When employees leave your company, you likely focus on wrapping up projects, transferring responsibilities, and maybe even throwing a farewell party. But what happens to their logins, passwords, and access to your systems? For many small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs), the answer is… nothing. Those accounts often remain active long after employees have left, creating a hidden yet significant security risk.
It’s a surprisingly common problem, but one that can have serious consequences for your business. Let’s explore why this happens, the potential dangers, and how to fix it before it becomes a costly mistake.
How Common Is the Problem?
You’re not alone if this sounds familiar. Studies show a shocking number of businesses fail to deactivate old accounts properly. According to the State of Cloud Security 2024 report by Datadog, more than half of businesses have unused access credentials lingering in their systems. Alarmingly, 60% of AWS users have active keys over a year old, many untouched for months.
Why does this happen? SMBs often juggle competing priorities, and offboarding employees can fall through the cracks. It’s like leaving the keys under the mat after you’ve moved out—convenient but risky.
What Are the Risks of Old Credentials?
Leaving old logins active is like leaving the backdoor open, inviting potential trouble. Here’s what’s at stake:
- Unauthorized Access
Ex-employees (or worse, hackers) could exploit old logins to access sensitive data, steal intellectual property, or wreak havoc on your systems. - Insider Threats
Not all departures are on good terms. A disgruntled former employee with access to your accounts could intentionally disrupt your operations. - Regulatory and Compliance Issues
Laws like GDPR or HIPAA require strict access controls. Ignoring them can land your business in hot water, with hefty fines as the consequence. - Costly Mistakes
Some services charge per active user. Why pay for unused accounts?
How to Fix the Risk of Old Credentials
The good news? You can lock those doors and keep your business secure with a few simple steps:
1. Make Offboarding Bulletproof
Create a checklist to ensure all access—email, cloud storage, software—is revoked before the employee’s last day. Think of it as changing the locks when tenants move out.
2. Audit Your Accounts Regularly
Set a schedule (quarterly works great) to review who has access to what. Deactivate any accounts you don’t recognize or that haven’t been used in months.
3. Use Centralized Tools
Identity management platforms like Okta or AWS IAM make it easy to track and manage user access. Bonus: They also reduce human error.
4. Add Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Even if a rogue login exists, MFA adds a second layer of security, making it harder for anyone to break in.
5. Educate Your Team
Employees should know why it’s critical to keep systems secure. A little training goes a long way.
Why It Matters
For SMBs, security isn’t just about protecting data—it’s about protecting trust. Customers and clients rely on you to keep their information safe. By taking these simple steps, you’re not just closing security gaps; you’re building a stronger, more resilient business.
Ready to Take Action?
Start with an audit today. Check your active logins, identify risks, and begin implementing safeguards. It’s a small investment of time that can save you a lot of headaches (and cash) down the road.
After all, peace of mind is priceless.