Best Practices for Secure Password Management

One forgotten admin account can quietly become your company’s biggest security risk. Most breaches do not start with advanced hacking. They start with access nobody reviewed. ↳ An old vendor account ↳ A former employee with active permissions ↳ A shared admin password used for years The dangerous part? Everything looks normal until damage is already done. That is why strong PAM practices matter. Not as a compliance checkbox. As operational discipline around your company’s master keys. Here’s the simplest way to think about it: 1- Discover every privileged account You cannot protect accounts you do not know exist. Most companies find far more admin accounts than expected once they audit cloud systems, databases, SaaS tools, and internal platforms. 2- Limit access aggressively Not everyone needs permanent admin rights. ↳ Role-based access ↳ Time-limited permissions ↳ Department separation Small access decisions prevent massive exposure later. 3- Replace permanent admin access with JIT access Think visitor pass instead of permanent master key. Temporary access reduces the value of stolen credentials dramatically. 4- Record every privileged session When incidents happen, logs answer everything. ↳ Who accessed what ↳ What changed ↳ When it happened That visibility cuts investigation time fast. 5- Rotate credentials automatically Static passwords create silent risk. If shared admin credentials have not changed in years, attackers are hoping they stay that way. 6- Enforce MFA everywhere VPNs, cloud consoles, admin dashboards, production systems. Privileged access should never rely on passwords alone. 7- Review and certify access quarterly Projects end. Teams change. Permissions should not stay forever by default. Simple rule: No review = no continued access. PAM is not just a security tool. It is the process that protects the systems running your business. And the cost of ignoring it is always higher after a breach. ♻️ Repost if your company still has unchecked admin access risks 🔔 Follow Jegan for practical cybersecurity and identity security insights

Exciting updates to NIST SP 800-63B! The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is no longer recommending using a mixture of character types in passwords or regularly changing passwords. NIST's second public draft version of its password guidelines (SP 800-63-4) outlines technical requirements as well as recommended best practices for password management and authentication. The latest guidelines suggest that credential service providers (CSP) stop requiring users to set passwords that use specific types or characters and mandating periodic password changes (commonly every 60 or 90 days). Also, CSPs should stop using knowledge-based authentication or security questions when selecting passwords. Other recommendations include: Passwords should be of a minimum of 15 characters. CSPs should allow passwords of a maximum of at least 64 characters. CSPs should allow ASCII and Unicode characters to be included in passwords. When NIST first introduced its password recommendations (NIST 800-63B) in 2017, it recommended complexity: passwords comprising a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters. However, complex passwords are not always strong (i.e., "Password123!" or "q1@We3$Rt5"). And complexity meant users were making their passwords predictable and easy to guess, writing them down in easy-to-find places, or reusing them across accounts. In recent years, NIST has shifted its focus to password length, since longer passwords are harder to crack with brute-force attacks and can be easier for users to remember without being predictable. NIST also is now recommending password resets in the case of a credential breach only. Making people change passwords frequently has resulted in people choosing weaker passwords. https://lnkd.in/gxmFQBSZ #NIST #SP80063B #DigitalIdentityGuidelines #Authentication #AuthenticatorManagement

1. Immediately update credentials for critical services—including Apple, Google, Facebook, and email—due to the exposure of 16 billion compromised records. 2. Implement unique, high-entropy passwords or passkeys for all accounts, managed securely via an enterprise-grade password manager; eliminate credential reuse. 3. Use a vetted, encrypted password manager with zero-knowledge architecture to securely store and autofill credentials across devices. 4. Activate phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (e.g., FIDO2 security keys or TOTP-based apps) across all sensitive systems. 5. Continuously monitor breach detection platforms and account activity to proactively identify and mitigate unauthorized access.

