Cybersecurity leaders share insights on the importance of strong passwords, multi-factor authentication, and evolving technologies for a safer digital world.
World Password Day 2025: Strengthening the Digital Key to Secure Our Lives
As digital threats evolve in sophistication, so too must the way we secure our online presence. World Password Day, observed annually to raise awareness about the importance of good password hygiene, serves as a timely reminder to evaluate and enhance our security practices. In a world where our personal and professional lives are increasingly digitized, strong passwords are the first line of defense in protecting sensitive information. This year’s World Password Day calls attention to the urgent need for adopting robust, unique, and complex passwords across all digital touchpoints.
With cybersecurity becoming a business imperative, experts across industries are emphasizing the need for vigilant password management and the integration of advanced security measures such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) and decentralized identity systems. Below, we explore how key cybersecurity leaders are advocating for better digital practices and offering actionable insights to safeguard our connected lives.
“Strong passwords are more than just a best practice, they are critical to safeguarding our personal and professional digital lives.”
— Bernard Montel, Technical Director, Tenable
The Fundamentals of Password Security: Protecting the Digital Entry Points
Bernard Montel, Technical Director and Security Strategist at Tenable, emphasized the critical role of strong passwords in protecting both personal and professional data.
“Strong passwords are more than just a best practice, they are critical to safeguarding our personal and professional digital lives.” Montel noted that passwords are not just the access keys to email or social media accounts; they guard our critical infrastructure, cloud platforms, and even autonomous systems that operate behind the scenes.
In his view, weak password practices have devastating consequences—from identity theft to widespread service disruptions. In light of the increasing threat landscape, Montel stressed that passwords must be dynamic and unique, especially for sensitive systems such as APIs and service accounts.
“Digital security starts with individual responsibility.”
— Dr. Lopa Mudra Basu, Global Advisor – CISO & DPO Advisory Services, Nexusnow.ai
The basic formula for password creation, according to Montel, involves using uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols to make them harder to guess or crack. However, he underscored that password strength alone is not enough. Proper credential management—especially for elevated access accounts—becomes paramount in ensuring long-term security.
Adopting Multi-Factor Authentication: A Simple Yet Powerful Tool
The importance of adding another layer of security—through Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)—cannot be overstated. Dr. Lopa Mudra Basu, Global Advisor – CISO & DPO Advisory Services, Nexusnow.ai, also echoed this point:
“Digital security starts with individual responsibility.” Dr. Basu believes that World Password Day is a timely opportunity to remind everyone that strong password practices are not optional—they are essential for safeguarding one’s digital identity. Enabling MFA can greatly reduce the chances of unauthorized access, even if a password is compromised.
“Passwords are your first line of defense for securing accounts and applications.”
— Hetal Presswala, CISO, Kalpataru Projects International Ltd.
In a world where data breaches are becoming more frequent, Hetal Presswala, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at Kalpataru Projects International Ltd., offered a practical reminder:
“Passwords are your first line of defense for securing accounts and applications.” Presswala also advocated for the use of complex passwords that combine various character types, which make it exponentially harder for attackers to breach an account. She further reinforced the need for continuous vigilance, urging organizations to mandate MFA and educate employees on the importance of strong passwords.
Smart Approaches to Password Management: Beyond the Basics
Password reuse—using the same password across multiple accounts—continues to be one of the biggest vulnerabilities, even though it seems like a simple way to remember passwords. According to Amey Subhash Lakeshri, Director of Cyber, Forensics, Incident Response and Privacy at EY, this practice must end.
“Each system deserves its own strong, unique password.” Lakeshri pointed out that password reuse is akin to providing one key for all doors in a house, increasing the likelihood of a total security breach.
Lakeshri also encouraged businesses to view password resets not as an inconvenience but as proactive measures that mitigate potential risks. By adopting such disciplined practices, both individuals and organizations can build stronger defenses against evolving cyber threats.
“Each system deserves its own strong, unique password.”
— Amey Subhash Lakeshri, Director Cyber, Forensics, Incident Response and Privacy, EY
The Next Frontier in Password Security: Innovation Meets Accessibility
Tejas Shah, Head of IT Infrastructure/Info Security at Prince Pipes and Fittings Ltd., offered an analogy that resonates with many:
“Passwords are like toothbrushes: choose a good one, change it regularly, and don’t share it.” Shah’s comparison highlights the importance of maintaining fresh and private credentials, ensuring that users are mindful of their digital hygiene.
