Canadian Business Passwords are Shockingly Predictable

New research reveals weak passwords that are putting Canadian businesses at risk.

Million-of-the-kind Business Passwords

Businesses spend millions on advertising, branding, and cutting-edge innovations to stay ahead of the competition. Yet, when it comes to cybersecurity, many overlook one of the most basic security measures – strong passwords. The latest research from NordPass reveals that corporate passwords are shockingly predictable across industries, making businesses an easy target for cybercriminals.

NordPass, in partnership with NordStellar, analyzed password usage across 11 industries and 44 countries, uncovering a concerning reality: employees are still using weak, easy-to-crack passwords that leave companies exposed. From healthcare to finance, technology to education, businesses continue to rely on credentials that hackers can guess in seconds.

“It’s shocking to see that, despite years of warnings, businesses continue to use weak passwords that are incredibly easy for hackers to exploit. Cybercriminals don’t need sophisticated tools to breach a company when employees are using “password” or their own names to protect sensitive data,” says Karolis Arbaciauskas, head of business product at NordPass.

The Issue is Global

NordPass research analyzed the most commonly used corporate passwords across 44 countries, revealing that weak password habits are not limited to any one region. In every country studied, predictable credentials – such as simple number sequences, common words, and even company-related terms – leave businesses vulnerable to cyber threats.

Experts also observed a concerning trend: default passwords like “newmember,” “admin,” “newuser,” and “welcome” are frequently used for business accounts. Additionally, temporary placeholders such as “newpass” and “temppass,” which are meant to be changed, often remain in use – creating an open door for cybercriminals.

Across all industries and regions, the most commonly breached corporate passwords show a clear pattern: employees continue to rely on easy-to-guess credentials.

Here are the TOP 20 not-so-secret business passwords in Canada:

1. 123456
2. password
3. 123456789
4. 12345678
5. qwerty123
6. qwerty
7. qwerty1
8. abc123
9. hockey
10. welcome
11. 111111
12. Password
13. password1
14. bailey
15. sunshine
16. summer
17. Password1
18. canada
19. maggie
20. jonathan

The Role of Weak Passwords in Corporate Data Breaches

• Reused passwords – Employees often recycle the same passwords across multiple accounts, making it easy for hackers to gain access.

• Risky password-sharing habits – Sharing passwords via email or messaging apps increases the likelihood of breaches.

• Human error – Many breaches occur due to simple mistakes, highlighting the need for better cybersecurity awareness training.

• Lack of secure infrastructure – Businesses without robust security policies are prime targets for cybercriminals.

According to Arbaciauskas, businesses must prioritize cybersecurity by implementing cyber resilience plans, employee training, and network security solutions like business VPNs. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a crucial layer of defense, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Weak password management remains a major vulnerability, with many breaches caused by compromised credentials. Arbaciauskas recommends using password managers for secure storage and exploring passkeys – adopted by industry leaders like Google and Apple – as a safer alternative to traditional passwords.

ABOUT NORDPASS

NordPass is a password manager for both business and consumer clients. It’s powered by the latest technology for the utmost security. Developed with affordability, simplicity, and ease of use in mind, NordPass allows users to access passwords securely on desktop, mobile, and browsers. All passwords are encrypted on the device, so only the user can access them. NordPass was created by the experts behind NordVPN — the advanced security and privacy app. For more information: nordpass.com.

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Last Updated on May 11, 2025 by Melody McKinnon, Online Business & Marketing Manager

  Canadian small business, security