- Beginning March 15, 2023, you will be required to create a stronger network password when your password is due to expire. Please note: This change does not impact passwords used to access clinical applications.
Some of the key changes you can expect include:
- The minimum password length will increase from 8 to 12 characters.
- Passwords that are frequently used (e.g. spring2022), easily guessable (e.g. password1234) or known to have been part of security breaches will not be permitted.
- By using stronger, more secure passwords, the expiry cycle for network passwords will be extended from 90 to 365 days in summer 2023.
- You may find that it takes a few attempts to update your password as the patterns or words you’re accustomed to using no longer work. You may also forget your password more frequently as you adjust to these changes.
To prepare:
- Sign up for the new Self-Service Password Reset (SSPR) tool to make it easier and faster to reset your network password without having to call the Service Desk.
- Follow the instructions emailed to you around the time your password is set to expire with tips about how to create a strong, memorable password.
- Use a passphrase (you must be on the network to access it), which is longer and more complex than a password. One way to do this is to choose a phrase you can remember. For example, let’s take a line from the Beatles song “With a Little Help from My Friends”: “What do I do when my love is away. Does it worry you to be alone?” Now, reduce it to the first letter of each word, working in some capitalization and punctuation: WdidWmlia.diWytba?
- The new password rules and SSPR tool only apply to network passwords (which are used to access health organization workstations, webmail, remote access, network drives and intranet sites). The Service Desk will still be available to help with other application password resets, if needed.
- For more information about this change, refer to this info sheet and FAQs. You can also visit the IMITS InfoCentre. You must be on the network to access these resources.