Government investigation puts spotlight on password insecurity
A team working for the Department of Interior's inspector general successfully cracked 1 in 5 active user passwords, a ratio that highlights traps in cybersecurity standards, Mike Kosask from LastPass writes.
What were the findings of the Department of Interior's password security investigation?
The investigation found that 1 in 5 active user passwords were cracked, highlighting significant issues such as inconsistent implementation of multifactor authentication, outdated password complexity requirements, and weak passwords. Notably, half of the most reused passwords included variations of the word 'password.'
How can organizations improve password security?
Organizations can adopt strong password policies based on the NIST Framework, which advises against using sequential or repeated characters. Additionally, implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security. However, it's crucial that these policies are enforced consistently to be effective.
What alternatives to traditional passwords are being considered?
Alternatives include using passphrases that string together unrelated words totaling more than 16 letters and adopting passwordless authentication methods like passkeys. Passkeys utilize cryptographic key pairs, ensuring that access to accounts is secure and not reliant on easily compromised passwords.
Government investigation puts spotlight on password insecurity
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