By Laura Lawrence | May 15, 2024

Let's be honest, as a social media manager, you're not just crafting witty captions and posting cool content – you're also the guardian of your clients' digital reputations. It's time to level up your security game and fortify those accounts against ever-present hackers and scammers. Here's how:

Passwords: Your First Line of Defense:

Learn how to be the champion of complex passwords

Encourage your clients to ditch the predictable pet names and birthdays. (We know you love your dog, but “Buddy123” seems pretty obvious. Just sayin’.) Think of a memorable phrase that can easily be modified with symbols and numbers.

Password manager = your best friend

Invest in tools like LastPass or 1Password to streamline password management and give yourself (and your client) peace of mind. Also, break the habit of saving passwords as plain text on your devices. (Raise your hand if you’ve ever used the “notes” app to save a password. Yep! I’m guilty of it, too!)

Enforce regular updates

Keep passwords fresh by making account-wide changes every 60-90 days. Set reminders and make this a non-negotiable part of your routine!

DM Vigilance: Trust, but Verify:

Spot phishing like a pro

Those "urgent offer" DMs or weird links, even from someone you think you know? Be suspicious! Train yourself to always question before clicking. 

Do a 'better safe than sorry' DM check

If a familiar account sends a DM that seems 'off,' verify it's really them before engaging. A quick phone call or separate email works wonders.

There are some side details here that seem random, but overall I think it’s pretty good.

Sharing with Strategy:

Tag with thoughtfulness

Develop a clear tagging policy with your clients. Is it okay to tag their locations in real-time? When is a “heads-up” necessary? Decide together for smoother communication all around.

Vet apps carefully

Before connecting shiny new apps, be sure to research the company, read reviews, and carefully scrutinize permissions. Stick with the reputable ones! I find this tip especially useful when I’m searching for editing apps.

The Proactive Security Mindset:

Mandate two-factor authentication

NO exceptions! Enable it across all your client accounts for enhanced security. We recommend Google or Duo Authentication apps!

Be the point person

Have a designated security contact for any concerns and be responsive to avoid potential issues escalating.

Stay ahead of the curve

Follow cybersecurity blogs and platform security updates. Knowledge is your most powerful tool against emerging threats!

Choose reputable social management platforms

Use platforms like Hootsuite or Sprout Social with robust security features built-in.

The Power is Yours!

As a social media manager, you're entrusted with more than just engagement metrics. By owning account security, you protect your clients' reputations and position yourself as an indispensable, trustworthy asset. 

What security precautions are working for you? We’d love to hear your additions to this general list! Send us a DM to @amr_digital on Instagram.