Do you know who has access to your systems?

When you took their keys back, did you cancel their passwords, too?

When an employee leaves your business, it's crucial to revoke their access to your IT systems. But did you remember to cancel their passwords too? Let's explore why this is important and how you can protect your business from potential risks.

If former employees still hold valid credentials, they could potentially access sensitive information even after they've left. This information might include client data, proprietary research, or your financial details, depending on your business. This situation could be detrimental to your company, as former employees could use this information to lure clients away or steal your ideas. Furthermore, if an employee left on bad terms, they might utilize their login to introduce harmful elements like ransomware, viruses, or other malware.

Even if the ex-employee themselves wouldn't harm you, if their computer or records were compromised, someone else could gain access to their credentials with malicious intent. This is why it's crucial to protect yourself with centralized access control.

To ensure your business isn't vulnerable to malicious password use after an employee leaves, you need to establish good access control practices. Start by including it as part of your HR offboarding routine, just like canceling their door code and retrieving their keys.

However, manually revoking credentials can be time-consuming, especially if the person had access to multiple systems and used different passwords. It's also prone to human error, as it's easy to overlook a system or miss a step, resulting in an account that remains open unknowingly.

A safer alternative is to implement a centralized password management and access control system. This system provides complete visibility into the usage of all your systems and offers a single point to activate or revoke permissions. By quickly reviewing the system, you can instantly revoke an employee's privileges for any network resources when they leave the company.

By following proper access control procedures, you can enhance the overall security of your data and systems. Safeguarding your business from potential risks becomes more manageable and gives you peace of mind.

If you have any questions regarding access control and the right solutions for your business, we're here to help. Contact us today for guidance on access control.

John Fisher

Meet John Fisher, founder of Westway IT, passionate about helping businesses thrive with technology. With a BSc in Computer Science, he values integrity, education, and quality relationships. Active in The Tech Tribe and CompTIA, John simplifies IT and creates scalable strategies. Connect with him on LinkedIn.