--- title: "Safety First: Password Management Best Practices for Dealerships" description: Keeping your dealership secure starts with password management, and we're giving you the best practices that will help make your passwords stronger. image: https://blog.colorado.auto/hubfs/CADA_b%20(2).png --- [![cada logo](https://blog.colorado.auto/hubfs/download-4.png)](https://www.colorado.auto/contact-information) [Blog](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider) [Insider](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/tag/insider) [Member News](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/tag/member-news) # Safety First: Password Management Best Practices for Dealerships ![Happy couple at a dealership buying a new car.](https://blog.colorado.auto/hubfs/CADA_b%20(2).png) In today’s world, managing an endless stream of passwords is a fact of life and business. Here’s how you and your employees can take steps to build stronger passwords:  ## **Begin with These Password Essentials** Password management requires building unique, complex passwords that can’t be easily guessed. Start with these three best practices: - Make them long (aim for at least 10 to 12 characters, but 16 to 18 or even 20 is better) - Avoid using common names, places and dictionary words - Use a random mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters along with numbers and symbols ## **Try Turning a Sentence or Phrase into a Password** Creating strong passwords is one thing, remembering them is another. To give your brain a break, consider a sentence or phrase you can easily recall. Then, combine that approach with the tips from above — by spelling out the phrase with letters, numbers and symbols. For example: - I use to live in Wisconsin = iu$ed2lIvNW! - Summer rain clouds = suM3rra!nclwdZ ## **Give Your Memory a Fighting Chance** If you want to harness the power of a memorization method, apply the PAO (Person-Action-Object) method to your password creation. With this method, you visualize a person, an action and an object, then create a story. For instance, if your words are: **Person:** Tom Hanks **Action:** reading **Object:** coffee Then the story would be: Tom Hanks is reading with a coffee. Once you have the story down, create a password using the tips from above, like THnxRd!ngcf3e. ## **Don’t Reuse the Same Password** Using the same password for all your devices and accounts is the virtual equivalent of putting all your eggs in one basket. One data breach could put all of your information in jeopardy everywhere you’ve used that password. ## **Enable Multi-Factor Authentication** Many sites and services have added additional layers of security to help protect users and avoid account breaches. Depending on the site, it may email or text a code to confirm your identity every time you log on. By enabling multi-factor authentication when possible, you can add another barrier between your personal information and cybercriminals.  ## **Sign Up for a Password Management Service** Another way to keep track of your passwords is to sign up for a password management service for your business. These services encrypt and store your passwords for you and even generate random new passwords when needed. Here is a list of password managers we recommend: - [1Password](https://1password.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=10693428718&utm_content=452812977056&utm_term=best%20password%20app&gclid=CjwKCAjw3ueiBhBmEiwA4BhspPsO7aDYi23rkmvWGsSaaIBLCUOEB4PFuOIB-JRbYFu_vYqK1L8gghoCd3AQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds) - [LastPass](https://www.lastpass.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=19546987156&utm_content=146499740633&utm_term=lastpass&sfdcid=7014P0000010Wn8QAE&gclid=CjwKCAjw3ueiBhBmEiwA4BhspBx5c_BNHpemGRFAuexk48eTyCkUZlz9rfZeawQ5Obt4gVWD8D-d7hoCI0UQAvD_BwE) - [Dashlane](https://www.dashlane.com/?utm_source=adwords&utm_campaign=US_Search_Brand_Exact&utm_medium=Paidsearch&utm_term=HP&gclid=CjwKCAjw3ueiBhBmEiwA4BhspEyo5GpXh8IM9NsytxpbVQo8BS-otpkPHK_vPM5-lIlFcMldaTB5lRoCjmwQAvD_BwE) - [Bitwarden](https://bitwarden.com/) - [RoboForm](https://www.roboform.com/) Generally, these solutions require a single master password that allows each user to access their stored information. Using one of these services for your business can help you get all of your employees on the same page with password security. ## **Security is the Foundation of Customer Trust** The final piece is to make sure your whole team is following these best practices. Your business is only as secure as your weakest password, so make sure to distribute best practices and regularly remind team members to update and refresh their secured logins. ## **Don't Miss Out on Updates: Subscribe to Our Weekly Open Road Email** Stay up-to-date on the latest industry insights and news for your dealership. Get all the essential information delivered straight to your inbox, and be the first to know about tips that help improve the inner workings of your dealership. [Sign up](https://share.hsforms.com/1U6szUg78QL2ox0ZfVl0EEw358bc) for Open Road today! Previous Post ###### [STATE LEGISLATIVE RECAP](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/state-legislative-recap) Next Post ###### [Evolving Finance and Insurance Practices to Exceed Customer Expectations](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/evolving-finance-and-insurance-practices-to-exceed-customer-expectations) ### Similar Blog Posts [![receiving a check in the mail](https://blog.colorado.auto/hs-fs/hubfs/CADA_b%20(5).png?width=352&name=CADA_b%20(5).png)](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/tips-for-protecting-your-dealership-against-check-washing-and-theft) ###### [Tips for Protecting Your Dealership Against Check Washing and Theft](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/tips-for-protecting-your-dealership-against-check-washing-and-theft) [![](https://blog.colorado.auto/hs-fs/hubfs/CADA_b%20(3).png?width=352&name=CADA_b%20(3).png)](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/evolving-finance-and-insurance-practices-to-exceed-customer-expectations) ###### [Evolving Finance and Insurance Practices to Exceed Customer Expectations](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/evolving-finance-and-insurance-practices-to-exceed-customer-expectations) [![electric vehicle charging](https://blog.colorado.auto/hs-fs/hubfs/Stock%20images/AdobeStock_125980820.jpeg?width=352&name=AdobeStock_125980820.jpeg)](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/colorado-auto-dealers-emissions-standards) ###### [Navigating EPA's New Emissions Standards and EV Tax Credit Changes for Colorado Auto Dealers](https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/colorado-auto-dealers-emissions-standards) [![cada logo](https://blog.colorado.auto/hubfs/download-4.png)](https://www.colorado.auto/) The Colorado Automobile Dealers Association (CADA) is the voice of the automotive retail industry throughout the state. As the automobile dealer trade association, CADA advocates issues of importance to the auto industry in general, Colorado auto dealers in particular and  Colorado's driving public. [Learn More About The Colorado Auto Dealers Association](https://www.colorado.auto/) --- [facebook icon](https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoAutomobileDealersAssociation/) [linkedin icon](https://www.linkedin.com/company/colorado-auto-dealers-association/) [twitter icon](https://twitter.com/drivecolorado) [envelope icon](mailto:info@colorado.auto) [link icon](https://www.colorado.auto/) Copyright © Colorado Automobile Dealers Association | ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Colorado Auto Dealers Association", "url" : "https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/author/colorado-auto-dealers-association" }, "dateModified" : "2023-06-22T15:23:46.992Z", "datePublished" : "2023-06-22T15:23:46.000Z", "headline" : "Safety First: Password Management Best Practices for Dealerships", "image" : [ "https://blog.colorado.auto/hubfs/CADA_b%20(2).png" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://blog.colorado.auto/colorado-auto-insider/safety-first-password-management-best-practices-for-dealerships", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://blog.colorado.auto/hubfs/CADA%20logo%20low%20res-Feb-17-2022-07-45-19-88-PM.png" }, "name" : "Colorado Automobile Dealers Association" } } ```