Switzerland’s Most Trusted Media Voice Streamlines Password Management Using Securden

With Securden, Radio Fribourg SA has eliminated the complexity of fragmented password management. Teams collaborate more efficiently, access systems securely, and operate with improved productivity and peace of mind.

The Background

Founded in 1988 and headquartered in Villars-sur-Glâne, Radio Fribourg SA stands as one of Switzerland’s most respected and influential media organizations. Renowned for its unwavering commitment to credibility and independence, Radio Fribourg serves as a vital voice for the Fribourg region, offering high-quality radio and television broadcasting in both French and German. Its bilingual programming not only reflects the region’s unique cultural heritage but also fosters inclusivity and dialogue among diverse audiences.

The organization is also at the forefront of media innovation, actively collaborating with partners such as MediaParc SA and MediaPub SA to create a dynamic hub for creative exchange and technological advancement. With a daily reach of over 155,000 listeners, Radio Fribourg continues to set the standard for excellence, trust, and forward-thinking in Swiss media.

The Business Challenge

For a technology-driven media house like Radio Fribourg SA, every credential—whether for a playout server, CMS, signage controller, or podcast platform—is vital to seamless operations. The station’s intricate IT ecosystem underpins a diverse range of core systems, including audio playout automation, visual signage controls, and financial and content management platforms.

For operational efficiency, credentials for these systems were managed in local Excel spreadsheets and shared within departments. While this approach facilitated day-to-day workflows, it did not include access controls or audit trails, making it challenging to track who accessed which systems and when. Role-based access was handled informally, so team members with access to these spreadsheets could log into various systems, including those with administrator privileges.

This setup highlighted an opportunity to further enhance security and accountability as the organization continued to grow and modernize.

The IT team observed that identical passwords were often used across both internal and external user accounts, including service accounts for critical systems such as the CMS, FTP, and streaming servers. In addition, usernames and passwords were sometimes hard coded into display firmware and scheduling software, leading to password reuse across multiple platforms.

This approach to credential management introduced potential security risks, such as increased exposure to cyber threats and the possibility of internal misuse or credential leaks. As Laurent Meuwly explains, “Our approach to password management created challenges in maintaining security and oversight. When unauthorized access attempts occurred or unusual activity was detected, the absence of centralized control and comprehensive logging made it difficult to identify the source of the issue or to quickly revoke compromised credentials.”

In addition to internal teams, external vendors and freelancers needed access to different systems for tasks such as maintenance, content collaboration, or platform development. However, without an established approval workflow or controlled access privileges, this external access was primarily unmanaged and lacked oversight.

“Without access permissions or time-limited credentials, contractors retained access long after their contracts were up, creating a persistent security risk for us,” says Laurent Meuwly.

To fix above hiccups, the Swiss media entity sought a password management solution that would offer role-based access control, centralized credential management, secure storage, and time-limited access for external users. By deploying a password manager, the station aimed at bolstering IT security and gaining adherence to compliance standards.

Identifying The Right Solution

When Radio Fribourg began overhauling their password management methods, they evaluated multiple password manager offerings. Some of the prominent players they reviewed include Psono, 1Password, Dashlane, NordPass, and Pass Securium. Scalability, ease of use, and security were some cornerstone principles they were after.

Further, they were looking for an intuitive interface that would be deemed attractive to both their IT and non-IT users. Say for instance, Nordpass fell short when it came to group management functionality. And Psono had inadequate user experience, ultimately retarding its organization-wide adoption.

“The solutions we evaluated provided isolated solutions, missing the bigger picture. While they focused just on storing and sharing passwords, our IT team was looking for a comprehensive package that included robust group management features” says Laurent Meuwly.

Securden emerged as a strong contender for Radio Fribourg SA as it offered exceptional group management functionality. They were able to segment access rights based on roles and responsibilities. Sensitive credentials were being shared with other team members while simultaneously enforcing stricter control over who could access what.

Also, the user interface of Securden was simple and straightforward without infusing the need for extensive training. They easily scaled the solution to teams beyond IT.

Below is a set of targeted solutions Radio Fribourg SA was looking for within Securden:

• Centralized, Encrypted Vault: Secure and encrypted storage of all credentials to eliminate the risks of scattered and informal management.
• Granular Role-Based Access: Assign permissions precisely based on roles and responsibilities. Ensure users and external collaborators only access what they need, when they need it.
• Automated Password Generation and Rotation: Enforce strong and unique passwords and automated rotation to remove the dangers of weak or reused credentials.
• Comprehensive Audit Logging: Log every access event to gain full visibility and traceability for compliance.
• Time-Limited and Workflow-Based Access: Provide time-limited access to external vendors and freelancers. Ensure automated expiry and approval workflows to close the door on lingering risks.
• Secure Remote Access: Enable teams and remote contributors across multiple locations to safely connect to sensitive platforms and systems.

"Setting up Securden was a breeze, thanks to the thorough documentation and quick support we received. It has streamlined the entire password lifecycle—creation, rotation, and deletion—greatly reducing manual work and the chances of making mistakes. Users have adjusted their habits and now feel comfortable creating unique passwords for every platform. The quick and responsive support we received further ensured a smooth and hassle-free transition," says Laurent Meuwly.