Cybersecurity Awareness
Using Strong Passwords and a Password Manager
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.
Password Resources
- You can find more information on passwords and password managers 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
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
Our emails and supporting information are available from the National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) page on the CUNY web site. We also provide a growing security resources list on the OUCH! website to read recent security articles or subscribe to the world’s leading, free security awareness newsletter designed for technology users.
If you have any questions about any of this information, please contact your college's Information Security Manager.