Posted by: Stina Boge, Product Communication Manager, itslearning
itslearning updates security with the use of 2FA and increased password length
One of the top concerns organisations have about learning management systems is data security. Will sensitive information be vulnerable? Who will be able to access personal data and valuable online training resources?
At itslearning one of our main focuses is keeping your data safe and secure. As a part of this we have strengthened the password security in our platform and activated two-factor authentication (2FA) for all administrators.
Why should you improve your online account security?
Before addressing the questions “Why should you increase password length?” and “What is 2FA?”, let’s first consider why it’s important to improve your online account security. With so much of our lives taking place on systems and devices, it’s no wonder our digital accounts have become magnets for criminals. Regrettably, cyberattacks and breaches are big business – bad actors with an endless stream of sinister motives populate the internet, ready to pounce on insecure data and immature security practices.
With recent events in the world, several government agencies recognise a heightened possibility for cyber-attacks that may affect us in many ways. Malicious attacks against governments, companies, and individuals are increasingly common. Luckily, there are a few simple steps we can take to add an extra level of protection to both our professional and personal accounts. We’ll get back to those shortly.
Bad habits lead to…
Let’s face it, many of us tend to create terrible passwords and rarely change them. Today, every account, system, and device we need has its own password-creation rules, and it’s becoming increasingly difficult (maybe impossible) to keep track of all access keys. Writing down passwords, re-using the same one for all systems and using easy-to-remember words or phrases are problems that are a direct consequence of the overload of passwords we all must use on a regular basis. With too many passwords to remember, people often choose weaker ones that are less secure. So, what can we do about it?
Length and complexity increase strength
When we talk about password “strength”, we’re talking about how difficult it would be to crack your password by trying all possible combinations of characters. According to the Center for Internet Security (CIS), length is the most important aspect of a good password. Short and simple passwords can be cracked in a matter of seconds. Long and complicated ones? Trillions of years.
That’s according to a recent study by Hive Systems, a cybersecurity company which breaks down just how long it would probably take the average hacker to crack the passwords safeguarding your most important online accounts.
Adding characters to a password increases the strength exponentially, but there’s a lot more to password security than just length versus complexity. Here are some steps you can take to make sure your passwords are as strong as possible:
Use a password manager if you can.
Try to use a password that is at least 12 characters in length.
Use a randomly generated password (especially if the site limits your password length).
Avoid common words and character combinations in your password (such as the word ‘password’!), or anything associated with you that someone could find out through for example social media.
Don’t reuse the same password on multiple systems.
If you must remember your password, consider using a passphrase (a longer string of text that makes up a phrase or sentence).
If you have to write your password down, keep it in a secure place, like a locked file drawer. Don’t leave it lying next to your keyboard or taped to your monitor.
Enable 2-factor authentication if the site offers it.
Check if your passwords have been stolen and change them if necessary. Tools such as Mozilla’s Firefox Monitor and Google’s Password Checkup can show you which of your email addresses and passwords have been compromised in a data breach so you can take action.
Updated security measures in itslearning
In the latest release of our platform, we’ve made some updates to both password requirements and two-factor login for administrators.
We have increased the minimum length of passwords, to make sure the default settings are at a secure level. Although we allow for low complexity passwords in specific circumstances, we strongly advise against it. Our recommendation will always be to have the highest complexity settings.
2FA adds an additional layer of security to your online accounts. It requires an additional login credential – beyond just the username and password – to gain account access, and getting that second credential requires access to something that belongs to you.
2FA has been enabled and mandatory for system administrators since early 2019 but is now available for all local administrators. Although this is not mandatory, we strongly encourage you to use this option. Your system administrator will receive more information about both these security measures and how to administer them for their organisations.
You can read more about Two-Factor Authentication in this article by our Data Protection Officer, John Arthur Berg.
Subscribe to our newsletter
Keep reading…
The need to protect sensitive information in cyberspace is growing. How does it affect universities?
Higher Ed
The need to protect sensitive information in cyberspace is growing. How does it affect universities?
February 15, 2023
Equitable education for all
Community
Equitable education for all
February 6, 2023
Free digital courses for displaced Ukrainians
Community
Free digital courses for displaced Ukrainians
January 23, 2023
Five classroom activities for Kid Inventors’ Day
News
Five classroom activities for Kid Inventors’ Day
January 16, 2023
How to engage your students in the new year
Community
How to engage your students in the new year
January 13, 2023
itslearning at the 3rd International Lillehammer Lifelong Learning ICDE Conference in February
Community
itslearning at the 3rd International Lillehammer Lifelong Learning ICDE Conference in February
January 10, 2023
itslearning proud to sponsor African Promise Christmas carol service
Community
itslearning proud to sponsor African Promise Christmas carol service
December 2, 2022
Educators agree data protection and user-friendliness are the main reasons to use an LMS
Higher Ed
Educators agree data protection and user-friendliness are the main reasons to use an LMS
November 29, 2022
Tanzania is raising the quality of education together with itslearning and the Norwegian government
Higher Ed
Tanzania is raising the quality of education together with itslearning and the Norwegian government
November 24, 2022
How lifelong learning is changing 21st-century society
Community
How lifelong learning is changing 21st-century society
November 15, 2022
itslearning externships offers University of Bergen students real-world experience
Community
itslearning externships offers University of Bergen students real-world experience
November 10, 2022
Every Educator Needs a Modern, Versatile and Empowered Way to Support Students’ Progress
Community
Every Educator Needs a Modern, Versatile and Empowered Way to Support Students’ Progress
October 26, 2022
How did a new LMS drive pedagogical transformation at the University of Southern Denmark?
Higher Ed
How did a new LMS drive pedagogical transformation at the University of Southern Denmark?
October 24, 2022
itslearning at the 28th Annual OEB Global Conference in Berlin
Community
itslearning at the 28th Annual OEB Global Conference in Berlin
October 20, 2022
DevDays festival – putting users first
Community
DevDays festival – putting users first
October 10, 2022
The new itslearning and Microsoft Teams integration
Higher Ed
The new itslearning and Microsoft Teams integration
September 15, 2022
Layering security to protect your data
News
Layering security to protect your data
June 21, 2022
Data security and a good support package are essential when choosing an LMS
Community
Data security and a good support package are essential when choosing an LMS
May 18, 2022
itslearning is available in Ukrainian
Highlights
itslearning is available in Ukrainian
May 3, 2022
University Campus Oldham migrates from an Open Source LMS to itslearning
Community
University Campus Oldham migrates from an Open Source LMS to itslearning