World Password Day2026 · Date · History · Messages
Intel states that it created World Password Day in 2013. The observance is held on the first Thursday of May and is now used broadly for cybersecurity awareness; no single exclusive current facilitator is asserted.
About World Password Day
World Password Day is a cybersecurity-awareness observance held on the first Thursday of May.
Intel says it created World Password Day in 2013 to raise awareness about stronger account-security habits.
Why World Password Day matters
The day is best used as a prompt to improve account protection rather than as a reason to reveal, share or publicly discuss real credentials.
Current security guidance emphasizes unique passwords, password managers and multifactor authentication; where supported, newer passwordless methods such as passkeys can also reduce reliance on traditional passwords.
History of World Password Day
Security author Mark Burnett promoted the broader idea of a recurring “password day” before the modern observance.
Intel says it created World Password Day in 2013.
The observance is held on the first Thursday of May and is now marked by many security organizations rather than being controlled by one exclusive current facilitator.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
Password Day concept proposed by Mark Burnett
Burnett advocated a recurring password-maintenance day before Intel created World Password Day in 2013.
Intel
Intel states that it created World Password Day in 2013.
Intel
Intel launched the modern World Password Day awareness initiative.
First documented observance
Intel states that it created World Password Day in 2013.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
6 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
How to Observe World Password Day
Turn on multifactor authentication for important accounts that support it.
Use a reputable password manager to create and store long, unique passwords rather than reusing one password across services.
Replace passwords immediately if you know or suspect they have been exposed, and review account-recovery options while you still have access.
Never post, email or share your real passwords as part of a World Password Day challenge or social-media activity.
World Password Day Facts
World Password Day is held on the first Thursday of May.
Intel says it created the observance in 2013.
The day promotes safer authentication and account-security habits.
CISA recommends strong unique passwords, password managers and multifactor authentication as core protections.
World Password Day Messages
Happy World Password Day—secure the accounts that matter without sharing the secrets that protect them.
Happy World Password Day—use the occasion to make one important account harder to compromise.
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
Intel Community — Intel created World Password Day in 2013 (opens in a new tab)
Creator First Party
CISA — Secure Our World (opens in a new tab)
Government Cybersecurity Guidance
Erie County Consumer Protection — World Password Day (opens in a new tab)
Government Consumer Protection Awareness
Microsoft Security — World Password Day first Thursday in May (opens in a new tab)
Security Industry Source
Mark Burnett — earlier Password Day concept (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is World Password Day?
First Thursday in May; 7 May in 2026 The documented recurrence rule is: First Thursday in May.
Does World Password Day fall on the same date every year?
It follows a recurring calendar rule, so the Gregorian date can change from year to year.
Is World Password Day an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: Cybersecurity-awareness observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes World Password Day?
The reviewed sources identify Intel as the proclaiming or establishing body.
Is World Password Day international or country-specific?
No single country is assigned to this observance. Its documented scope is: Cybersecurity-awareness observance. Use that scope rather than assuming worldwide or country-specific status.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-19.
When is World Password Day?
It is observed on the first Thursday of May.
Who created World Password Day?
Intel says it created the modern observance in 2013.
What is a useful way to participate?
Review important accounts, use unique passwords or a password manager, and enable multifactor authentication where available.
Should I share or post my password for the day?
No. Never disclose real passwords or other authentication secrets as part of an observance.
Other observances on May 6
These observances are also listed on May 6, 2027.
National Day of Prayer
36 U.S.C. §119
National Nurses Day
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No Homework Day
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