By Justin Hermann
Co-Founder and Technology Consultant at smartIT
In every workplace, there comes a moment when someone needs access quickly. A new employee joins, a contractor starts work, or a client needs to view a shared system. Too often, the quick fix is sending a password over email, Slack, or even writing it down on a sticky note.
While it may feel convenient, this practice exposes your organization to unnecessary risks. A single leaked password can compromise not just one account but potentially dozens if employees reuse credentials across platforms.
Why Companies Cannot Afford Risky Password Sharing
Email and chat are not secure: Once credentials are sent, they can be intercepted, forwarded, or linger in archives.
No visibility or control: After someone has the password, there is no way to track how or how often it is used.
Limited offboarding options: When a contractor’s engagement ends or an employee leaves, IT is forced to reset passwords and disrupt workflows.
Compliance concerns: Many industries require documented access controls. Sharing passwords informally makes audits and accountability much harder.
The Secure Alternative: Password Managers with Team Sharing
Modern password managers solve these problems by giving companies a way to share access without sharing the actual password.
Look for a solution that provides:
Encrypted, secure sharing so credentials never travel through insecure channels
Granular access control so you can share only what is needed and revoke access with a click
Audit logs to maintain visibility into who accessed what and support compliance efforts
Zero-knowledge security so even the provider cannot see your company’s data
Business Benefits Beyond Security
Streamlined onboarding and offboarding by granting and revoking access in minutes without resetting accounts
Improved efficiency for teams by reducing IT help desk tickets tied to “lost” or “changed” passwords
Stronger client confidence by showing that your company takes data protection seriously
A Smarter Way Forward
Password sharing will always be part of the modern workplace. What matters is how you manage it. By adopting a secure password manager designed for businesses, your organization can balance productivity with protection.
Your employees deserve easy collaboration. Your company deserves strong security. With the right tools, you can have both.
It is time to stop sharing passwords the wrong way and start sharing access securely.
