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?
How will I know if the password synchronization worked?
Why can't I access the service I want after I changed my password?
Will my Usernames/User IDs be synchronized, too?
Why can't I access webmail, VPN or my campus storage space with my uNID and password?
Why are there different computer services (service providers) on campus?
Why doesn't my password synchronize between ACS and OIT services?
What does it mean to be a PeopleSoft roles user?
Is something going to be done to fix this problem?

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)
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
Student Lab computer resources
Library wired & wireless access
Campus wireless access in wireless zones
WebCT online courses and tools
Web proxy access (primarily used for Library database access)
Point of Contact Database (for staff/faculty)
Office of Software Licensing online purchasing
Tools to see account status, make account changes, and more
Online telecommunications billing (Communications Management System)

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. 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 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://gate.acs.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.

How will I know if the password synchronization worked?

At the time you change your password, you will receive information on whether or not it will replicate out to campus. If you are told your synchronization was successful, it is because you are a Network services user. Campus members using only ACS services will not have synchronization occur when they change their CIS password.

Why can't I access the service I want after I changed my password?

It takes 10-15 minutes in some cases for the synchronization to work on all the systems running the services you access. Please try again after waiting at least 10 minutes.

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.

Why can't I access webmail, VPN or my campus storage space with my uNID and password?

Your password may not be allowed to synchronize from CIS (Campus Information Systems) to the services provided by Netcom, which includes webmail, VPN access, and campus file storage. This situation arises because some staff and faculty members have access to sensitive records in the CIS systems and synchronizing passwords from that system to others presents too great a security risk.

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

Computing services, at least since the demise of central mainframe systems, by their very nature are distributed. Here at the University of Utah, Administrative Computing Services operates all the computing systems that keep sensitive records concerning students, grades, finances, human resources, payroll, etc. These are commonly referred to as the Campus Information Systems or CIS. The Office of Information Technology (OIT) operates the 'infrastructure systems that provide email, directory services, network access, file storage and similar services. These are very distinct kinds of operations and require two different organizations.

Why doesn't my password synchronize between ACS and OIT services?

This situation arises because some staff and faculty members have access to sensitive records in the ACS systems and synchronizing passwords from that system to others presents too great a security risk. Computer users that fall into this category need to maintain their ACS and OIT services passwords separately. These individuals are PeopleSoft Roles users.

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. Computer user accounts with this flag will not be able to synchronize their CIS password with their NetCom services accounts. individuals with PeopleSoft roles, such as Payroll reporters, must maintain two passwords to gain access to the applications that accept their PeopleSoft passwords, and to access NetCom-OIT services.

Is something going to be done to fix this problem?

The need for a higher level of security will always remain for computer users that access sensitive information on campus. To address this issue a project is being undertaken to provide a token or certificate to users with the PSRoles flag that will give them the added security required to access sensitive information and allow access to their other campus services with one password. Because of the complex nature of this project it will likely take over a year to implement.

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