The first Thursday in May marks World Password Day every year, and this year it falls on 6 May 2021.
Let’s be honest – the humble password is often something that’s easy to overlook when it comes to cybersecurity.
However, without a good policy in place for picking strong, secure passwords, businesses open themselves up to all kinds of phishing attacks.
The idea of an international awareness day, then, actually makes sense!
National Day Today has some useful information about why World Password Day was added to the calendar.
But, how can IT Solution Providers and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) use World Password Day to raise their clients awareness of cybersecurity?
Why a Password Policy is Essential
When it comes to security, it’s a fact that the biggest risk to your business is not from outside hackers, but from the people inside it.
Staff need to be aware of the dangers of using the same password for everything and not following security protocols.
Remind them, too, not to click on suspicious links or to share their password with others.
A general security policy will help to keep your networks and systems safe, and as an MSP, it’s a good idea to talk through this with your clients.
The NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) recommends supporting users to come up with passwords that are harder to guess.
However, the NCSC also highlight the need for this to be natural and not a burden for the staff.
As a result, it’s worth reading the NCSCs guidance on Password policy: updating your approach.
Other Security Tips
The more information you can give to your clients, the better they’ll do with keeping their data safe. And hopefully make things easier for you!
- Never use personal information! People want to pick things they’ll remember, so they will often use significant dates, maiden names or pets for their password. These are easy to guess.
- Avoid real words if possible
- Consider using a generator tool
- Never write them down…
- …and change them regularly
- Use numbers, symbols and capital letters
- Longer is always better
- Try nonsensical phrases
What advice do you give your MSP clients around network security? Is there a particular tool you recommend them?
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Richard Tubb is one of the best-known experts within the global IT Managed Service Provider (MSP) community. He launched and sold his own MSP business before creating a leading MSP media and consultancy practice. Richard helps IT business owner’s take back control by freeing up their time and building a business that can run without them. He’s the author of the book “The IT Business Owner’s Survival Guide” and writer of the award-winning blog www.tubblog.co.uk
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Comments
4 thoughts on World Password Day: Advice for MSPs
ANUBHAB
1ST JUNE 2021 20:37:16
Yes, Richard, you have mentioned the exact points for securing passwords, these points everyone should know, thanks for this beautiful informative article, mate.
RICHARD TUBB
2ND JUNE 2021 12:49:43
Anubhab - thanks for the kind feedback and for your own awesome blog on gadgets and tech. :-)
GUZZBURY STUDIO
10TH AUGUST 2021 17:08:34
Hey Richard, thanks a lot for sharing this informative article. You have shared the most important points about secure passwords. These are the things that are generally ignored.
RICHARD TUBB
20TH AUGUST 2021 12:15:57
My pleasure! Thanks for the kind feedback. :-)