🚨 Major Security Flaws Found in Leading Password Managers Bitwarden ~ LastPass ~ Dashlane ~ 1Password 27 attack scenarios identified by researchers from ETH Zürich & USI Università della Svizzera italiana 🔓 Some allow vault tampering 🔓 Some allow key substitution 🔓 Some potentially allow full compromise And yes… this challenges the 'zero knowledge' marketing line we’ve all heard! But before everyone throws their password manager in the bin 🗑️ let's all take a deep breath, as we've been here a few times before, haven't we?! 🔑 There is no evidence of active exploitation 🔑 Vendors were notified, fixes are underway 🔑 This was responsible academic disclosure The real lesson(s) here are that the encryption theory is clean... however, the implementation is messy!! Most of these weaknesses weren’t 'crypto is broken' they were actually; 🗝️ Weak key authentication 🗝️ Missing integrity binding 🗝️ Recovery flow exposure 🗝️ Legacy downgrade paths In other words... design decisions! This is what mature security looks like; 🔐 Researchers stress test the assumptions 🔐 Vendors patch 🔐 The ecosystem improves And here’s the part a lot of people won’t like... ⏸️ You are still far safer using a Password Manager + MFA than reusing passwords or storing them in Notes! ⏸️ Even with these findings, security is relative risk reduction and never about perfection!! If you use a password manager; ✅ Enable MFA ✅ Watch vendor security advisories ✅ Use a long, unique master password ✅ Disable recovery features you don’t need ✅ For SMBs, audit shared vault and onboarding processes If you run security for an organisation, ask your vendor; 🔅 How are public keys authenticated? 🔅 Can server responses be manipulated without detection? 🔅 Is ciphertext integrity verified? 🔅 Can encryption be downgraded? Trust is never permanent, it needs to be continuously validated. And honestly, I think we'd all rather academics find this than an APT group!! Are you reconsidering your password strategy after this or doubling down on a stronger configuration? Let’s have the grown up conversation...

When 16 Billion Passwords Leak, It is Time to Wake Up! Yesterday, I came across a headline that caught my attention. Ten billion new passwords have just leaked online, increasing the global total of compromised credentials to over 16 billion. Let that sink in. These are not just old logins. Many are still active, connected to real emails, cloud storage, bank accounts and enterprise systems. Once they are out there, the door is wide open to identity theft, financial fraud, ransomware and worse. This Is Not Just a Tech Problem Cybercrime is no longer targeting solely “big tech.” It is affectin SMEs, hospitals, logistics companies and everyday individuals. • 81% of hacking-related breaches occur, due to weak or stolen passwords • The global cost of cybercrime in 2024 exceeded $10 trillion • Africa lost an estimated $4 billion — much of which was avoidable. At Heirs Technologies, we have seen it firsthand. One of our clients suffered a full-blown ransomware attack—all because of one compromised password. The attack took them offline for a week, causing significant financial and reputational damage. So, What Can You Actually Do? Here are the simple steps we share with our clients and teams — they make a significant impact: 🔐 Avoid reusing passwords. Consider using a password manager. 📲 Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) at all times. 🧠 Train your employees. Cybersecurity is fundamentally a human issue. 👁️🗨️ Monitor your systems. Silence does not mean safety. 💡 Invest in cyber readiness. Prevention is cheaper than recovery. Where the Industry Must Go Cybersecurity should not sit under the “IT budget.” It must be a strategic priority — tied to trust, growth and business continuity. Especially in Africa, where digital adoption is accelerating, our approach must be: ✔️ Secure by design ✔️ Simple for end-users ✔️ Embedded into leadership culture Final Thought You don’t need to be a big company to be a target. You just need to be online. So ask yourself: • Are your systems truly secure? • Is your team aware and trained? • Are you treating cyber as a growth enabler — or an afterthought? Because in this new world, trust starts with security. Let’s lead from the front. At Heirs Technologies, we assist organisations in designing cybersecurity architectures that are secure, scalable and proactive.

