When someone leaves your business, you might be so wrapped up in the rush of everyday tasks, you forget to delete their login details. It’s easy to overlook. Your business IT department will get around to it later, right?
But unused login details could be a ticking time bomb for security breaches, leaving the doors wide open to cyber criminals. It can also be an unnecessary drain on your budget if you’re paying for old subscriptions your business IT team no longer needs.
A recent report found that almost half of businesses had accounts that were no longer actively managed. If you’ve forgotten about an account, you’re not monitoring it. And this leaves your business vulnerable to attacks.
These risks aren’t just hypothetical, either. Many cloud security breaches happen because unused login details and accounts have been compromised.
So, what do you need to do?
Take the time to audit all accounts and login details used by your business. Make sure you no longer have accounts open for ex-employees (and check that their access has been fully revoked, not just left inactive).
The same goes for any software or service that you’ve stopped using in your business. You might not realize you’re still paying for a service you haven’t touched in months – or even years.
Going forward, make sure you have a clear process for when people leave, and regularly review the applications and services your business uses.
When managing business IT, it’s essential to recognize the critical role account management plays in maintaining security and operational efficiency.
Forgotten or inactive accounts create gaps in your cybersecurity framework, which cybercriminals are eager to exploit. These criminals often target overlooked login credentials as an easy entry point, potentially compromising sensitive data and undermining trust in your organization.
Proactively managing these accounts isn’t just about avoiding security breaches—it’s also about ensuring your business IT is streamlined and cost-effective.
In addition to the immediate security threats, unused accounts can inflate costs. Many subscription-based services automatically renew, and if your business IT team isn’t tracking these dormant accounts, you could be spending significant sums on software or platforms that offer no value to your operations.
This waste of resources can add up over time, impacting your bottom line and diverting funds that could be better spent elsewhere, such as upgrading hardware, investing in training, or enhancing core IT infrastructure.
To address these challenges, consider implementing an automated account deprovisioning system as part of your business IT processes.
This ensures that when an employee leaves, their access to all systems is revoked promptly and comprehensively. Regularly scheduled audits of all software licenses and user accounts can further strengthen your IT management.
By taking these steps, your organization can protect itself from cyber risks, optimize expenses, and maintain a well-oiled IT environment that supports growth and innovation. If you’re not sure where to start, let us help you perform a security review and make sure you’re not leaving your business exposed to unnecessary threats. Get in touch.
