This week’s October Cybersecurity Awareness Month topic is Passwords and Passphrases. Passwords and passphrases are the first layer of defense against cyber criminals accessing your digital identity. Creating strong and robust passwords is critical in protecting your accounts and personal data.
Cybersecurity experts recommend the use of Passphrases. A passphrase is a long password using a string of words making them easier to remember and more difficult to crack.
Quick Guide: Creating a Strong Password/Passphrase
- Length Matters: At least 12 - 16 characters in length. The longer the password/passphrase the stronger it is.
- Stay Unique: Make it personal and memorable to you.
- Use a Mix: Combine upper- and lower-case letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid Personal Info: Do not use easily searchable details like your name, birthdate, or anniversaries.
- Change Regularly: Even with a strong password/passphrase, it is good practice to change it periodically.
- Use Different Passwords/Passphrases: Create a unique password or passphrase for each online account.
- Enable Multi-factor Authentication (MFA): A strong password or passphrase is further enhanced with MFA. Recommended to enable whenever possible.
- Never Share: Never share your password with anyone in person or online.
- Use a Password Manager: Use a trusted password manager to safely store and retrieve them.
- Stay Updated: As cyber threats evolve, so should our defenses. Stay informed about the latest trends and threats in password security.
Reminder: You can update your Central Piedmont password at any time by visiting https://amp.cpcc.edu or contacting the Service Desk. If you suspect your account has been compromised, please report the incident to the Service Desk and change your password immediately.
We value your input. If you have suggestions or questions, please contact us by submitting a ticket to the Service Desk.