Overview

Bitwarden is a secure password manager that helps you store and manage your CPCC passwords safely. This guide covers the steps to create a personal Bitwarden account using your CPCC email address and best practices for storing CPCC-related passwords.

Note: This article is intended for setting up and using Bitwarden for personal password management specifically related to CPCC accounts. Please consider the following:

• Support: Your personal Bitwarden account will not be managed by ITS. For technical support or account assistance, please contact Bitwarden directly.
• Personal vs. Work Use: Use your CPCC email address only for work-related accounts. If you intend to use Bitwarden for personal passwords unrelated to work, please register with a personal email address.
• Departmental Use Restriction: This setup is not intended for departmental or team use. Sharing passwords or using a single Bitwarden account across multiple users does not comply with organizational security guidelines and is considered an unacceptable use of Central Piedmont technology resources.

1. Create Your Bitwarden Account

1. Visit the Bitwarden Website: Open your web browser and go to Account Creation.
2. Sign Up:
   • Enter your CPCC email address as the email for this account.
   • Create a strong master password that you’ll remember, as Bitwarden uses this password to encrypt your data.
   • Confirm your master password, and follow the instructions to create your account.
   • set up Two-step Login (MFA)
3. Verify Your Email: Bitwarden will send a confirmation email to your CPCC address. Open the email and follow the verification link to activate your account.

2. Set Up Bitwarden on Your Devices
Link to bitwarden download page

• Desktop Application: Download the Bitwarden app for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux) from the Bitwarden website.
• Mobile Application: Install the Bitwarden app from your device’s app store (available on both iOS and Android).
• Browser Extension: Install the Bitwarden extension for your preferred browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.) for easier access to your passwords while browsing.

3. Adding Items to Bitwarden

Bitwarden cab be used to store Items in multiple types of data such as:

• Logins
• Cards
• Identities
• Secure Notes

1. Log in to Bitwarden on your preferred device or browser extension.
2. Add an Entry for Each Item:
   • In the Bitwarden app, click on Add Item.
   • Enter the information you want to store in the appropriate fields.
   • Click Save to store each credential securely.

4. Best Practices for Managing CPCC Passwords in Bitwarden

• Organize with Folders: Use folders to separate CPCC-related passwords from personal passwords for easy management.
• Protect particularly sensitive items with re-authentication
• Use the Password Generator to ensure your passwords are strong and unique. A passphrase can be used to create strong passwords that are easier to recall from memory. 
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication: For enhanced security, set up two-factor authentication on all of your accounts using an authenticator app (e.g., Microsoft Authenticator, Duo, or Google Authenticator).
• Review and Update Passwords: Regularly review and update your passwords, especially after any major account or system changes.
  • Run Vault Health Reports to ensure your passwords are secure and have not been exposed in a breach or reused for multiple accounts. 
• Backup Your Vault: Regularly back up your vault (export to an encrypted file) if you want to keep an offline copy of your CPCC-related credentials.

5. Security Tips and Reminders

• Keep Your Master Password Secure: If you lose your master password, you may lose access to your stored passwords, as Bitwarden does not store or reset it.
• Backup Your Vault: Regularly back up your vault (export to an encrypted file) if you want to keep an offline copy of your CPCC-related credentials.