Experts Urge Stronger Cybersecurity Habits as Data Breaches Rise
As cyber threats continue to evolve, World Password Day 2025 serves as a crucial reminder to strengthen digital security practices. Observed on the first Thursday of May each year, this global initiative encourages individuals and organizations to bolster their online defenses by adopting strong, unique passwords and enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Recent studies indicate a significant rise in cyberattacks, with weak or reused passwords being a major vulnerability. Cybersecurity firms report that over 80% of data breaches stem from compromised credentials, underscoring the need for better password hygiene.
“World Backup Day is an annual reminder of the importance of backing up and protecting data from loss and theft.” – Parag Khurana, Barracuda Networks
In addition to strong passwords, experts emphasize the importance of regular data backups. According to Kaspersky, only 33% of users back up their data regularly, while over 77% have experienced data loss. To mitigate risks, Kaspersky recommends following the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep at least three copies of important data, store it on two different storage types, and ensure one copy is off-site.
“In today’s digital-first world, data is the backbone of our lives and businesses. Its loss—whether from cyberattacks, system failures, or human error—can be catastrophic,” said Vishal Salvi, CEO of Quick Heal Technologies Limited. “Modern ransomware isn’t just about locking systems—it’s increasingly designed to steal sensitive data, amplifying the risks of financial losses, operational paralysis, and irreversible damage to customer trust.”
“In today’s digital-first world, data is the backbone of our lives and businesses.” – Vishal Salvi, Quick Heal Technologies Limited
Parag Khurana, Country Manager, India at Barracuda Networks, emphasized, “World Backup Day is an annual reminder of the importance of backing up and protecting data from loss and theft. This includes backing up identity and access management systems like Microsoft Entra ID. Without proper Entra ID backup, employees may lose access to essential applications, severely compromising operational efficiency.”
Companies and governments worldwide are amplifying awareness through campaigns, urging users to create passwords that are at least 12 characters long and include a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Tech firms are also exploring passwordless authentication solutions, such as biometrics and passkeys, to enhance security and convenience.
With cybercrime on the rise, experts emphasize that vigilance and proactive measures can make a significant difference. This World Password Day, take a moment to update your credentials, back up your data, and reinforce your digital safety.