/resources/best-practices-how-articles/password-best-practices
