Bitwarden has partnered with Ascend Technology Group, enabling the managed service provider to enhance security for its clients through open source credential management solutions.

Ascend Technology Group, based in Nebraska, has accomplished full password management adoption among its clients, maintaining a 97% retention rate. By leveraging the Bitwarden partner program, Ascend delivers credential security solutions that reinforce secure habits while educating users on effective password management.

Previously, Ascend offered password management as part of its security services but encountered resistance from clients. The shift to Bitwarden was driven by a desire for a more user-friendly and secure option, as highlighted by Ascend President John Gerdes. “We pushed Bitwarden out to our own employee base and after discovering how well it worked, started promoting it as part of our security stack and recommending it to clients,” he said, noting positive feedback and improved client education.

The zero-knowledge encryption model implemented by Bitwarden was pivotal in Ascend’s decision. With AES-256 encryption safeguarding every credential in Bitwarden vaults, businesses maintain a robust security framework that ensures exclusive access to sensitive data.

Ascend has optimized its IT services through this partnership, streamlining processes including client onboarding and billing. “The new and improved Bitwarden MSP program has been highly beneficial for our clients,” added Gerdes.

To promote adoption, Ascend emphasizes the importance of securing executive buy-in. Educating leadership on the risks associated with weak passwords has been crucial. Gerdes cited the risks tied to compromised credentials and the effectiveness of password managers in mitigating such threats.

Furthermore, Bitwarden has helped foster a culture of security awareness among Ascend’s clients. “Clients are learning that having an Excel file on their desktop that says ‘passwords’ is not secure,” Gerdes noted, highlighting the shift towards adopting unique passwords.

The Bitwarden partner program offers managed service providers the capacity to deliver advanced password management tailored to various client needs, integrating enterprise single sign-on (SSO), flexible deployment options, and comprehensive APIs.