Patrick McGrath, IST–CCS
Growing concerns about Internet and system security have prompted the campus to reexamine application systems access. IST and the Office of the Controller have worked together to tighten controls and access to sensitive campus data. Under the direction of the Controller and in accordance with University policy, we are now ready to implement changes that will bring our mission-critical system administration procedures more closely in line with policy and the guidelines established by the UC Office of the President that are set forth in Business & Finance Bulletin IS-3, Electronic Information Security (http://www.ucop.edu/ucophome/policies/bfb/is3.pdf).
One of the key elements of application system access protection is the enforcement of a more robust password. Starting March 30, the format of your password for many applications will be tightened. You will have to change your password whether you are already in compliance with the new format or not. The new password must be exactly eight characters in length and must begin with a capital alphabetic character, followed by any of these characters: alphabet in caps, the digits 0 through 9, $, @, #. This format is dictated by operating systems limitations. For example: ABCQ#A9N is a valid password.
Application systems affected on March 30 include
Complete information and instructions on how to change your passwords, as well as the software to do so, will be available on the BFS TechTips website (http://bfs-techtips.berkeley.edu/) starting February 15.
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Berkeley Computing & Communications,
Volume 12, Number 1 (Winter 2002)
Copyright 2002, The Regents of the University of California