Published 2022-07-13 by TechNet New England
The average business user manages dozens of passwords across email, cloud services, line-of-business applications, vendor portals, and more. Without a password manager, the reality is that people reuse passwords, write them on sticky notes, or use simple variations that are easy to guess.
The Problem
Password reuse is one of the most common causes of account compromise. When credentials are stolen from one service in a data breach, attackers try those same credentials on other services. If your employee used the same password for a personal shopping site and their business email, a breach at the shopping site puts your business at risk.
How Password Managers Help
- Unique passwords everywhere: Generates and stores a unique, complex password for every account
- No memorization required: Users only need to remember one master password
- Auto-fill: Passwords are automatically filled in, which is actually faster than typing
- Secure sharing: Shared accounts can be managed securely without emailing passwords
- Breach alerts: Many password managers notify you if a stored credential appears in a known breach
Business vs Personal Password Managers
Business password managers add features that personal versions lack:
- Centralized administration: IT can manage policies, view security reports, and handle onboarding/offboarding
- Shared vaults: Teams can share passwords for shared accounts without revealing the actual password
- Access controls: Different levels of access for different roles
- Audit logs: Track who accessed what and when
- Directory integration: Sync with Active Directory or Azure AD
Popular Business Options
- 1Password Business: Excellent user experience, strong security, good sharing features
- Bitwarden: Open-source, very affordable, self-hosting option available
- Keeper: Strong enterprise features, good compliance reporting
Ready to implement a password manager for your team? Contact us for help choosing and deploying the right solution.