'Somewhat risky': Employees from 6 countries rate their cybersecurity habits

More than a third of employees across the world confessed that their workplace security habits are risky, according to a new report.

Bitwarden surveyed 2,400 individuals from the US, UK, Australia, France, Germany, and Japan to look into individuals' cybersecurity practices.

It found that six per cent of employees would rate their workplace security habits as "very risky," while 31% said they were "somewhat risky."

The risky security habits include using weak or personal info-based passwords (39%) and not using two-factor authentication (33%).

Many employees also admitted to relying on memory (53%), as well as pen and paper (34%) to remember passwords for their workplace accounts.

Nearly half further admitted that they frequently or very frequently reuse passwords across workplace platforms or accounts, the report found.

The findings come amid calls to improve cybersecurity practices across workplaces in the wake of emerging and rapidly evolving cyberthreats.

Encouraging cybersecurity habits

Despite these worrying habits, Bitwarden's survey also found encouraging trends across workplaces.

More than three in five (65%) said they have made some improvements or have enhanced their safeguards to security posture. More than half (51%) of the respondents who have adopted a password manager at home said they are more security conscious at work.

Another 45% said they reuse their passwords less frequently, and 41% said they using two-factor authentication for most workplace accounts.

According to the report, 45% of all respondents have also adopted passkeys, but 40% said they don't fully understand their security advantages.

"Transparent communication and strong security assurances are essential to address these issues, boost user confidence, and promote broader acceptance of passkeys," the report said.