Skip to main content

Cybersecurity Month Episode 1:
Password Habits

October 6, 2020



Laura is a new hire at her company, stuck between an oblivious boss who sees security as an annoyance, and an overprotective IT guy. Like Laura, you probably want to protect Biola and yourself, and you want others to do the same, but you don’t want security to be a burden.


What We Learned

  • Use a password manager. There are many to choose from and some are free. We recommend LastPass for university-use, and you can purchase a Biola license through IT. Using a password manager will help you follow most of the tips below.
  • Don’t write or print passwords on paper or in unsecured digital files. An Excel spreadsheet shared with your team is not a password manager. If anyone on your team is phished, all of your department passwords could be compromised. And of course — no passwords on sticky notes!
  • Use long, random, but memorable passphrases. For example, “IsengardBocceBall!”
  • Don’t use the same password everywhere. Try to use unique passwords everywhere you login. If one website or company gets hacked, and the passwords are leaked, then all accounts using that same password are at risk.
  • Where possible, use multi-factor authentication (MFA). If your account is Phished, MFA can keep an attacker from logging in. We recommend that you turn on 2-Step Verification for your Biola email right away.


This year, for National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, we’ll be posting a funny weekly video reviewing core cybersecurity principles. If you’re a new employee at Biola, this is one way to get caught up, and if you’ve been around for a few years, it’s a helpful refresher. See you next week!