A shared “passwords.xlsx” file looks like a simple solution — until it’s sent to the wrong person, lost along with a laptop, or simply forgotten and never updated.
Storing passwords in a shared document means anyone with access to the file sees absolutely every login — whether or not they actually need it for their specific work. This isn’t a theoretical risk, it’s a very practical one: the more people who can see the file, the more points where information can leak.
What secure password management looks like in practice
- Access to a specific password is granted only to those who actually need it
- Passwords are linked to a specific project or client, not stored in one shared pile
- When a password changes, the update is visible to everyone with access, no manual resending required