Digital threats are no longer a remote possibility; they are an everyday reality for any company, regardless of its size or sector. And in this landscape, knowing how to manage passwords securely has become one of the most critical decisions in any cybersecurity strategy.
In 2025, Outpost24’s threat intelligence team analyzed over 6 billion passwords stolen by malware. Their conclusion was clear: Attackers are not looking for sophisticated technical vulnerabilities. They simply take advantage of predictable, reused, and never-updated passwords to gain access “through the main entrance” of organizations.
In this article, we explain best practices for securely managing passwords at an enterprise level, the most relevant trends for 2026, and how a continuous monitoring solution like Kartos can protect your organization from leaks that have already occurred without your knowledge.
The problem of passwords in companies
Passwords remain the first line of defense against cyberattacks. But they are also the most exploited link. According to the Sophos Active Adversaries Report 2026, identity-related attacks accounted for 67% of incidents investigated globally in 2025. The main causes were compromised passwords, weak or non-existent MFA schemes, and insufficiently protected identity systems.
Consequences of poor management
Poor password management can have devastating consequences for businesses:
- Loss of sensitive data. A single unauthorized access can compromise key information.
- Reputational damage. Customers and partners lose trust in a company that fails to protect their data.
- Financial costs. From fines for non-compliance to recovery costs after an attack.
Therefore, adopting a secure password management system is not optional, but essential.
You may be interested in our content→ 5 tips to improve your company’s access management.
How to manage passwords securely?
Here are the best practices for securing business credentials:
1. Implement strong password policies
Passwords must meet specific criteria to be secure:
- Be at least 12 characters long.
- Include a combination of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid using personal information or common words.
A good policy should also require regular password changes and prohibit password reuse.
2. Train your employees
Your employees are the first line of defense against cyberattacks. Provide regular training on:
- The importance of strong passwords.
- How to identify phishing attempts.
- Best practices for protecting your devices and accounts.
3. Use a password management system
A centralized password management system is a practical solution for securely storing and protecting credentials. These tools allow:
- Generate unique and strong passwords.
- Store encrypted credentials.
- Securely share access between employees.
4. Implement multi-factor authentication (MFA)
MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second authentication factor, such as a code sent to the phone or a fingerprint. Even if a password is compromised, access will not be possible without this second factor.
5. Move towards passkeys: the passwordless future
In 2026, the debate is no longer whether to adopt passkeys, but when. The UK’s NCSC formalized its official recommendation in April 2026 to use passkeys instead of passwords whenever possible. Google, Apple, and Microsoft have already established them as their preferred login method.
Passkeys are based on the FIDO2 standard and employ public-key cryptography. A private key remains on the user’s device, protected by biometrics or a PIN, while the public key is stored on the server. A password is never transmitted over the network.
6. Continuously monitor and audit
Threats are constantly evolving, and many vulnerabilities go undetected immediately. Continuous monitoring of credential status and conducting regular audits are essential to identifying vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
One particularly critical aspect is that your organization’s credentials may be circulating on the dark web without your knowledge. Only active monitoring of the external attack surface allows for timely detection.
Kartos: Continuous credential monitoring for companies
Implementing best practices is necessary, but not sufficient. Cyber attackers don’t wait for your company to fail in a protocol; they actively search for compromised credentials circulating on the dark web, and most organizations don’t realize it until the damage is done.
Kartos is Enthec’s CTEM (Continuous Threat Exposure Management) platform, designed to give companies complete, real-time visibility into their external attack surface.
What is Kartos?
Kartos is a Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM) solution that automatically, non-intrusively, and in real time monitors your organization’s exposure to external threats. Unlike a traditional password manager, Kartos acts as an intelligence system that detects what has already happened before you find out the hard way.
What does Kartos detect?
- Leaked employee credentials circulating on the dark web, underground forums, and illegal marketplaces.
- Phishing campaigns that impersonate your brand or corporate domains.
- Exposure of sensitive organizational data in open sources and repositories.
- Third-party risks: suppliers and partners with compromised credentials who can serve as a gateway to your network.
- Potential threats in real time, without false positives and without the need for human intervention (HumInt).
Benefits of using Kartos
Among the most notable benefits:
- Risk reduction. Minimize the probability of unauthorized access.
- Regulatory compliance. It helps to comply with data protection regulations such as the GDPR.
- Time saving. Automate tasks such as password generation and auditing.
- Tranquillity. Knowing that your credentials are protected allows you to focus on growing your business.
Why choose Enthec to protect your credentials?
At Enthec, we understand that security shouldn’t be complicated. That’s why we have developed solutions tailored to both companies (Kartos) and individuals (Qondar). While Kartos focuses on password management and enterprise protection, Qondar offers a personalized experience for individual users who want to protect their data.
Both tools share a common goal: to help you continuously manage your exposure to threats and stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.
Are your corporate credentials already exposed without your knowledge? With Kartos, you can detect and act before an attacker does. Contact our team today and request a personalized demonstration.
