Current Newsletters

Passwords have been around for centuries… ever since humans felt the need to password-protect something (the right to enter or pass, for example). Fast-forward to today and the need for strong identification and authentication is more important than ever. Access to nearly every part of our online lives is protected by nothing more than a username and a string of characters. The strength and uniqueness of those characters is all that stands between cybercriminals and sensitive data.

With that in mind, this month’s issue focuses on the importance of strong passwords, addresses the concerns with standard password practices, and analyzes updated password guidelines.

Scavenger Hunt Questions (and Answers):

1. Find the piece of expert password advice that rhymes. (Longer is stronger)
2. Name at least two types of privileged accounts. (local admin, application, privileged user, domain admin)
3. Name at least one thing that you can do to respect privileged access. (Respect the access you’ve been granted. Use common sense and think before you click. Remember that physical security is an important part of information security.)
4. Provide an example of a good password following the new NIST guidelines. (Answers will vary, but should be something along the lines of: thedogwantstoplayfetch)
5. What do experts advise you use on personal devices and at home for better password security? (A password manager)