Protecting these systems requires a layered and strategic approach. And as the industry continues to witness the strengthened convergence of physical and cybersecurity, strong password management policy, coupled with other security measures, has become a crucial component of defense.

Strong, Unique Passwords Matter

Every device, from cameras, access panels, and controllers to servers are prone to attacks. And if weak or reused passwords protect any of these inflection points, an intruder could exploit that gap to move laterally into more sensitive parts of the infrastructure. And with some enterprise organizations maintaining hundreds of devices, there is no shortage of entry points for bad actors. This is where strong password management is critical.

For many security teams, password management can easily fall through the cracks while tackling bigger, more urgent projects. But putting it off, even temporarily, can set off a chain reaction of vulnerabilities across the organization. By following password management best practices and leveraging outsourced support or automation, teams can get ahead of potential threats and build a stronger security foundation.

Best practices include:

• Longer passphrases: In today’s corporate environment, a password should contain 14+ special characters and numbers as well. This is the new gold standard with the use of passphrases, or longer but easier to remember phrases, being highly encouraged.

• Unique credentials: Each device and system should have its own unique password to prevent cascading breaches.

• Remove defaults: Manufacturer passwords like “admin/admin” are widely known and must be changed immediately.

• Limit failed attempts: Programming lockouts or direct alerts after repeated failures help prevent brute-force attacks through early detection.

• Change password regularly: It’s recommended to change your device and system passwords at least once a year.

With consistent rotation, it may be difficult to remember the latest iteration of your secure passwords across devices. This is where password management tools can be leveraged to simplify this process by generating, storing, and rotating complex, unique passwords across multiple systems.

The Human Element

In modern physical security systems, effective password management boils down to the people behind the technology. Every user, whether an administrator, operator, or general staff member, should have a unique credential and password. This minimizes the use of shared or generic credentials and enhances traceability for auditing purposes.

For example, instead of using a generic operator log-in for your systems, each operator should have a specific named account and unique password only known to them. Maintaining this structure not only improves security posture but also ensures compliance through reliable audit trails.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is another safeguard that adds an important layer of protection by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple authentication methods. This approach combines something you know or have (such as a password or badge) with something you are (such as a fingerprint or facial recognition) to ensure that the individual requesting access is truly authorized. By reducing reliance on a single password, MFA significantly decreases the risk of unauthorized access and credential misuse. Something to note, while most modern, cloud-based platforms natively support MFA, many legacy systems still lag behind.

Beyond technology, people remain one of the most important factors in effective password management and overall system security. It’s not uncommon for passwords to be unintentionally leaked through sneaky attempts at information theft. Because of that, it’s important to implement regular employee training on phishing, credential hygiene, and emerging AI-driven social engineering threats to help ensure that human behavior aligns with system safeguards. As attacks grow more sophisticated, awareness and rapid reporting are as vital to physical security as any camera or access control system.

Keep Software and Firmware Up to Date

In a world of interconnected devices, outdated software and firmware can counteract even the strongest password management efforts. According to SecuriThings, 57% of physical security devices run on outdated firmware, and 40% are vulnerable to attack as a result, making unpatched systems one of the most common entry points for attackers.

From servers and cameras to back-end platforms, every device and application in a security ecosystem should be kept current. Keeping up with your manufacturer’s latest compatibility charts and deploying necessary firmware and vulnerability patches means that teams can address unknown, or even unintentional, gaps lurking in their system before they are exposed. As a best practice, firmware should be updated annually or as needed to take advantage of new features, while vulnerability patches should be applied as soon as they’re released.

As discussed, it’s easy for these seemingly routine tasks to become an afterthought. For many, this is where automation can prove impactful. Wherever possible, enabling automatic updates, or using a trusted third party to manage them, will ensure that firmware and software patches are applied promptly and consistently. This not only helps to maintain a secure baseline but also reduces manual workload and the risk of human oversight.

Conclusion

Password management is no longer solely an IT concern but rather a critical element of every physical security program. However, a security practitioner’s responsibility doesn’t stop there. To truly protect the integrity of your security technology, it demands consistent software updates, clearly defined user privileges, and automated verification to ensure every device and connection remains secure.

At Northland Controls, we are dedicated to the convergence of physical and cybersecurity. By leveraging world-class engineers and proven security best practices, we help clients with system hardening and performance optimization, automating tasks such as firmware updates, vulnerability patches, and system upgrades, to ensure systems remain current, resilient, and protected against potential threats. To learn more about automating system health monitoring and updates to enhance protection and efficiency of your business, contact us today!