Why ‘Never Expire’ Passwords Are a Risk for Houston Construction Companies: How Impress IT Solutions Can Help
In Houston’s thriving construction industry, the focus is often on managing projects, deadlines, and logistics. However, in an increasingly digital world, ensuring your company’s cybersecurity is just as important. Password management may seem like a small detail, but for construction companies handling critical project data and financial records, it plays a crucial role.
Some companies are tempted to use ‘never expire’ passwords to reduce IT issues. But for Houston-based construction companies, this approach can be risky. Here’s why, and how Impress IT Solutions is here to help you stay secure while minimizing IT hassles.
Why Do We Have Password Expiries?
Password expirations are typically set to every 90 days to protect against brute-force attacks. This kind of attack happens when a hacker tries different password combinations repeatedly until they find the right one. Passwords are stored as encrypted hashes, and hackers use various methods to crack these hashes.
Despite advances in technology and security, 90-day expirations are still recommended by industry standards, such as PCI compliance. Many Houston construction companies stick to these policies, but Impress IT Solutions can help you explore if this is still the best practice for your business.
Why Some Houston Companies Are Moving Away from Expirations
The case for ‘never expire’ passwords usually comes down to convenience. Construction companies in Houston are managing several moving parts on any given day—teams, materials, and tight deadlines. Frequent password resets can seem like just one more hassle for employees and a heavy load on IT.
Data shows that up to 50% of IT help desk calls are related to password resets. For many construction firms, this adds up in time and money. By reducing the frequency of password changes, companies hope to cut costs and minimize disruptions.
But Impress IT Solutions knows that a convenient password policy doesn’t have to come at the cost of security. We can help you streamline password management without taking on additional risks.
The Risks of ‘Never Expire’ Passwords for Houston Construction Companies
Houston’s construction sector is highly competitive, and data security breaches can be catastrophic. While setting passwords to never expire might seem like a solution, it creates significant vulnerabilities.
- Phishing and Data Breaches: Even strong passwords aren’t immune to phishing attacks, where hackers trick employees into giving up their credentials. Once a password is stolen, a ‘never expire’ setting gives hackers long-term access to your system. In an industry like construction, where sensitive project information is often shared, this can have severe consequences.
- Password Reuse: Employees often reuse the same passwords across multiple platforms. If a worker’s password is compromised on a personal app like social media or email, hackers can use it to access your company’s data. A LastPass survey found that 59% of users admit to reusing passwords even though they know the risks.
- Undetected Breaches: The Ponemon Institute reports that it can take an average of 207 days for a company to detect a data breach. With a ‘never expire’ policy, hackers have plenty of time to exploit compromised credentials without being noticed.
How Impress IT Solutions Can Help Houston Companies Stay Secure
At Impress IT Solutions, we understand the unique challenges construction companies in Houston face when it comes to managing IT and cybersecurity. Here’s how we can help protect your company’s digital assets:
- Custom Password Policies: Instead of relying on outdated expiration schedules, we help Houston businesses create modern, robust password policies that balance security with convenience. This includes encouraging longer, more complex passwords that are much harder to crack.
- Compromised Password Monitoring: We go beyond basic security measures with continuous monitoring for breached passwords. If any of your employees’ credentials are compromised in a third-party breach, our system alerts you immediately and prompts the user to reset their password.
- Streamlined Password Management: We integrate secure, user-friendly password management tools into your company’s workflow. Whether it’s through Active Directory integration or automated password resets, we help reduce IT ticket loads while ensuring employees maintain strong, secure passwords.
- Phishing Protection and Employee Training: Houston’s construction companies are at constant risk of phishing attacks, especially with field teams accessing data remotely. Impress IT Solutions offers comprehensive security training for your employees, teaching them how to recognize phishing scams and protect their credentials.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Passwords alone are often not enough. We help construction firms in Houston implement MFA, requiring additional authentication beyond just a password to access sensitive data, adding an extra layer of protection.
Why Houston Construction Companies Need to Take Password Management Seriously
The construction industry in Houston is booming, and with that growth comes an increased need for stronger digital security. As hackers target businesses that handle valuable project data, making simple changes like setting passwords to never expire can leave your company open to breaches.
With Impress IT Solutions, your Houston-based construction company can adopt password management practices that protect your business without adding unnecessary complexity to your IT infrastructure. We help you stay focused on what matters most—building projects—while we manage your cybersecurity.
Want to learn more about how Impress IT Solutions can help you protect your construction company from the risks of compromised passwords? Contact us today for a consultation.