Each year on the first Thursday of May, World Password Day reminds us of a simple truth: strong passwords are a critical building block of cybersecurity. From your email to your bank account, passwords are the first line of defense for your personal and professional information. However, while strong passwords are essential, they are only one part of a complete security strategy. Passwords are most effective when combined with other protections to form multi-factor authentication (MFA).

To help you get started, we’re highlighting key password best practices based on guidance from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

Here’s how you can take action today to lock down your digital world with smarter password habits and layered defenses.

1. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Example:

uZW$3UI&^C6vy9AA

If you need to remember a password, use a passphrase instead. A passphrase is a combination of unrelated words or a sentence that’s easy to recall but hard to crack.

Example:

Instead of Summer2024!, try Sunlight-Bicycle-Muffin-Planet.

Let’s face it: if your password is “123456” or “password,” it’s time for an upgrade. Strong passwords are long (at least 16 characters), unpredictable, and unique to each account. It's recommended that your password be either completely random—using letters, numbers, and symbols—or a 4- to 7-word passphrase that’s difficult to guess but easy for you to remember.

If you use a password manager (see point 2), completely random passwords are your best option. They’re extremely difficult to crack, and you won’t need to remember them because they’re securely stored.

2. Use a Password Manager

Remembering dozens of complex passwords is a lot to ask of your brain—and that’s where password managers come in. These tools generate, store, and autofill strong passwords for all your accounts, so you only need to remember one master password.

Look for reputable password managers that offer end-to-end encryption, multi-device syncing, and secure password sharing for families or teams.

Note: The security of your password manager is paramount. Make sure your master password is strong, and enable MFA to protect access to all your other passwords.

3. Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

Even a strong password can be cracked or leaked—but pairing it with multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds a powerful second layer of defense. MFA requires an additional verification method, like a text message code, a mobile app prompt, or a physical security key.

While your password is your first line of defense, MFA is your safety net. If a password falls into the wrong hands, MFA can prevent unauthorized access. Accounts with MFA enabled are significantly less likely to be compromised.

Enable MFA wherever possible—especially on email, banking, healthcare, cloud storage, and social media accounts.

4. Update Passwords That Are Old or Reused

Take time this World Password Day to:

• Identify old or reused passwords

• Update them with unique, complex alternatives

• Store the new ones in your password manager

Reusing the same password across multiple accounts is risky. If one account is breached, attackers can use those credentials to access others—a tactic known as credential stuffing. Credential stuffing is a cyberattack in which hackers take a known username and password and use automated tools to try those credentials on thousands of popular websites. That’s why, if a password is ever compromised, you should change it anywhere else it was used.

Old passwords can also pose a threat. The longer you use a password, the greater the chance it’s been exposed in a data breach. If your password is particularly old, it’s wise to update it—even if there’s no obvious sign of compromise.

Final Thoughts: Small Habits, Big Protection

Cybersecurity isn’t just a concern for large organizations or tech-savvy professionals. It’s something everyone can practice—starting with how we manage our passwords and access controls.

Strong passwords are essential—but they are only truly effective when paired with multi-factor authentication. Together, they provide a far stronger defense against today’s cyber threats.

This World Password Day, commit to improving your password and authentication practices—and help spread the word.

Need help getting started with password managers or enabling MFA across your tools? We’re here to help. Reach out to our team for a quick consultation.

For more information and detailed guidance, visit CISA’s Secure Our World page on requiring strong passwords.