This Week 1 is focused on “Use Strong Passwords and a Password Manager.” Strong passwords should be long, random, unique to each application/service, and incorporate all four character types: uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Password managers are an essential tool to help you generate and securely store strong passwords for each of your accounts.
Passwords Resources:
- You can find more information on Use strong passwords and a password manager on the National Cybersecurity Awareness Alliance site
- Secure Our World: Passwords Tip Sheet (CISA)
- Tips for Stronger Passwords (Consumer Reports)
Helpful Password Tips:
- Make passwords long: At least 13 characters (the longer, the better!)
- Use random strings or passphrases: Mix letters, numbers, and symbols or use unrelated words
- Create unique passwords for each account: Never reuse passwords across different accounts
- Use complex combinations: Upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and special characters
- Use a password manager: Simplifies password management, storing unique, complex passwords securely
Password Facts and Figures:
The National Cybersecurity Alliance 2023 Oh, Behave! report lists the following cybersecurity survey responses:
- Only 38% of people use unique passwords for all their accounts
- 60% of people use strong passwords, indicating a gap in password security practices
- 46% of people create passwords that are 9 to 11 characters long, shorter than the recommended 13 characters
We are providing a growing security resources list on the Chapin Tech Desk knowledge base. You may also want to visit the KnowBe4 dashboard which will show your available Cybersecurity trainings provided by The Chapin School Technology Department.
If you have any questions about any of this information, please get in touch with the Chapin Technology Department at help@chapin.edu.