He also encouraged the use of password managers, which help individuals and organizations generate, store, and retrieve complex passwords for different accounts securely. These tools are indispensable in an era where remembering countless unique passwords can feel overwhelming. Furthermore, Shah advocates for the use of two-factor authentication (2FA), which adds another layer of protection, ensuring that even if a password is compromised, unauthorized access remains impossible without the second verification.
Combining Security and Convenience: Empowering a Digital-First Workforce
Rasvinder Singh Nagpal, Lead – IT Infrastructure & Networks at Sumitomo Chemical India Ltd., focused on the significance of password diversity.
“World Password Day reminds us that strong passwords are the cornerstone of digital security.” Nagpal explained that different passwords should be used for different platforms to ensure that a breach in one account does not lead to a cascade of attacks on others. He also highlighted the growing concern of phishing attacks that often trick individuals into revealing their passwords.
Password management, therefore, requires not only technical measures but also awareness and education to ensure that individuals can protect themselves against such threats.
“Passwords are like toothbrushes: choose a good one, change it regularly, and don’t share it.”
— Tejas Shah, Head – IT Infrastructure / Info Security, Applications, Prince Pipes and Fittings Ltd.
Securing the Digital Future: Biometrics, Decentralized Identity, and Beyond
As the digital landscape rapidly evolves, Sandeep Karan, Head of Cybersecurity at L&T Technology Services Ltd., is already looking beyond traditional passwords.
“We must architect a future where accessing our digital world is seamless and rock-solid.” Karan called for innovative security strategies, including the incorporation of advanced authentication methods such as biometrics and decentralized identity solutions. He believes that relying solely on passwords, while still necessary, will soon become outdated as more intelligent and personalized ways to authenticate users emerge.
Karan also touched upon the potential impact of quantum computing on encryption standards, which could pose significant challenges for current password security models. Thus, it is crucial to begin preparing for quantum-resistant technologies that can safeguard digital identities in the future.
“Strong credentials lower the chances of breaches and help protect individual and organizational data.”
Bipin Lokegaonkar’s Call to Action: Securing Credentials at Every Touchpoint
As Bipin Lokegaonkar, Cybersecurity Product Management Head at Tata Communications, succinctly put it: “Strong credentials lower the chances of breaches and help protect individual and organizational data.” Lokegaonkar emphasized the importance of using complex, unique passwords for each account and adopting MFA to enhance protection. His advice resonates deeply in an era where cyberattacks are becoming more sophisticated, making it essential for every digital touchpoint to be secured with strong and carefully managed credentials.
Debojit Maitra’s Revolutionary Insights on Equation-Based Passwords
Debojit Maitra introduced an innovative approach to password security with his equation-based password system.
“This system combines mathematical uniqueness, mental memorability, and near-impossible crackability, making it a next-gen security concept.” Maitra’s model focuses on dynamic, algorithmic passwords that are not only hard to guess but can change daily or with each session, incorporating personal logic and encoded results. He suggested using complex formulas, like Fibonacci sequences or prime numbers, combined with personalized elements, such as birthdates or favorite numbers, to create virtually unbreakable passwords.
“World Password Day reminds us that strong passwords are the cornerstone of digital security.”
— Rasvinder Singh Nagpal, Lead – IT Infrastructure & Networks, Sumitomo Chemical India Ltd.
The unique aspect of this system, Maitra explains, is its flexibility and adaptability to personal preferences. This makes it much harder for attackers to crack, while still being easy for the user to remember. By combining mental calculations with encrypted results, Maitra’s concept offers a sophisticated and secure alternative to traditional passwords.
“We must architect a future where accessing our digital world is seamless and rock-solid.”
— Sandeep Karan, Head Cybersecurity, L&T Technology Services Ltd.
Maitra takes this a step further by introducing the Equation-Based Password System—a dynamic, user-generated model where no password is ever stored, just the logic behind it.
“It’s like building your own cipher,” Maitra says. “Even if someone sees your password once, they can’t predict the next one.”
With credential theft behind a majority of breaches, this World Password Day reminds us that the first step to digital resilience starts with smarter passwords and a security-first mindset.
Conclusion: Building Resilience for the Digital Age
World Password Day serves as a critical reminder that password security is not just an IT responsibility but a collective effort to safeguard our digital lives. With experts from diverse sectors stressing the need for complex passwords, MFA, and continuous vigilance, organizations and individuals alike are encouraged to
“This system combines mathematical uniqueness, mental memorability, and near-impossible crackability, making it a next-gen security concept.” — Debojit Maitra
