Passphrases

Passphrases are basically longer passwords – passphrases are therefore a form of password. Used correctly, a passphrase can be more secure and easier to remember than a conventional password. Passphrases are used to encrypt data and secure access to your accounts.

A passphrase consists of several words, often in the form of a short, freely chosen sentence. Unlike traditional passwords, which usually consist of a combination of numbers, special characters and letters, the passphrase focuses on length and comprehensibility.

Examples of passphrases:

• 1BlueDogRunningThroughCassel
• Sun!Coffee+Breakfast=Happiness
• MyColleagueDrinksHisTea=At8

These word combinations are individual, creative and therefore particularly difficult to guess - even for programs that automatically try out passwords.

Please do not use the examples for your own accounts.

Passphrases offer a simple yet very effective solution. They combine high security with good memorization and are therefore particularly recommended for everyday professional use.

More security through length and complexity
Passphrases consist of several words and are therefore significantly longer than typical passwords - this increases the so-called entropy and makes attacks such as brute force or dictionary attacks considerably more difficult.

Better memorization
A well-chosen passphrase is like a small sentence or a personal mnemonic - it is easier to remember than cryptic character strings and reduces the temptation to write down or reuse access data.

Simple implementation without technical barriers
You don't need any special software to use passphrases - they can be used directly in everyday life, whether for your UK account or for encrypting files.

Switching to passphrases does not require a great deal of effort, but it does bring tangible benefits. With a well-chosen passphrase, all employees actively contribute to the protection of our digital infrastructure.