Most people think their password manager's server is the fortress. It shouldn't be. In a team environment, the server should be nothing more than a blind postman. When we talk about credential security, the real question is: Where does the math happen? If cryptography runs on the server, you aren't just trusting the math, you’re trusting the vendor’s employees, their infrastructure, and their cloud provider. True security architecture requires a shift: >Key Generation: Happens on the user’s device. >Execution: Cryptography runs entirely client-side. >Visibility: The server only sees encrypted blobs. I’ve been digging into passbolt’s approach. By building on OpenPGP standards and ensuring the server never touches plaintext, they move the security boundary back to the user’s machine. It’s about moving from "Trust us" to "Verify the architecture." Are you prioritizing where your encryption happens, or just that it happens? https://lnkd.in/e9GU-Hz9 #ClientSideEncryption #OpenPGP #SecretManagement #Passbolt #EngineeringFirst

Many cyber incidents don't begin with sophisticated hacking, they begin with a compromised account. According to the FBI and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), cyber criminals continue to use Account Takeover (ATO) schemes to gain unauthorized access to financial, email, payroll, social media, and other online accounts. Once inside, they can steal funds, access sensitive information, conduct additional fraud, or use trusted accounts to target others. For organizations across New York City and beyond, the consequences can extend well beyond financial loss. A single compromised account can disrupt operations, expose sensitive information, damage an organization's reputation, or serve as a gateway for additional cyber attacks. Many account takeover incidents begin with seemingly routine actions: • Clicking a fraudulent link in an email or text message • Reusing passwords across multiple accounts • Entering credentials into a spoofed website • Falling victim to a phishing or social engineering attempt • Sharing a multi-factor authentication (MFA) code with someone posing as a trusted source Fortunately, many of these incidents are preventable. Organizations and individuals can strengthen their defenses by: • Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) on all available accounts • Using strong, unique passwords for every account and considering a password manager • Monitoring accounts regularly for suspicious activity • Verifying unexpected requests through a trusted communication channel before sharing credentials or approving transactions • Training employees and family members to recognize phishing and social engineering tactics Cyber criminals often don't break in; they log in using stolen credentials. A few proactive security practices can significantly reduce risk and help protect both organizations and individuals. Resources: • Account Takeover Fraud via Impersonation of Financial Institution Support: https://lnkd.in/gA-qZ6wj • Account Takeover Resource Center: https://lnkd.in/gZBpt4RA • Business Email Compromise Resources: https://lnkd.in/gTYYXzUS • Cyber Program: https://lnkd.in/eatTU3MS • Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): https://www.ic3.gov Together, we continue Protecting the Pulse of America, right here in New York and beyond. #ProtectingThePulseOfAmerica #ConnectCommunicateProtect #CyberSecurity #nyc

Nineteen billion passwords in the wild - and we are still making the same mistakes!  🔐 Recently, researchers published a report analyzing over 19 billion passwords that were exposed within the last year, with a staggering 94% being reused across multiple accounts. Despite years of security education, users still prefer shorter passwords because they are easier to type and memorize. This isn’t just a statistic—it’s a reflection of a persistent issue in our approach to cybersecurity. The Reuse Epidemic Common passwords like “123456” and “password” continue to dominate, appearing millions of times in the leaked data. This widespread reuse creates a fertile ground for cybercriminals employing techniques like password spraying, where attackers attempt common passwords across many accounts to gain unauthorized access. A Personal Lesson Back in January 2016, during my tenure at a previous organization, we experienced a password spray attack. The attackers exploited the password “Winter2016”—a password that, while meeting compliance standards, was widely used due to our policy requiring quarterly password changes. Employees often defaulted to seasonal passwords like “Spring2016” or “Summer2016”, making it predictable and vulnerable. Moving Forward This breach underscores the urgent need to rethink our password policies: Promote the use of passphrases: Encourage longer, more complex passwords that are harder to crack. Use a password manager (like 1Password or Keeper Security, Inc.) to avoid reusing passwords and not fall victim to having to remember them. Make sure you have a very long and memorable passphrase + MFA protecting your vault. Use biometrics when supported and turn on any other security features, like requiring additional confirmations from unknown devices. Let’s not wait for another password compromise to take action. Strengthening our password practices is a critical step in safeguarding our digital identities. #cybersecurity #passwordsafety #MFA #cyberawareness

