Don’t Let Your Credential Manager Become Shelfware: 5 Ways to Increase Adoption

Breaches usually have one thing in common: They begin with a stolen credential.

You’ve likely seen recent reports exposing billions of stolen credentials harvested from infostealer malware and recycled data breaches. At the same time, AI is fueling a surge in phishing attacks.

To address this, many IT teams have deployed credential managers to help employees securely manage strong passwords across tools and systems and be warned before they enter their credentials on a suspicious site.

But the investment alone isn’t enough. Without widespread adoption, your organization isn’t getting the full value out of its credential manager and you risk it becoming shelfware: Software you pay for but largely don’t use, letting it gather dust on a metaphorical shelf.

Fortunately, there are five proven strategies IT admins can use to increase credential manager adoption, strengthening their organization’s security while also lightening IT’s load in the long run.

Successful adoption requires an easy-to-use tool. Before choosing a credential manager, conduct a thorough trial involving employees with different levels of technological abilities. This will help you identify a credential manager that’s intuitive and fits seamlessly into your employees’ daily routines. 

In addition, onboard new hires automatically from day one. This turns usage from an option into an expected part of their workflow. And as participation grows, the tool will naturally become part of your organization’s security culture.

Enable single sign-on (SSO) in your credential manager so employees can log in using credentials they already know. This cuts down on password fatigue and reduces access issues.

Lastly, boost adoption by storing and securely sharing frequently used information in the credential manager, such as WiFi passwords, building codes, and more. When they see how the tool makes their life easier, they’re more likely to keep using it.

People adopt tools when they understand how it helps them personally, beyond company policy or compliance. Start by explaining how a credential manager protects their sensitive data from theft and misuse.

Consider sharing real examples to help make the risk tangible, like this story about a high-profile breach involving a Disney employee who downloaded an AI-powered photo program or this one of a security expert who fell for a phishing attack. Highlight how credential misuse affects individuals, not just companies. 

Also, emphasize how the tool simplifies daily work. With a credential manager, people can:

When users see these personal benefits clearly, adoption naturally improves.

People follow what they see. When executives and managers actively embrace a security-first culture and consistently use the credential manager, it sends a powerful message that security is a shared responsibility, not just a checkbox.

To secure leadership buy-in, start by understanding their core priorities, whether it’s reducing business risk, avoiding costly breaches, or ensuring operational continuity.

Speak their language by framing security as a business enabler, not just an IT obligation. Present clear data on the financial and reputational impact of compromised credentials. Then demonstrate the ROI of proactive credential management, such as lower incident response costs and stronger regulatory compliance.

Keep leaders engaged by providing regular updates and involving them in adoption milestones. Have them publicly recognize early adopters and high-performing teams. Celebrations in town halls, newsletters, or internal communication platforms do more than reward; they create social proof that shifts security from policy to culture.

Small frustrations can kill momentum. Even the best tools become shelfware if help isn’t easy to get. That’s why accessible, well-defined support is critical.

Remember, prompt and friendly support isn’t just about fixing problems. It builds trust, lowers resistance, and keeps momentum going.

Adoption is a journey, not a one-time event. Repeated, gentle reminders help form lasting security habits without triggering fatigue or resistance. Here’s how to keep momentum while respecting employees’ time and attention:

Send activity-based prompts, like reminders after login failures or tips tailored to user activity, to the employees who need them the most based on the credential manager’s activity logs. Targeted prompts keep security top of mind without overwhelming users.

Celebrate adoption milestones. Public shoutouts, like ”95% adoption this month” or small interdepartmental competitions, boost motivation and engagement. Pair the shoutouts with meaningful prizes for the teams with the highest adoption, like a catered lunch or extra day off—whatever you can get higher-ups to approve.

Keep communication consistent and varied. Ongoing updates help users stay confident and informed. Use newsletters, Slack alerts, and short videos to share new features and tips. Always highlight the “why” behind the information you’re sharing and how it makes life easier for employees.

Sustained reminders and recognition turn credential manager use from a task into a habit. Over time, this shifts security from a policy to a culture everyone owns.

A high adoption rate unlocks the full value of a credential manager by strengthening your organization’s security posture and streamlining access.

By focusing on ease of use, clear benefits to the employee, visible leadership support, accessible help, and thoughtful reminders, IT teams can turn credential manager adoption into a lasting habit and powerful defense against evolving security threats.