Credential Sharing

What is credential sharing?

Credential sharing is the practice of using someone elses user account to gain access to and to make use of a computer system or platform. At home for example, you might have one Netflix account that is used by several members of your household or even that is shared with your friends.

In the workplace, it might be tempting to let another colleague use your credentials to gain entry into a system that you have access to whilst they do not. It's worth keeping in mind that your employer will have a policy for credential usage and credential sharing is going to be among the things that you should not do.

Why is credential sharing a risk?

Credential sharing increases the risk of a restricted system being improperly accessed or falling victim to misuse. Worse so, credentials could be stolen and used by an attacker to damage your comptuer infrastructure.

If a security breach occurs in your workplace, one of the avenues of investigation will be to consider who had access to the breached system or resource. Any time a resource is accssed, a log is made of who accessed it and and at what time.

In the event that you have shared your credentials with someone and your credentials have then been used in a security breach, you could be held responsible for the consequences of the security breach.

Depending on your employers policies, this could mean that you face disciplinary action, dismissal or even face legal action.

Staying secure

• Remember, don't share your credentials even if asked to do so.
• If you are asked to share credentials, speak with your line manager.
• Make sure you're familiar with your employers IT Usage policy.