Understanding the Gravity of the Situation
It's hard to ignore the significant role that cyber security and passwords play in our digital lives, yet the trends surrounding UK password usage are more shocking than you might expect.
Despite growing cybersecurity threats, an alarming number of UK citizens continue to use easily guessable passwords, leaving their personal and business data vulnerable to hackers.
The Implications of Poor Password Practices
Putting this into numbers, it means:
- 60% of people in the UK use passwords that can be easily guessed
- 30% of passwords are less than 8 characters long
- 40% have never changed their passwords in more than 5 years
- 10% use the same password for all accounts
If you or your employees are using passwords like this, it time to stop, and start educating everyone in your business.
Strong passwords are the cornerstone of online security.
By taking the time to create unique, complicated passwords for all of your accounts, you can significantly reduce the risk of cyberattacks and keep your personal and business data safe from malicious users.
Watchguard one of our recommended security partners has found that :
- 91% of all passwords found in data breaches are weak or reused.
- 63% of UK users use simple patterns for their passwords such as 123456 or qwerty.
- 50% of hackers can gain access to systems with weak credentials within 2 minutes.
These statistics should drive home the importance of using complex and unique passwords.
In 2022 / 2023 Watchguard have reported :
- 23.5% – Social media account hacking cases increase in 2022
- £4m – The average cost of a data breach in the UK
- Only 19% – UK companies have invested in cyber training for employees
- With a remarkably (and worrying) 81% UK companies have not invested in educating there staff of best cyber security practises.
UK companies are not protecting themselves or their customers from cyber attacks.
A simple yet incredibly effective option is available from WatchGuard.
“AuthPoint Total Identity Security” – their multi-factor authentication solution with single sign-on (SSO) and risk-based authentication, with additional features: such as dark web monitoring and a password manager ensures your business and customers have an excellent level of security.
By investing in a secure identity solution, businesses can increase their protection from cyber-attacks and safeguard their credentials without compromising user experience.
The Need for Immediate Action in Cybersecurity Practices
For any business looking to ensure they are protecting themselves, their employees and customers it’s essential to keep up with the latest trends in cyber security. Investing in the right tools and training will help you stay one step ahead of hackers.
If you want to learn more about password security, or how WatchGuard can help your business, get in touch with us today. Let us show you how easy it is to protect yourself from cyber-attacks and data breaches.
Remember, it's not just about creating complex passwords – it's also about understanding the various threats that exist online and staying informed on current security trends.
Take the time to educate yourself and your employees about these topics, so you can build better defences against malicious attackers.
Get in touch with Speedster IT today, and let us show you how to keep your business safe.
We can also provide training on cybersecurity best practices, helping you ensure that your employees have the knowledge they need to stay secure online.
Together, we can protect your business and customers from the ever-evolving world of cyber threats.
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