By Jeannette Jarvis, CTA Chief Membership and Communications Officer
Passwords have always been a major source of frustration. The sheer number we must manage is overwhelming, with a recent study indicating that each of us juggles at least 100 passwords. This volume is simply unmanageable. With so many accounts requiring passwords, it’s challenging to create ones that are strong, unique, and meet each application’s requirements. As a result, many people resort to reusing the same (or just a minor variation) password or creating easy-to-guess passwords that are simple to remember. Unfortunately, this practice makes your accounts and credentials prime targets for cybercriminals.
The Wireless 2024 Data Breach Investigation Report reveals that there have been 10,626 confirmed data breaches this year. It’s likely that you’ve received breach notifications from several companies. Now, more than ever, it is crucial to follow best practices for protecting your credentials. This means we need to go beyond the password. By themselves, passwords are just too vulnerable.
This is where “More Than a Password Day” comes in. This is a global movement that emphasizes the importance of using stronger online authentication that was launched in 2023 by Nonprofit Cyber, and is celebrated today, November 12th. Stronger authentication is one of the most effective ways to secure your account credentials.
Protecting your Accounts and Devices, Common Guidance on Passwords provides common guidance on passwords and steps you can take today to help you reduce the risk that a bad actor will compromise your account. The guidance offers further recommendations to enhance the security of your credentials. One such way is to use Multifactor Authentication (MFA). MFA offers a layered security approach for your data and applications. It requires using two or more credentials to verify your identity during login. Even if one credential is compromised, unauthorized users won’t be able to access your account without the second authentication method. MFA alone has proven to make your accounts 99% less likely to be hacked.
The Cyber Threat Alliance strongly recommends using these additional security measures beyond just a username and password to protect your accounts. Review and follow these guidelines to enhance your security. These simple measures can greatly improve your protection.