Cyber 4.0, with 90 signatories worldwide, launches the Strong Authentication Awareness Campaign and calls to action with a Common Guide on the Use of Passwords.

Rome, Nov. 10, 2023: Protecting your identity and data online has never been more important. “More Than A Password World Day” is a global movement to highlight the importance of stronger online authentication and provide essential password guidance for businesses and individuals.

The urgent need for stronger authentication

“More than a Password World Day” is not intended simply to raise awareness, but to serve as a call to action. Since up to 80 percent of data breaches are attributed to stolen or weak passwords, it is time to raise our defenses by adopting more effective authentication methods that go beyond simple passwords.

In a world facing a complex landscape of cyber threats, relying on static and easily compromised passwords is no longer protecting our digital lives. Nearly 43 percent of companies globally are still not using multi-factor authentication (MFA), and individuals are even further behind, with only 2.6 percent of active Twitter accounts using MFA methods. According to the results of a survey conducted by the Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) in October 2023 in the United States, while 53 percent of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) report being aware of the security benefits of multi-factor authentication, only 32 percent of SMEs require its use, showing a significant gap between awareness and implementation. And in Italy, the situation is even more unbalanced, according to Cyber 4.0’s findings through nationwide sample surveys.

With so many elements of our lives online, this status quo is alarming.

“More than a Password World Day is an opportunity to raise awareness about this issue and encourage people to adopt more effective authentication methods.”

Presentation of the common guide on passwords

In conjunction with the first edition of “World More Than A Password Day,” Account and Device Protection: common password guidelines has been published. This recommendations document is designed to provide individuals and small businesses with comprehensive, affordable and actionable measures to improve their online security.

“The purpose of issuing common guidelines from so many organizations is to increase their weight and dissemination and to highlight that, in essence, almost every organization in the industry recommends the same steps. There is clarity on what actions to take, but we need action,” said Philip Reitinger, president of the Global Cyber Alliance, of which Cyber 4.0 is a member, and co-chair of Nonprofit Cyber.

The Common Password Guide has already been endorsed by 90 organizations worldwide. Signatories include nonprofit cybersecurity and privacy organizations, corporations, intergovernmental organizations, and government organizations themselves.

Cyber 4.0 is the only Italian organization to be part of the campaign promoters and has therefore published the materials in Italian.

Highlights of the Common Guide

  • Use passwordless authentication: choose passwordless authentication (passwordless), such as passkeys. Passkeys are not only easier to use but also more secure than traditional passwords.
  • Protect your e-mail account: if you use password authentication for e-mail accounts, use a very complex password and multi-factor authentication.
  • Add an extra layer of security: use a hardware security key, authentication app or SMS PIN as a “second factor” in addition to the password.
  • Use a password manager: a password manager can help you create and store complex passwords for all your online accounts.
  • Use recommended techniques for choosing passwords: select passwords that are complex and easy to remember through techniques such as passphrases or the “three random words” method.
  • If you are hacked: promptly change your passwords if any of your devices are compromised or if an online service you use is hacked. Avoid reusing passwords and consider signing up for services such as https://haveibeenpwned.com/.

Join the Global Movement

“More Than A Password World Day is a global movement.

Individuals, organizations and communities around the world are encouraged to participate by taking actions that make it safer to protect online accounts and devices.

This global effort aims to enable all individuals and small businesses to strengthen their online security, contributing to a safer digital ecosystem for all.

Join #MoreThanAPasswordDay and, together, let’s redefine online security for a safer digital world.

Learn more

To access the “Common Guide on Passwords” in Italian, Click here

For detailed information on “More Than A Password World Day” visit https://nonprofitcyber.org/common-guidance-on-passwords/.