How can you securely share passwords with team members?

I have years of experience in needing this functionality. I am not an affiliate or trying to sell anything. Keeper Security password manager has always been my go to for solving this need. In my opinion sourcing the correct password manager will be your best solution here.

This is one of the tricky things to do within the business, changing the passwords when someone no longer needs and also remembering when to revoke the passwords from a member are very important stuff to remember. Password managers like LastPass, 1Password, or Bitwarden allow you to share passwords securely with team members without them actually seeing the password. These tools also enable one to revoke access when a team member no longer needs it.

The best way will be to use a password manager and share the passwords that need to be shared. The good thing about using a password manager is that you can easily revoke access and change the password if that team member leaves the team. If this is not affordable for that company for whatever reason, the next best thing will be sending it via a self-destructing message or maybe splitting the password up and sending half of it via some medium and the other half in a different medium, but this would be my last resort.

Passwords are a very sensitive matter and sharing personal passwords is not recommended. However, if it's for a shared workspace, it's best to ensure that this is handled with care. When selecting a password-sharing tool, consider these aspects: Encryption, Access Control, and User-Friendliness. Recommended tools include LastPass, Keeper Security, Passbolt, or 1Password.

Securely share passwords with team members using reputable password managers like 1Password or LastPass, enabling role-based access control, two-factor authentication, and regular password rotation. Educate team members on password best practices, use secure messaging apps for one-time sharing, and avoid sharing passwords over email, chat, or public networks.

Passwords should be treated with topmost priority, and sharing it to anyone through any messaging application is not recommended. Organizations should have policies to prevent sharing passwords between the employees and each and every user account should only be used the account owner only, as it is important for security activity monitoring and auditing purposes

Although secure messaging apps with end-to-end encryption offer additional protection compared to plain text communication, sharing passwords through any communication channel always involves risks. Pros: 1. Encryption: End-to-end encryption ensures password confidentiality. 2. Convenience: Quick and direct communication within the team. 3. Authentication: Some apps offer additional security features like two-factor authentication. Cons: 1. Screenshots/Forwarding: Risk of screenshots or message forwarding. 2. App Security: Dependence on the security of the chosen messaging app. 3. Limited Control: Once sent, limited ability to retract or invalidate shared passwords.

I have the opportunity to choose from various password managers, and I strongly believe that KeePass stands out as one of the most user-friendly options, it's btw qualified by ANSSI 🌐🔒

Share passwords through end-to-end encrypted messaging platforms like Signal or Telegram. Send passwords as direct messages to specific team members rather than in a group setting.

Use different communication apps to deliver the first and the second part of password. Or login and password in different communication channels.

There are many self-destructing links available. One in particular that I’ve found extremely fast, easy to use and secure is PWPush. Just type the content, choose the self-destruction criteria and off you go!

Password Pusher is an OSS application to communicate passwords over the web. Links to passwords expire after a certain number of views and/or time has passed. Hosted at pwpush.com but you can also easily run your own private instance with just a few steps. Password Pusher has securely delivered millions and millions of passwords in its +10 year history. Open source written and maintained by me with the help of some great contributors. No organisations, corporations or evil agendas.

Share passwords for a limited time, especially if the access is needed for a specific task. Regularly update shared passwords and revoke access when it's no longer necessary

It can be one time link service combined with two or more parts of password, or send login and password in two different links.

A self-destructing link is a link that automatically expires after a certain amount of time or after a certain number of uses. This ensures that the password is only accessible for a limited time and only by the intended recipient.

Authenticator apps are highly recommended for 2FA rather the SMS/Calls because there is a better chance that the authenticator app will not be compromised compared to receiving an sms or call that can be intercepted.

Multi-factor authentication can be viewed as a practical example of the defense-in-depth security strategy, where each layer of security reinforces the overall protection.

2FA, or MFA is the way to go. Also it is important to consider using biometrics, separation of devices for different auth can further reduce the risks.

Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible. Even if a password is shared, unauthorized access is prevented without the second factor.

Entendo que a forma mais simples é divulgar uma senha temporária com vincúlo ao username e solicitar sua mudança no primeiro acesso, já criando um sistema de autenticação de dois estágios.

Splitting passwords is a technique that is not recommended for password sharing. It is a weakness, not an advantage, as it allows breaking each password half independently

Establish a team password vault within your organization. Restrict access to this vault and ensure that only authorized personnel can add, modify, or retrieve passwords.

Password splitting is an outdated technique that falls short of modern cybersecurity requirements. If a password needs to be recorded or transferred outside of a password manager, a combination of file encryption and file access permissions should be used to ensure the password file cannot be opened if it is accessed by an unauthorized user. All modern operating systems have native options for encrypting files and restricting user access.

Avoid password splitting. Instead, use secure methods like encrypted messaging apps, self-destructing links, or two-factor authentication for sharing passwords. These methods provide better security and are widely accepted in industry best practices.

In my opinion, password splitting only makes sense when employing state-of-the-art cryptography, such as a quantum-safe Public Key Infrastructure.

It is crucial to educate team members on the importance of privacy in order to have a robust cybersecurity stance. Training sessions should focus on highlighting the value of sensitive information, common cyber threats, and individual responsibilities. Clear policies, including guidelines on data sharing and secure password practices, are crucial. Encouraging the use of password managers and classifying data based on sensitivity fosters a security-conscious culture. It is important to empower team members to report concerns and maintain regular updates on cybersecurity practices, as this ensures a vigilant workforce that actively contributes to privacy protection within the organisation.

Emergency Access Procedures (Emergency Protocols): Establish clear procedures for emergency access in case a team member is unavailable, and urgent access to a shared account is required. This could involve designated backup contacts or alternative authentication methods.

Sharing passwords poses significant cybersecurity risks, underscoring the need for more secure practices. An advisable strategy includes creating a guest user account with carefully tailored permissions, restricting access to only essential functions. Share the relevant login details with the user for their intended task. After the task is completed, it's critical to promptly and permanently remove the guest account. This proactive approach ensures a secure digital environment and guards against lingering vulnerabilities.

Imagine setting up a high-tech (quantum-safe) PKI, fortified with quantum-resistant cryptography and a smooth key management system. But wait, there's a twist! Your employees still need solid passphrase training - because what good is a digital fortress if the keys are under the doormat? So, with the right training in place, your beach holiday snaps, from those majestic sunsets to your sand art masterpieces, will be locked down tighter than a clamshell at high tide.

Using a tool which encrypts the data end to end and also 2 factor authentication so that it can not be misused apart from business requirements.