FAQs: uNID/CIS Passwords

How does password synchronization work?
Do I need to change my password?
What is OIT? What services are offered through OIT?
What is ACS and what services are offered thru ACS?
What if I don't login to the Campus Information System?
What if I forget my password for the Campus Information System?
How do I change my password?
Why are password rules so difficult?
Why can't I access the service I want after I changed my password?
Will my Usernames/User IDs be synchronized, too?
Why are there different computer services (service providers) on campus?
What does it mean to be a PeopleSoft roles user?
HSC Users
If I just reset my HSC password, do I have to get a new one right now?
How often do I have to change my new, synchronized password?
What are the rules for my new password?

How does password synchronization work?

This is very important: Passwords are NOT automatically synchronized. Password synchronization between the two service providers only takes place when you initiate a password change from the Campus Information System.

Right now this is a one-way synchronization. Some time in the not too distant future we will be able to synchronize passwords regardless of where the change is initiated.

Do I need to change my password?

You don't need to change your password unless it has expired. The next time your Campus Information System password expires, change it normally and you will be synchronized from then on. However, if you use a bunch of network services and don't want to remember both passwords, go ahead and change your CIS password now.

What is OIT? What services are offered through OIT?

If you're asking this question you probably don't use any of the services the Office of Information Technology (OIT) provide so you're probably not going to be affected by these changes. OIT services include:

UMail - campus email (your '@utah.edu' address)
Campus wireless access in wireless zones
10 MB server space for personal web-pages, file storage, etc.
Campus modems for limited Internet access
Secure, encrypted access to the campus network via a VPN
On campus ethernet access via WANA network ports
Web proxy access (primarily used for Library database access)
Point of Contact Database (for IT staff)
Office of Software Licensing online purchasing
uNID Account Tools to see account status, make account changes, and more
Online telecommunications billing (Communications Management System)
Authentication to many other campus IT services, like WebCT and student computing labs.

What is ACS and what services are offered thru ACS?

Administrative Computing Services (ACS) supports the PeopleSoft Student
Records, Human Resources, and Financials systems for campus. ACS is a part of the Office of Information Technology. Some of the services provided by ACS include:

Management financial reporting
Accounting system and general ledger access
Student registration and grades
Tuition and transcripts
Course schedules and course registration
Employee, payroll and benefits information

What if I don't login to the Campus Information System?

If you do not currently have reason to login to the Campus Information System, you will. All future password changes for any services using the uNID and password to authenticate must go through the Campus Information System password change process.

What if I forget my password for the Campus Information System?

In most cases you will still be able to call the Campus Help Desk or the HSC ITS Help Desk to reset your password for you. If you have the Help Desk do a password reset you should be near a computer where you can login to the Campus Information System and change your password immediately. You'll have 24 hours to do this. After that time you will be locked out of the systems and need to request another reset.

How do I change my password?

To change your password for network services or the Campus Information System (CIS), you need to log into the CIS (http://cis.utah.edu) and choose the "Change My Password" option in the My Employee Profile box or the My Student Profile box on the page. Password synchronization between the University Network ID system and the CIS began on March 25, 2003. If you changed your CIS password after this service began, you should use the same password to log into the uNID Account Tools.

Why are password rules so difficult?

The University has some rules about the uNID password you choose. Keeping your password safe and hard to guess is critical to ensure that your identity isn't stolen. Think about the consequences of someone assuming your identity and hacking into a University computer system, or spreading a virus or worm across the campus network. You should never share your password with anyone. If you follow the guidelines, you can choose a password that is easy for you to remember (memorize), but hard for someone else to figure out.

Will my Usernames/User IDs be synchronized, too?

No. If you received a Network ID (NID) prior to May 2002, it is in the old format. You may also be using your University Network ID (uNID) in the new format for some services. For more information on old and new Network ID formats and the services they access, please go to the uNID and Password page.

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Why are there different computer services (service providers) on campus?

The Office of Information Technology (OIT) operates the infrastructure systems that provide email, directory services, network access, file storage and similar services. Administrative Computing Services, which is part of OIT, operates all the computing systems that keep sensitive records concerning students, grades, finances, human resources, payroll, etc., commonly referred to as the Campus Information Systems or CIS. HSC ITS supports many Health Sciences applications which will be accessed through the HSC InterComm intranet.

What does it mean to be a PeopleSoft roles user?

Individuals with PeopleSoft Roles have a "MyPage" tab in the Campus Information System (CIS) giving them access to sensitive information in the campus PeopleSoft system. This could include student records, human resources or payroll information, or financial and accounting data. After February 18, 2009, most of these users will have a synced uNID password like all other campus users.

HSC Users

If I just reset my HSC password, do I have to get a new one right now?

No, your new HSC password will work until you are prompted to change it (we’ll send you an e-mail). On the other hand, you could do it now and not have to change it again for 6 months!

How often do I have to change my new, synchronized password?

Only once every 180 days (or 6 months to you and me). This is twice as long of a period between changes than the old HSC password! We are able to accomplish this because the security restrictions are a bit tighter (see the next question).

What are the rules for my new password?

The rules are the same as your CIS password: a minimum of 8 characters, one of which must be a special character (like a shifted character or a number). Also, passwords are more secure when you don’t use a bunch of numbers in a row (like phone numbers, social security numbers, etc.), so we don’t allow more than three numbers in a row. These rules allow us to be more secure as an organization and allow us to have a longer wait in between password changes.

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Password Information

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