Manager's Practical Toolkit to Improve Password Security in Organizations

Abstract

This research tackles the crucial challenge of improving password security within organizations. It proposes a practical approach to enhance both password management and user behavior. Traditional password helper systems often fall short in effectively conveying the importance of strong passwords, particularly to users with limited cybersecurity knowledge. This study addresses this gap by discussing the use of contextual warning messages which dynamically assess the strength of user-generated passwords and explain the rationale behind the assessment. By fostering a sense of shared responsibility among users, these messages aim to encourage the creation of stronger passwords. Importantly, these contextual warnings are both cost-effective and easy to implement, making them an attractive solution for organizations seeking to improve their users’ security behavior. With the proposed approach, organizations can simultaneously raise user awareness, improve understanding of password security principles, and ultimately elevate overall security practices.