City firms are not following security best practice

Survey finds businesses are flouting security password guidelines

City firms in the Square Mile are not following IT best practice when it comes to security passwords, according to research.

In a study by Quest Software, which surveyed 200 workers in London’s financial district, approximately half of system passwords are shorter than the recommended eight characters.

Some 84 per cent of respondents chose their own passwords while over a quarter use words as passwords rather than the recommended letter and number combination.

Approximately a quarter of respondents surveyed also use the same passwords on home and work computer applications including web mail and online banking.

A third of respondents have shared passwords with work colleagues.

What do you think? Email [email protected]