The Second Annual Bitwarden World Password Day Survey

For the most current data, please visit the World Password Day resource page or The Survey Room.

Leading up to World Password Day on May 5th, 2022, Bitwarden conducted its second global survey to understand the state of internet users and password management. This year’s findings show that people take online security seriously, though there is still work ahead.

Almost all (90%) of global respondents are ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ familiar with password security best practices - but does being familiar mean putting into practice? Not quite. For example:

• A majority of global respondents (84%) reuse passwords across more than 1 site

• Almost one fifth (21%) of respondents reset their passwords every day or multiple times a week

• Over half (55%) of global respondents rely on their memories to manage passwords

Over two thirds (68%) of global respondents believe it is more important for a password to be secure than easy to remember. And yet, over half still rely on their memory to manage passwords, even though memory is unreliable. Of the one third of global respondents who use password managers, a majority (51%) started because they ‘kept forgetting’ their passwords.

There are bright lights in the findings. In a world in which almost a quarter (23%) of global respondents have been affected by a data breach, it is encouraging to learn that two-factor authentication (2FA) or two-step login has truly gone mainstream. Most (83%) of global respondents are ‘somewhat’ or ‘very’ familiar with 2FA. Almost three fourths (73%) of global respondents use 2FA for work and over three fourths (78%) use it for personal accounts.

Respondents also take workplace security seriously. Even though only 1 in 4 respondents are required to use a password manager at work, the majority (64%) believe workplaces should provide employees with a password manager to protect credentials. And while most employees expect to return to work, 83% believe employers should provide security tools and training specifically for remote workers.

So what can be done? These issues (password reuse, forgetfulness, continual resets) can be easily alleviated with a password manager. Password managers such as Bitwarden offer convenience and flexibility and are available at no extra cost for individuals.

World Password Day on May 5th, 2022 marks the perfect time to start.

At Bitwarden, we like to envision a world where everyone can take control of their online security. In that world, password management for individuals can and should be free. This belief is deeply rooted in our mission at Bitwarden to serve the global community with software that can help everyone take control of their digital identity. We welcome you to explore all Bitwarden plans and features available for both individuals and businesses.

The best way to protect yourself online is by taking your security into your own hands with a password manager you can trust. With the right password manager, you will discover an online experience that affords you both security and convenience. For instance, Bitwarden works wherever you are, ensuring availability across all of your devices and applications. Meanwhile, you can store, access, and share sensitive data knowing your information is secured with end-to-end encryption before it ever leaves your device.

View the full results of the World Password Day Global Survey for 2022.

Open presentation for download options here.

Read the World Password Day Global Survey Full Report here.

The survey was conducted in conjunction with independent research firm Propeller Insights who surveyed 2000+ people in countries around the world including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and Japan.

Interested in getting started with Bitwarden right away? Sign up for a basic free account across all of your devices, or launch a free trial for a Teams or Enterprise Organization.