Use a password manager in your business

What it is

Once you’re confident your staff are using strong passwords, the next step in strengthening your business' online security is to get them to store their passwords in a password manager .

Using a password manager is an easy way for you and your staff to keep track of all the passwords used to access your business programmes, services and systems. It’s an important step in safeguarding your business data and keeping your business secure online.

How it works

A password manager is like putting your passwords into an online safe that only you have the key to.

Password managers:

• encrypt , store and protect all your passwords so no one else can access them
• allow you to generate passwords made up of a random, unique string of characters
• keep track of your passwords so you don't have to remember them all – you only have to remember one master password
• don't require IT support to set up or implement
• can be used to store other information securely, like pin numbers or two-factor authentication (2FA) recovery codes.

When you set up a password manager, you create a 'master password' to use when you access your safe.

Once you have your online account details stored in the password manager, the master password is the only one you have to remember. The password manager will do the rest for you.

The risks

Password management software is built using strong encryption methods and security practices, and is regularly reviewed by independent security researchers. The weakest part of password management software is most likely to be the master password that you choose.