The Hidden Security Risks in Employee Onboarding: How to Deliver a Password Securely

Finn Jensen | Founder, FastPasscorp

Employee onboarding is a critical process that sets the foundation for security and efficiency in any organization. However, traditional onboarding methods come with inherent security risks, particularly when it comes to providing new employees with their initial credentials. How can organizations ensure that a new employee receives their first password securely—without it being seen, shared, or intercepted by others?

Hidden Security Risks in Employee Onboarding

The Security Challenges of Traditional Onboarding

Manual Password Distribution – In many companies, IT administrators generate an initial password and either print it, write it down, or send it via email. This method is highly insecure and prone to leaks.
Intermediary Involvement – Managers or HR personnel may act as intermediaries, relaying passwords to new employees. This creates an opportunity for insider threats or accidental exposure.
Phishing and Social Engineering Risks – If passwords are sent via email or text, attackers can use phishing techniques to intercept and misuse credentials before the employee even logs in.
Password Storage Issues – Some organizations use shared spreadsheets or insecure databases to store and distribute passwords, making them vulnerable to breaches.
Lack of Authentication Before First Login – Without a strong identity verification process in place, there’s no guarantee that the person receiving the password is actually the intended employee.

A Secure Approach to First-Time Password Delivery

The solution is a streamlined and automated process that ensures a password is provided directly to the employee—without any third-party intervention. Using FastPass, organizations can securely initiate the password registration process while eliminating the vulnerabilities of traditional methods.

Secure Registration Methods with FastPass

Example A: User Created with an Email Address (No Initial Password)

The user is created in your user repository, e.g., Active Directory (AD), with an email address but no initial password.
The user is moved to a specific AD group via automation.
A password reset link is deployed on the user's desktop via a standard software deployment tool (e.g., SCCM).
FastPass detects new users in the group through the integrated Discovery Service.
An invitation email/SMS with a secure portal link is sent to the user.
The user accesses the portal and receives a one-time PIN via email.
After authentication, the user sets their new password securely.

Example B: User Created with Email and Shared Secret

The user is created in AD, and FastPass generates an invitation PIN.
The user is moved to a specific AD group for enrollment.
FastPass checks for new users and sends an invitation SMS.
The user enters their username and the shared secret (sent securely via email/SMS).
The user sets their new password in the secure portal.

Example C: Manager-Assisted Verification

The user is created in AD with manager information.
When the user initiates the enrollment process, an email with a verification link is sent to their manager.
The manager authenticates and approves the user’s identity.
The user then receives a secure password reset option in the portal.

Example D: Enhanced Security with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

The user is created with email and manager details in AD.
The user initiates the enrollment process through an automated AD group transition.
The manager verifies the user's identity via FastPass.
The user is prompted to scan a QR code to register a TOTP device.
After authentication, the user sets their new password securely.

Why This Matters for Cybersecurity

By adopting a secure password registration method, organizations can:

Eliminate the risks associated with manual password sharing.
Reduce exposure to phishing and insider threats.
Ensure compliance with security regulations (e.g., GDPR, ISO 27001).
Improve the employee experience by providing a frictionless and secure onboarding process.

*Download the full PDF of the Secure Registration Methods with FastPass below:

Download PDF

Final Thoughts

Security is only as strong as the weakest link, and employee onboarding is often overlooked as a critical vulnerability. By implementing a secure and automated password registration system with FastPass, businesses can safeguard their new employees while eliminating unnecessary risks.

Are you ready to upgrade your employee onboarding security? Contact us to learn more about how FastPass can streamline and protect your organization’s authentication process.