When we create an email, social network or other account, we obtain access credentials. The password must be strong with uppercase, lowercase and special symbols, and must not be reused. Then, together with the username, comes the moment when we have to decide where we are going to store them so that we can retrieve them when we need them. Depending on the way we decide to store those credentials, it will be more or less secure. In this article we are going to see how many still use paper and pencil instead of a password manager.
The Bitwarden survey on the use of passwords
In the 2022 Password Decision Survey Bitwarden interviewed more than 400 IT managers. A very interesting fact is that the password managers are now a standard for 86% of companies that report that they are using it. This reflects a 9% increase in the use of a password manager from last year. Here are the strategies used to save passwords:
However, as can be seen above, there are some worrying data. Some IT managers still opt for insecure methods of saving their passwords. 53% of those responsible do so with documents on their computers and also 29% with pencil and paper. In this regard, you may be interested in learning about the Passwarden password manager.
Security threats and attacks
Following high-profile password breaches such as Colonial Pipeline and Solar Winds, the majority of respondents, at 54%, admitted that their organization had suffered a cyberattack. Also, a worrying fact is that 25% of organizations do not have or do not know if they have a ransomware mitigation strategy. This is disconcerting considering the success of ransomware attacks in recent years.
On the other hand, phishing attacks they remain important and are becoming more sophisticated as social engineering improves. In this aspect, these Phishing emails come from the impersonation of:
- From financial institutions with 35%.
- A government entity 22%.
- Health care organizations 11%.
On a positive note, two-factor authentication or 2FA is now widespread in the workplace with 88% of respondents using it. Although it should also be noted that IT managers believe that the main factors that keep employees from adopting 2FA authentication are two:
- The perception that it slows down the workflow (45%).
- It takes time to implement (44%).
Use a password manager at work
The Bitwarden survey also found that most respondents want their employers to require employees to use the same password manager company-wide. On the other hand, a majority of employers up 3% from last year require company-wide password managers. If we explore why people are reluctant to use a standalone password manager, we find:
- 50% quote the price.
- The time constraints.
We have already seen how a password manager is a good idea that we must take into account. However, sometimes those credentials that we have stored there are shared in an inappropriate way. If they fall into the hands of a cybercriminal, they could put the security of a company at risk.
When it comes to how they share passwords, 53% of IT decision makers do so with their workers via email. Also 43% share passwords in online documents, 41% through chat messages, 31% by voice and 21% on paper.
Finally, according to Michael Crandell, CEO of Bitwarden, users need easy ways to transmit sensitive information with end-to-end encryption through email, such as with Bitwarden Send. Thanks to the implementation of the appropriate tools, communication within your company will be streamlined and your credentials will be kept safe.
