Overwhelmed by Digital Keys: Why 168 Accounts Per Person Is Too Many

The average person now manages 168 digital keys—passwords, access codes, and other credentials—according to a 2024 NordPass survey. This staggering number highlights a growing problem: our current systems for managing digital identities are unsustainable, leading to user frustration and security risks. Secure decentralized identity offers a potential solution to this overwhelming challenge.

The Burden of 168 Digital Keys

In 2024, NordPass found that the average individual juggles 168 digital keys, a significant increase from the 100 estimated in 2020. This growth reflects the explosion of online services, from work accounts to streaming platforms, each requiring its own login. For the average user, this means memorizing or managing nearly 170 unique credentials—an impossible task without assistance.

The sheer volume creates friction. Users struggle to remember complex passwords, leading to risky behaviors like password reuse or writing them down in insecure places, such as Excel spreadsheets or sticky notes. NordPass reports that 75% of users fail to follow best practices, often reusing passwords across multiple platforms. This makes them easy targets for attackers, who can use a single compromised credential to access multiple accounts.

The Human Cost of Complexity

The user experience is suffering. Security measures designed to protect us—such as requiring complex passwords or frequent resets—often backfire. A typical employee might spend hours each month resetting forgotten passwords, a productivity drain that frustrates both individuals and organizations. Worse, the complexity drives users to bypass security altogether. For example, sharing passwords via email or storing them in unsecured cloud services like Dropbox is all too common, especially in small businesses where centralized IT solutions are lacking.

I've seen this firsthand. At my digital agency, we once spent a month recovering access to client accounts after an employee left, simply because passwords were scattered across Excel files and Dropbox folders. The process was not only time-consuming but also costly, and it happened twice when we later needed to revisit those clients. This kind of friction is a universal problem, and it's driving users to their breaking point.

A Smarter Approach to Identity

The 168 digital keys statistic is a clear signal: we can't keep managing identities this way. Secure decentralized identity systems could drastically reduce this burden. By using cryptographic keys stored on a user's device, these systems eliminate the need for dozens of passwords. Instead of juggling 168 credentials, you'd manage a single, secure key that authenticates you across platforms—no passwords required.

This approach not only simplifies the user experience but also enhances security. Decentralized systems reduce the risk of credential theft by eliminating centralized databases that hackers can target. They empower users to control their own identities, reducing friction and the temptation to resort to risky workarounds. The future of digital identity should be seamless, secure, and user-centric—and 168 digital keys per person is a reminder of how far we have to go.