Enterprise Password Manager Improves Data Security.

A single data security breach is now estimated to cost over $7.2 million* per incident.  Companies, universities, utility plants and government agencies are implementing data security by adding more back end security (like firewalls, anti-virus and CAPTCHAs) all the while leaving the network’s “front door” wide open.  The biggest and most overlooked threats to almost every system is not from outside.  It’s your own employees carelessness! Employee carelessness is the number one cause of internal breaches: opening a malware infected attachment, answering spear phishing, emails, emailing documents through insecure networks, etc. Beefing up password size and complexity frequently leads to more insecurity because it drives users to practice poor password management. Adding smart card windows authentication with an enterprise password manager for data security locks the network’s front door.

The best way to improve data security is to understand cyber security statistics. Detailed cyber security statistics can be obtained by clicking the headlines below.

Data Security Breaches:

No matter what term you use (cyber attacks, hackers, data thieves, etc.,) data security breaches are costing businesses millions of dollars a year. IT tries to increases data security by increasing the length, the complexity and the change-frequency of passwords.  While technically a good policy, its flaw is that it ignores the human element.  Most people manage their passwords poorly.  They use the same password for multiple sites and write passwords down on notes left near their computer.  It only takes one careless site entry, phishing attack, keylogger or dishonest employee to threaten data security.  Furthermore, if a legitimate user name and password are used, IT has no way to identify if a breach has occurred.  This is a huge vulnerability for any company. Click to learn more about: Data Security Breaches.

Data Security Privacy Laws Threats:

The state and federal governments have imposed numerous privacy laws that every business, institution and agency  must know to improve data security. These laws carry fines for non-compliance even if there is no breach. But, should there be a security breach then then fines are much more sever. Click to learn more about: Privacy Legislation Data Security Threats.

Cloud Data Security Threats:

Cloud solutions are being used for everything from legal forms to healthcare patient records, accounting data to word-processing, and CRMs to order processing. With so much valuable data out in the clouds, data security is paramount to reduces cyber attacks. Click to learn more about: Cloud Data Security Threats.

Password Data Security Threats:

User name and password authentication is still the easiest and most cost effective data security solution.  The weakness is not password authentication but how people choose and manage there passwords.  As companies now bear the burden of strict new privacy laws, they try to mitigate their risks by implementing cumbersome authentication policies, which causes employees to circumvent security for their own convenience. Click to learn more about: Password Data Security Threats.

Spam and Malware Data Security Threats:

With over 200 billion emails sent daily, Symantec estimated that in 2010 about 89% were Spam. Spam and malware are seen as the biggest data security problem for IT. Thieves are using spam inside phishing and spear phishing emails to distribute their malware. Once an employee clicks the wrong link an entire network can be infected. Click to learn more about: Spam and Malware Data Security Threats.

Mobile Device Data Security Threats:

Smart phones, netbooks and tablets are the latest rage of employees. However, data security in these devices is much less than traditional laptop computers. Employees are storing very sensitive information like customer data, network passwords, company financial, etc. Click to learn more about: Mobile Device Data Security Threats.

Social Networking Data Security Threats:

This is only starting to be analyzed for data security risks, and how this can affect network security. There have already been cases where malware was distributed by means of Facebook and Twitter applications and messages. Click to learn more about: Social Networking Data Security Threats.

Data Security Threat Costs:

When there is a data security breach, do you understand all the costs that your company will experience? Do you know the differences between the direct and indirect costs? Do you need get a better understanding how the average breach cost in 2011 was $7.2 million? Click to learn more about: Data Security Threat Costs.

Data Security using Enterprise Password Manager for Windows Authentication:

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solutions have proven themselves to be too cumbersome and expensive to implement and maintain.  One Time Password (OTP) solutions have limited flexibility, are expensive and have been hacked.  Power LogOn is an enterprise password manager for smart card Windows authentication.  Take back control of your Windows password authentication with Power LogOn – The Alternative to PKI!

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Access Smart streamlines the user’s logon process, empowering IT security policies through the use of smartcard technology to secure passwords and password management.  The Power LogOn product line has proven itself to secure password log on without the high cost of ownership found in other security solutions. Click here to more about the Power LogOn Solution.

* Ponemon Institute, 2011