World Password Day
In 2013, Intel created World Password Day, observed on the first Thursday of May, to raise awareness about the role of strong passwords in securing our digital lives. This year, it falls on May 1st. It’s a good time to remember that protecting personal data begins with setting a strong password.
To ensure your personal information is secure, you should check:
- the complexity of your password;
- the use of different passwords for different accounts;
- the use of two-factor authentication;
- regular updating of your passwords.
Recommendations for protecting personal data:
- use long and complex passwords, avoiding simple combinations;
- use unique passwords for each account;
- change your passwords regularly;
- use reliable password managers;
- avoid storing passwords in easily accessible places (in notes on your phone without protection, avoid sharing your password).
Despite these recommendations, the most popular password worldwide is still “123456”. Some even use only one character as a password. Research indicates a low level of digital security awareness among young people: a third of teenagers openly share their passwords with others, and about 40% of companies store access credentials in Word documents or Excel files. Most users apply the same password to all accounts, often choosing pet names as keys to their personal information.
World Password Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of strong passwords and safe online behavior.
Raising awareness about cybersecurity and the safe use of the internet is an important part of modern education (SDG 4: Quality Education).
Internet security is crucial for protecting businesses and ensuring a safe online environment for work and trade (SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth).
Combating cybercrime and protecting data contribute to creating a safer and more just society (SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published standards and related documents that contribute to sustainable development. Among them is the information security standard ISO/IEC 27001, designed to ensure the security of sensitive information.
