Published on Monday, 13 October 2025 at 5:26:39 PM
As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025, Integrated ICT is dedicated to supporting businesses across Western Australia in strengthening their online security. This week, we are highlighting one of the most effective, and often overlooked, tools in your cyber defence strategy: the passphrase.
Why Passphrases Matter
A passphrase is a longer, more secure version of a password. Unlike short, predictable passwords, passphrases are:
- Harder for cyber criminals to crack
- Easier for you to remember
- Stronger when paired with multi-factor authentication (MFA)
Weak passwords remain one of the most common causes of compromised systems and costly breaches. Adopting strong, unique passphrases across all accounts is a simple yet powerful step towards better security.
How to Create a Strong Passphrase
Follow this proven formula for maximum protection:
- Length: Aim for 15+ characters
- Unpredictability: Use four or more random words (e.g., sunflower-vanilla-walter-cactus)
- Uniqueness: Never reuse a passphrase across accounts
Avoid personal details such as names, birthdays, or addresses. Instead, think creatively, your passphrase should be memorable to you but meaningless to others.
Let Technology Help You
Managing multiple secure passphrases can feel overwhelming. That is where password managers come in. These tools:
- Generate strong, random passphrases
- Store them securely
- Autofill them when needed
Choose a reputable password manager that suits your business needs. If you are unsure where to start, Integrated ICT can provide guidance tailored to your organisation.
Layer Up with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Passphrases are powerful, but pairing them with MFA adds an extra layer of protection. MFA requires a second form of verification, such as:
- A code sent to your phone
- A biometric scan (fingerprint or facial recognition)
This makes it significantly harder for attackers to gain access, even if they somehow discover your passphrase.
Integrated ICT: Your Cybersecurity Partner
As an ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certified provider, Integrated ICT delivers robust Security as a Service (SecaaS) solutions to help businesses combat cyber threats. Our team specialise security across our services including:
Take Action Today
Cyber criminals look for gaps in your network where they can hide. With strong event logging in place, suspicious activity can be quickly spotted, and proactive steps can be taken to safeguard your systems.
Don’t allow malicious actors to operate undetected, empower your organisation with enhanced visibility as your greatest asset.
- Review ASD’s best practices at https://www.cyber.gov.au/CAM2025.
- Contact Integrated ICT to learn how our SecaaS solutions can strengthen your security posture.
Cyber Security Awareness Month 2025 - Building our cyber safe culture
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