COVID-19 password 'hygiene' gains importance as workers access systems from home

(Photo: Shutterstock)

Workers have been dumped into a world of digital everything, without time to gradually wade in and get used to such novelties as working from home. In fact, the increase in people working from home has created a new wave of cyber crime attempts, including a 350% increase in phishing attacks by fake COVID-19 websites. And it has focused attention on employee password “hygiene.” This is one area where a non-techie HR person or manager can help to educate employees.

“While many employees are set up to work securely by their employers, they continue to seek simplicity, even if that means insecure password practices and higher risk. As organizations continue to support employees working from home, it’s clear that they need to ramp up cybersecurity training and technology,” said James LaPalme, Vice President & General Manager of Authentication Solutions at Entrust Datacard.