Corporate password security is not limited to password complexity. Effective protection requires inventorying all accounts, including those for VPNs, cloud services, and third-party contractors, while categorizing them into user, privileged, service, and external accounts.
Privileged accounts require unique, complex passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and strict activity logging. Administrators should use separate accounts for administrative tasks to minimize the impact of potential compromises.
Standard password policies often fail because employees reuse or slightly modify passwords. Instead, companies should prioritize password length, uniqueness, and the use of password managers, while avoiding mandatory frequent rotation that encourages predictable patterns.
Password managers must be chosen carefully to ensure that administrators cannot access user secrets. Security architecture should prioritize client-side encryption and the separation of administrative duties from secret access.
MFA should be prioritized for critical systems like VPNs, email, and administrative panels. Furthermore, password security must be integrated with HR processes to ensure timely access revocation for departing employees and contractors.
Companies should track key security metrics, such as the percentage of employees using corporate password managers, the number of secrets found in plain text, and the time taken to revoke access after termination.
