Why passwords aren't enough anymore

Remember when choosing a password felt personal? Maybe it was the name of a childhood pet, a favorite band, or a birthday woven into something only you would remember. Back then, we thought security was about keeping something secret. That was before passwords started getting reused, leaked, and stolen by hackers who know exactly where to look.

Today, not even a strong password is enough.

Why passwords alone don’t work anymore

Most of us know we should be more careful. Still, we reuse passwords, save them in browsers, or email them to ourselves. Sometimes the password is embarrassingly easy. Sometimes it’s the same one we use for Netflix. And often, we have no idea if it’s already been compromised.

You don’t need to be the target of a sophisticated cyberattack to get hit. It can be enough that an old account from years ago got hacked, and that you, out of habit, use the same password for your work email. Suddenly the door is left wide open, and no one notices until it’s too late.

Two-factor authentication isn’t complicated, just underrated

Two-factor authentication, or 2FA, has been around for years. But it’s still surprisingly underused. Maybe it sounds technical. Maybe it seems like something only governments and big corporations need. In reality, it’s simple. You log in with something you know (your password) and then confirm using something you have (like a code on your phone). One extra step that makes all the difference. Many breaches start with someone getting hold of a password. But with 2FA, the password alone becomes useless. Without that second piece of proof, they’re locked out.

Security isn't about paranoia, but common sense

Using 2FA isn’t about being fearful or overly cautious. It’s a basic routine, like locking your front door when you leave. Not because you expect a break-in every day, but because it would be careless not to. Most modern platforms offer some form of 2FA. It could be a text message code, an authenticator app, or a physical security key. It’s quick to set up, free to use, and makes a real difference.

If you’re leading a business

Whether you’re three people or three hundred, this isn’t something to put off. You don’t need to understand every technical detail. You just need to grasp the principle.

Here are a few quick questions worth asking:

🟢 Do you use a password manager?

🟢 Have you enabled two-factor authentication on your work email?

🟢 Do you know who on your team hasn’t set up 2FA yet?

🟢 Do you know how to recover access if you lose your phone?

If you’re not sure where to start, we can go through it together. Controla helps you see what’s in place, fix what’s missing, and keep your team protected without the hassle. Get in touch with us and we’ll make sure 2FA, and the rest of your essential cybersecurity, is taken care of.