When an employee leaves your business, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of day-to-day operations and overlook small yet critical tasks – like deleting their login details.
You might think, I’ll get to it later. But failing to act promptly could expose your business to significant risks, from cyberattacks to unnecessary expenses.
The Hidden Dangers of Unused Logins
Unused logins may seem harmless, but they can quickly turn into a serious liability. Here’s why:
- Cybersecurity Threats: Each inactive account is a potential entry point for cybercriminals. Many cloud security breaches occur because forgotten or unmanaged accounts are exploited.
- Data Leaks: Old logins could still have access to sensitive company information, increasing the risk of data breaches.
- Unnecessary Costs: Paying for software subscriptions linked to inactive accounts wastes valuable resources that could be better allocated elsewhere.
A recent report found that almost 1 in 3 ex-employees had access to company data.
If you’re not monitoring these old accounts, your business is effectively leaving the door wide open to attackers.
Real-World Consequences
These risks aren’t just theoretical. Security breaches resulting from compromised unused accounts are alarmingly common. Whether it’s an ex-employee’s account being hacked or login credentials sold on the dark web, the fallout can be devastating:
- Loss of sensitive data
- Financial penalties for non-compliance with data protection regulations
- Damage to your business’s reputation
What You Can Do to Protect Your Business
Addressing this issue starts with taking proactive steps to secure your business:
- Audit All Accounts: Regularly review all user accounts and login credentials associated with your business. Check that no ex-employees have lingering access to systems or data.
- Revoke Access Immediately: When someone leaves your company, ensure their access is fully revoked – not just deactivated.
- Cancel Unused Subscriptions: Review your software and service subscriptions. Are you still paying for tools you no longer use? Cancelling these can free up funds and reduce unnecessary risk.
- Create a Clear Offboarding Process: Develop a standard process for revoking access when employees leave. This should include removing login credentials, disabling accounts, and retrieving any company-owned devices.
- Schedule Regular Reviews: Cyber security isn’t a one-time task. Make it a priority to periodically review your systems, accounts, and software usage.
Need Help? We’re Here to Support You
Managing business security can be overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to start. Our team can help you perform a comprehensive cyber security risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities, close loopholes, and protect your organisation from potential threats.
Don’t wait for a security breach to happen. Contact us today and let’s secure your business together.
