Insights from Enzoic’s AD Lite Data: A Rising Threat of Compromised Credentials
The latest data from Enzoic’s Active Directory Lite (AD Lite) indicates an alarming increase in the threat posed by compromised user credentials. According to the 2025 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR), credential abuse has been identified as the primary initial access vector for data breaches. A closer examination of AD Lite scan results reveals that while users are not necessarily adopting weaker passwords year over year, the sheer volume of exposed credentials is dramatically increasing due to the rising frequency of data breaches. Consequently, even if users maintain the same passwords, their likelihood of being compromised grows as breach datasets expand.
The report highlights several key vulnerabilities among users, including the widespread use of weak passwords, password reuse, and the presence of inactive accounts. These shortcomings contribute to an environment where more users are at significant risk of account compromise. In 2025, AD Lite domain scans included an average of 1,014 users, revealing that about 19% of these accounts had compromised passwords—indicating a persistent risk across organizations of various sizes.
Data trends illustrate a pronounced increase in compromised credential rates. From 2024 to 2025, the rate of user accounts flagged with compromised passwords surged from approximately 14% to nearly 19%. Additionally, the proportion of accounts with unsafe passwords—either compromised or weak—exceeded 22% in 2025, showcasing a troubling trend in password hygiene within organizations.
Weak passwords are a component of the broader issue surrounding compromised credentials. Many users continue to select easily guessable passwords, which are highly susceptible to dictionary-based attacks. The AD Lite data indicates that the percentage of users employing weak passwords has risen, jumping from about 1.6% in 2024 to approximately 2.7% in 2025. Even passwords that have yet to be leaked pose substantial risk, as attackers can guess or crack them with relative ease.
Critically, the increase in unsafe passwords underscores an urgent need for organizations to address these vulnerabilities. Data from the 2025 Verizon DBIR further corroborates that attackers predominantly rely on stolen or compromised credentials as their top method for gaining initial access. This trend reinforces the need for strategies to combat credential abuse, highlighting the importance of reducing the use of insecure passwords.
To mitigate these risks, organizations must take proactive steps. Using tools like Enzoic’s AD Lite to benchmark risks and identify exposed passwords is a valuable starting point. However, comprehensive solutions require ongoing monitoring rather than periodic assessments. Continuous assessments—such as those offered by Enzoic for Active Directory—can provide organizations with a robust defense against evolving threats. This solution delivers automated remediation workflows and maintains a vigilant watch over high-risk account conditions, which can prevent small issues from evolving into serious security breaches.
As cyber threats continue to evolve, organizations face an ever-increasing risk of compromised credentials. The evidence underscores that a one-time effort to strengthen password policies is insufficient. Instead, sustained vigilance through regular monitoring, remediation, and education is essential. By addressing password vulnerabilities and remaining aware of emerging threats, organizations can fortify their defenses against credential abuse, thereby enhancing overall cybersecurity resilience.
In conclusion, the data from Enzoic’s AD Lite tool highlights an urgent call to action for IT security teams to refine their approaches. The trend toward more compromised credentials presents a complex challenge, but by leveraging the right tools and best practices, organizations can significantly decrease their risk of falling victim to credential abuse.