As the world becomes increasingly digitized, the risks associated with doing business online increase also. Cybercrime is on the rise, and law firms are among those targets.
Password security is essential to keeping your business safe, as 81% of security compromises occur because of easily guessed or stolen passwords from users.
Understanding ways to better protect your business from cyberattacks now will save you from major problems later.
What is a Password Policy?
A password policy is a set of rules that dictate how passwords must be created and used. These policies typically require that passwords are a certain length, include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, and contain at least one number or symbol.
Some other characteristics of a password policy might include requiring that passwords be changed every few months, not reusing passwords for different accounts, and not sharing passwords with anyone.
Other tips for creating a strong password include:
- using a passphrase instead of a word
- using a random string of characters
- using different passwords for different accounts
Are Law Firms a Target of Cybercriminals?
Law firms of all sizes are an attractive target to cybercriminals. This is because law firms have a wealth of sensitive information that can be used for financial gain or to gain an edge in a legal case. By implementing cybersecurity and password best practices, you can protect your firm from financial loss, reputation damage, and litigation.
How Does a Password Policy Help Protect Your Firm?
Employees are proven to be the weakest link in a company’s cybersecurity infrastructure. They may use easily guessed passwords, write down their passwords, or share them with others.
Data breaches sometimes occur when an employee’s login credentials are compromised. With the amount of passwords required for different accounts, it can be difficult to remember a password for everything.
There’s a tendency for users to reuse passwords, as one study shows that on average, an individual has over 200 different accounts each requiring a password.
By requiring strong and unique passwords, it makes it more difficult for hackers to gain access to your accounts and steal your data. Scheduling regular password changes helps to keep your accounts more secure by making it harder for hackers to continue using stolen or easily-guessed passwords.
Create a Password Policy
Creating a password policy is an easy, effective way to improve cybersecurity. Providing your company’s users with guidelines on what their passwords should consist of is a great way to bolster your cybersecurity.
Here are some general ideas to use when creating a password policy:
- Passwords should be a minimum of 8 characters
- Passwords should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols
- Passwords should be changed every 3 months
- Passwords should not be reused for different accounts
- Passwords should not be shared with anyone
- Passwords should be kept in a trusted, secure password management system
Keep Your Private Data Safe and Secure
Implementing a password policy is a trusted way to protect your business from cyberattacks and ensure that you’re not at risk of a data breach. Praxis can help your company safeguard your private data by assisting with all of your security needs. Contact us today for an assessment!
