You probably can’t remember.

We all know that we’re supposed to have long, complicated and unique passwords for each account we own.

But, when the average user has around 23 online accounts that all require a password (and that number is only increasing), there becomes a point where we must accept that we’re only human and simply not able to master that many quirky combinations.

Especially alongside remembering to floss daily and take the bins out on time…

What if we told you that you can create a unique, secure password without needing a photographic memory?

Introducing the concept of passphrases…

This sketch has been circling the internet for some time.

It shows you that choosing found random, common words for your password is a highly efficient way of protecting yourself from brute-force attacks.

This is because four, random words are just as hard for supercomputers to crack than a series of obscure letters, punctuation marks and numbers.

Also, because they are easier for humans to remember, we’re not tempted to change our passwords to something like ‘JustGilbey19’ – which could be cracked by a computer in seconds and a hacker in minutes.

We’d also recommend adding a few letters and symbols in there for good measure. For example, “PineappleTeaCrunch78!”.

You can try out the four common word passphrase trick here to see how long it would take for a computer to guess it.

With this being said, you can never sit too comfortably when it comes to your business’ cybersecurity.

Technology will rapidly advance, supercomputers will get smarter and hackers will become wise to our tricks.

So, it’s important to combine your powerful passphrase with at least one of the following:

Two-Factor or Multi-Factor Authentication.

Nowadays, most online services and platforms boast this security feature. All you need to do is spend a couple of moments switching it on and setting it up.

When 2-factor is activated, you’ll be sent a unique code via text message or email each time you log in. Simply enter that code to access the application or service.

We understand these extra few seconds could slow productivity, but we’d definitely encourage you to take advantage of this security feature – if only for your more sensitive accounts, such as online banking.

Authenticator applications.

An easier way to manage 2-step authentication is using a special app, such as Google Authenticator or Authy.

New codes are generated on your phone or tablet every few minutes and it means that even if someone does crack your password, they’ll have to access to your authentication app in order for them to successfully get into your account.

Touch ID.

More and more laptops, phones, tablets, and apps are supporting biometric security tools – we’re talking thumbprint, face and eye recognition.

This is possibly the quickest way to stay secure – it’s faster than entering a passcode, so you have no excuses!

And, finally, brush up on your password habits.

Unfortunately, the weakest link in the security chain is often human behaviour and silly slip-ups.

Please be wary of the dangers of password sharing and not storing your passwords securely.

If you do need to write your details down, avoid using notebooks and stick notes. Instead, opt for a password manager, such as LastPass.

This affordable tool enables you to securely store your login credentials. Additionally, it tells you if your password is weak and can generate new unique combinations.

If you would like more information about staying secure, please do get in touch with us today and we’d be happy to advise you.

But, what does this mean exactly?

Well, rather than constantly fire-fighting IT issues, we work with our customers to implement long-term systems and solutions.

We believe that this is the best way to ensure your business and its technology continues to run smoothly without any unexpected costs or downtime.

However, there are a lot of companies out there who still adopt a reactive break/fix approach to IT, believing it to be a more cost-effective choice for small and medium-sized businesses.

Whilst it’s true that a one-off cost if something goes wrong sounds more appealing than a regular monthly bill, it can mean that more serious (not to mention more expensive) issues crop up later down the line.

Today, we’re talking about the top reasons why you should consider a managed solutions package as opposed to waiting for IT problems to rear their ugly heads.

We can prevent issues from happening.

As we’ve briefly mentioned, a proactive approach means that we can deal with issues before they become damaging to your business.

A qualified, dedicated IT consultant should ensure that your systems and infrastructure are set up correctly from the start, following best practice and reducing the risk of future issues.

Meanwhile, by actively monitoring your systems, we can flag up a problem before it becomes a real problem for your team.

This preventative approach will cost a regular fee, however, surely a fixed, monthly cost is more appealing than a large bill landing on your doorstep after a major IT issue affects your business?

We get to know you and your team.

At Just Gilbey, we pride ourselves on becoming an extension of your team. We’re not just in your office to fix one thing that isn’t working. Instead, we sit with you and discuss, at length, how you work best and what systems and services you already use.

After gathering this information, we then use our experience to draw up a tailored solution that suits your needs.

We’re always on hand to advise you on any aspect of IT, happily recommending products that are right for you. On the other hand, we look to see if you’re shelling out for services that aren’t quite working for you.

We can add value to your business.

And, this brings us to our next point.

Whilst break/fix is a quick way to get rid of pressing IT issues, it doesn’t add value to your company.

By getting under the bonnet of your organisation, we can help you to put together a strategy that moves you forward, equipping you for the future.

We bridge the gap.

For many SMEs and startups, a full-time IT director or department isn’t a realistic option – and often not necessary.

Meanwhile, having no technical support can leave you very vulnerable. It increases your risk of business downtime, malicious attacks, data breaches, data loss and an overall fragmented system.

By outsourcing your IT, you enjoy the benefits of a dedicated engineer without the hefty price tag of employing fulltime.

If you would like to discuss proactive IT solutions or managed services packages, please get in touch with a member of the Just Gilbey team today.