Six in ten Irish workers reuse passwords across work and personal accounts

Almost one in six (15%) Irish workers have potentially increased cybersecurity risks for their employers by sharing their work login details or passwords with someone outside their organisation
Insights

15 July 2026

Almost six in ten (59%) Irish employees are leaving themselves and their employers vulnerable to hackers by using the same passwords across their personal and work online accounts. Of these one in five (18%) admit to “always” doing so.

According to new research from the leading Irish insurance broker, Gallagher and the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) (conducted by Censuswide), which surveyed the cybersecurity habits of 500 employees in Irish businesses, almost one in six (15%) Irish workers have potentially increased cybersecurity risks for their employers by sharing their work login details or passwords with someone outside their organisation – such as a friend, family member or partner.

“Our survey shows that employees can be the weakest link when it comes to cybersecurity. Poor password habits, sharing work login details and downloading company data to personal devices can all significantly increase the risk of a cyberattack,” Michael Cunningham, head of Financial Lines at Gallagher, said.

 

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He added: “while reusing passwords may be convenient, it’s a risky practice. If one account is compromised, hackers could gain access not only to an employee’s personal accounts but also to their employer’s systems. Alongside having appropriate cyber insurance, businesses need to educate employees and have clear policies on acceptable cyber practices.”

“It’s also concerning that one in six Irish employees have worked from abroad without informing their employer, potentially exposing company data to unsecured Wi-Fi networks and increasing the risk of device loss or theft,” Cunningham said.

Headline findings from the Gallagher Cybersecurity research reveal:

  • almost one in four (24%) have forwarded, copied or downloaded company data to a personal device or storage account,
  • around one in six (16%) have worked from abroad without notifying or getting approval from their employer,
  • when asked how they would act if they received a suspicious email or lost a work device, nearly a quarter (24%) said they wouldn’t report it immediately – if they reported it at all.

Top 10 cybersecurity tips for employees

To ensure an employee doesn’t compromise their employer’s IT security, Gallagher is advising workers to take the following steps:

  1. Regularly change passwords for online accounts. Use strong passwords and don’t reuse passwords across multiple accounts, including across work and personal accounts.
  2. Make sure adequate security and anti-virus software are on your PC and other devices, such as iPads or smartphones.
  3. Avoid clicking on links from social media or pop-up ads when on a work device; instead, type the website address directly into your browser.
  4. Regularly update software on your work and personal computers as updates often include security patches that address vulnerabilities and this in turn could potentially prevent cyber-attacks and data breaches.
  5. Don’t access sensitive company information when on a public internet network – such as when in coffee shops, airports and hotels.  While it might seem convenient, you’re more vulnerable to scams when using a public internet network – and confidential data could fall into the wrong hands if you transfer it over such a network. Be particularly wary of a public network that’s password free.
  6. Never forward, copy or download company data to a personal device or storage account.
  7. Never share work login details or passwords with someone outside your organisation, no matter how much you trust them.
  8. Always notify your employer if you are working abroad and take additional security precautions.
  9. Set an auto-lock timer for your screen so that it locks when you’re away from it, even if working from home.
  10. Do not allow family members or friends to use your work laptop or devices.

“Many employees may not fully appreciate the scale of today’s cyber threats, but the consequences for businesses can be severe, ranging from financial losses to business failure. Employers must continue to raise awareness, provide training and ensure staff understand the important role they play in protecting the organisation,” Cunningham said.

Patryk Goron

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