Starting Fresh: A guide to digital hygiene to start the new year - Week 1

To start off the new year, we’re breaking down some essential tasks for a digital house cleaning into seven weekly tips. Each week, we’ll focus on one specific area to help you enhance productivity, streamline operations, and boost security. Follow along for actionable insights!

Week 1: Password Hygiene

Passwords are your first line of defense against cyber threats, but weak or reused passwords can leave you vulnerable. This week, focus on:

• Adopting a password manager to securely store and generate strong passwords. We love Bitwarden or 1Password for businesses, and if you're an Apple user the built-in Apple password manager is a good option (it works best if you only use Apple devices). We don't recommend browser storage (like Chrome or Edge), but it's better than a sticky note on your monitor!

• Ensuring all accounts have unique, complex passwords.

• Enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.

• Exploring passkeys, a modern and secure alternative to traditional passwords.

Not sure why this is so important? Password managers not only simplify your life by keeping track of all your credentials but also drastically improve your security posture. According to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), using a password manager encourages the use of long, random, and unique passwords across different sites, making it much harder for someone to steal your valuable information. Additionally, password managers can identify weak and reused passwords, generate and store two-factor authentication (2FA) codes, store and use passkeys (a new and growing standard for security) and store and share other sensitive data (e.g. credit card and bank info, passport/SSN info, important files, etc). This comprehensive approach to password management not only strengthens your security but also simplifies the process of maintaining multiple accounts.

By upgrading your password practices, you’re not just improving security – you’re reducing stress from forgotten passwords and account lockouts.

If you have questions or would like to talk more, we'd love to help. Stay tuned next week for our guide on auditing your SaaS subscriptions to save money and reduce clutter in your digital workspace.