What Makes a Password Strong?
A strong password is long, unique, and difficult to guess. Cybersecurity experts recommend using passwords that are at least 12–16 characters long, avoiding password reuse, and storing credentials in a password manager. Pairing strong passwords with multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides an additional layer of protection against cyber threats.
Why Strong Passwords matter.
There are many ways to protect yourself & your organization against cybersecurity threats in today’s online world – and many solutions are simpler than you might imagine. The first line of defense is having a strong password. Having this not only secures your electronic accounts and devices from unauthorized access, but also keeps your sensitive personal information protected.
What makes a strong password?
A strong password is one that is long, unique, and difficult to guess. Cybersecurity experts generally recommend passwords that:
- Are at least 12–16 characters long
- Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols
- Avoid common words, names, and predictable patterns
- Are not reused across multiple accounts
- Are stored securely in a password manager
Longer passwords are generally more resistant to brute-force attacks than shorter passwords. Organizations should also pair strong passwords with multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible.
NIST Password Guidance
According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), password length is one of the most important factors in password strength. NIST also emphasizes reducing password reuse and screening passwords against known compromised credential lists.
Why Should Passwords Be Unique?
Using the same password across multiple systems creates a significant cybersecurity risk. If one account is compromised during a data breach, attackers may attempt to use the same credentials on other websites and business systems. This attack method is known as credential stuffing.
Unique passwords help contain damage and reduce the likelihood of unauthorized access spreading across multiple accounts.
What does a password manager do?
A password manager is a secure tool that stores, encrypts, and generates passwords. It helps users:
- Create unique passwords for every account
- Avoid password reuse
- Store credentials securely
- Auto-fill login information
- Receive alerts when passwords may be compromised
Password managers reduce human error and support stronger cybersecurity hygiene across organizations.
Benefits of Using a Password Manager.
It can be difficult to remember a strong password, given the complexity of the requirements, so a password manager tool can help. This software securely stores and encrypts your usernames and passwords, and can generate passwords that meet NIST guidelines or your own criteria.
Typically available as an app or browser plugin (like Okta), it auto-fills login information and can alert you if a password is compromised or reused. Providing employees with a password manager and offering appropriate training encourages them to create a new and unique password for each system, which significantly reduces the risk of security breaches by making it more challenging for threat actors to get in.
When should you change a password?
Current password guidance increasingly focuses on changing passwords when there is evidence of compromise rather than forcing frequent password resets. Security experts recommend:
- Immediate password changes after a known breach
- Monitoring accounts for compromised credentials
- Using MFA and password managers to strengthen security
Organizations should follow their own security policies and applicable compliance requirements.
M3 Cyber Expertise
Strong password practices are only one component of a comprehensive cyber risk management strategy that also includes incident response planning, employee training, cyber insurance, and cybersecurity monitoring. M3’s cyber liability advisors help organizations evaluate these broader exposures.
Key Takeaways
Strong passwords remain one of the simplest and most effective cybersecurity controls available. Organizations should encourage employees to use long, unique passwords, store them in a password manager, and enable multi-factor authentication to reduce the risk of unauthorized access and credential-stuffing attacks.
Reach out to your M3 Client Executive to discuss your current protection for your organization and to learn more about cybersecurity risk management.
1 NIST Digital Identity Guidelines
