1/3 of Workers Write Down Passwords

A new study released Tuesday indicates that corporate employees are compromising security through poor password practices. Over one-third either electronically record or write down their passwords, and methods aimed at keeping data safe through complex password security strategies may be a waste of time.

Because so many are writing down passwords rather than committing them to memory, "it's like leaving the key under the mat or in the flower box," Nucleus Research senior analyst David O'Connell said. "Companies looking to ensure security should look beyond passwords to other authentication strategies."

Of those who write down their passwords, two-thirds store it on either a mobile device or on a PC.

Nucleus said that people were writing these passwords down regardless of their complexity, making most companies' password security strategies useless. Thus, single sign-on is as effective as more complex schemes, it said.

"These findings are very relevant to the individuals searching for security solutions," said Rachel Spasser, senior vice president, Business Planning and Corporate Development, KnowledgeStorm. "They should be taken into consideration in the selection process when companies are looking to implement an effective security solution."