Many of UAA’s computer and network services require users to ‘login’ using a UAA-assigned, qualified username and a unique password. The ‘login’ is required to determine the user’s authenticity. Authentication is required for a wide variety of services such as email access, computer access, library database access, Blackboard access or VPN access. Today, UAA users use a username referred to as the CampusID, plus a password.
CampusID is comprised of a character identifying the user’s campus, another character identifying the user’s role (student, staff, faculty), followed by the user’s initials and an optional number used to eliminate duplications. For example, the first Anchorage student with the intials abc would have the CampusID asabc. All students, staff and faculty are issued CampusID’s today. Together, a user’s CampusID plus their password is referred to as an identity.
The management of usernames, passwords and certain electronic personal attributes is referred to as Identity Management. UAA has recently installed a new Identity Management system from Sun Microsystems™ that improves our identity management and directory services. Today, many of the improvements are invisible with a couple of notable new features and options. They are:
New Directory Update Interface. When you wish to change your password or update directory information such as your title, your department or your telephone number, you will see a new interface at http://technology.uaa.alaska.edu/computer/ID/ when you select “Directory Update”. This new user interface will ask you to ‘login’ using your CampusID and password. You will then see options to change your password and change other directory attributes. You will also see the following new options.
Change Answers to Authentication Questions. This new feature gives you more control to reset your password without having to call the IT Call Center. The first time you access this Identity Management option you will be asked to answer three of five questions about yourself such as, “What city were you born in?” Answer three questions with information that you can remember in the future. Then, the next time you forget your password you can click on “Forgot Your Password?” and you’ll be asked to answer one of the three questions. If you answer the question correctly you’ll be asked to set and confirm a new password. That’s it!
Strong Passwords. Recent concerns for identity theft and security at UAA have encouraged us to plan for implementation of stricter policies for passwords. Effective immediately, certain new stricter standards for passwords have been implemented. Passwords must comply with the following:
• be a minimum of 6 characters in length;
• three of these characters must include: lowercase, uppercase, numeric, or special characters (!,@,#,$,%,^,&,*,(,),?);
• password cannot contain CampusID or name and be valid;
• password history of 5 passwords has been implemented to prevent flipping back and forth between selected passwords.
What is my UA GlobalID? This new option explains the new University of Alaska GlobalID which will replace the current CampusID in the coming months. You have been issued a GlobalID and can see what it is by selecting this option.
The new features of the UAA Identity Management system do not take effect until you attempt to change your password. So, you can wait to use the new features until you want to try them out. If you have questions concerning the new Identity Management system please contact the IT Call Center at 786-4646 or 877-633-3888. You can also reach the Callcenter by emailing callcenter@uaa.alaska.edu
