Strong passwords – difficult to think of, difficult to crack

Everyone has difficulties with coming up with strong passwords. And with good reason, as we have more and more accounts for both business and personal use, and the requirements for a strong password seem to get stricter and stricter. But these strict requirements are there for a good reason!

The Question
Passwords are the access to your email, your digital workplace and all your accounts online and therefore a favorite target of criminals. Which is why Awareways have asked 40.000 people in various organizations (and across several of our ongoing security awareness programs) if they find coming up with passwords difficult.

They have divided them into small-, mid-size and large entities according to the number of employees (<750, 751-2500 and >2.500, respectively). Overall, 47.3 % in small organizations found it difficult, while as much as 61.1% in large organizations admitted to finding it tough as well. Mid-sized organizations were in the middle with 52.1%. What’s the logic behind these numbers?

The Answer
Well, large organizations usually have more apps and infrastructure, and require more authentications, making password management all the more complex.

Employees in small organizations meanwhile are more used to coming up with passwords, because they lack such facilities, and thus have more ‘practice’. Or, if we’re taking a more cynical approach, the requirements for strong passwords haven’t permeated to small organizations. They can come up with easy-to-remember ones, and have less difficulties.

Whatever the reasons, any organization should be aware of the risks of weak passwords, and offer their employees both guidance and help in keeping their credentials safe.

For more insights visit: Awareways.com/nieuws/