#cybermadesimple #cyberweekend Recently, a friend of mine shared that his home WiFi password was 54321. He thought it was a clever password since he used the numbers in reverse. In reality, a simplistic password like “54321”would take less than a second for modern hacking tools to crack. With password-cracking software, attackers can use “brute-force methods” to quickly test such short, predictable combinations of numbers. Here are the following reasons why that password is vulnerable: ❌ Length: “54321” is only five characters, which is shorter than the recommended minimum of 12-14 characters. ❌ Character Variety: It includes only numbers, lacking the mix of uppercase, lowercase, symbols, and numbers that add complexity. ❌ Predictability: Being a simple sequential number, “54321” is very common and would likely appear in precomputed dictionaries that many password-cracking tools use. Here are a few simple tips to help you level up your security with stronger passwords: ✅ Use Phrases, Not Just Words: Create memorable but random phrases and add a mix of uppercase letters, numbers, and special characters, randomly within the phrase. Phrases like “MyCatLovesCoffee22!” or “Zebra7BakesCakes@Sunset” are not too difficult to remember but almost impossible for others to guess and significantly harder for hackers to break. ✅ Avoid Names, Birthdays, and Dates: Resist the urge to use family names, birthdays, wedding dates, or anything personal. Hackers can find this information very quickly, especially with a little social media research. ✅ Never Write Down Passwords: Writing passwords down or keeping them in easily accessible notes can lead to accidental exposure. A good password manager can safely store your passwords and auto-fill them when needed. However, strong passwords are just the beginning. For extra protection, consider enabling modern authentication methods. 🔶 Traditional two-factor authentication (2FA), such as SMS codes, can provide an added layer of security. However, there’s mounting evidence that SMS-based methods are increasingly vulnerable to SIM swaps and interception, where attackers take control of your phone number to receive those codes. 🔶 To truly secure your accounts, consider phishing-resistant MFA methods such as app-based authenticators (like Microsoft Authenticator, Google Authenticator or Authy) or, even better, hardware security keys like YubiKeys. 🔶 Authenticator apps generate time-based codes that are more secure than SMS, while hardware keys require physical access, making them resistant to phishing attacks. 🔶 A hardware key like a YubiKey can be purchased online and works seamlessly with most major services. For anyone still using simple passwords, I’m reminded of the funny but powerful message: “I drink, because your password is PASSWORD.” #passwordsecurity #passwordprotection #passwordmanager #modernauthentication #staysafeonline

Your 'unhackable' password is a hacker's love letter. Let's debunk the myth of protection through complexity. The Complexity Myth Your 'unhackable' password? It's a jigsaw, not Fort Knox. It's randomness, not complexity, that safeguards you. Predictability: The Hacker’s Best Friend That password with your pet's name and birth year? Hackers love it. They feast on patterns, proving unpredictability beats complexity. The Power of Password Managers Meet your hero—a password manager. It's a personal, digital vault, generating and storing unique passwords. As good as passwordless or passkeys? No. Better than today? Probably. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) It's a doorman that uses phone codes instead of IDs. Without the code, hackers stay out. Regular Password Changes: Bust that Myth Changing passwords frequently? Ditch that 2010 habit. Create unique, strong passwords upfront. Changing is for the breached. In the end, your 'strong' password is just the beginning. Dive into the world of unpredictability, embrace better password management and let MFA into your heart. Ready to outsmart with simplicity? Start by questioning every password tip you've ever heard. Then, share this post to spread the word. We're in a team sport after all.