Educause Security Discussion mailing list archives

Self-Service Password Reset Practices


From: Russ Wade <Russ.Wade () WICHITA EDU>
Date: Mon, 25 Jul 2005 13:13:44 -0500

Hello,

We at Wichita State University are in the early stages of implementing an
Identity Management system.  We will use a single sign-on to authenticate
access to multiple applications.  This will include, in part, SCT Banner
for back office and student use.  Our email system will use this same
sign-on and be equally affected by lockouts and password changes.

We are using strong passwords and anticipate a high volume of password
reset requests.

We are interested in ways others have found practical and secure for a
self-service password reset function.

We are considering requiring the following information for password
resets:

        First Name
        Last Name
        SSN
        Date of Birth
        Current Mailing Zip Code

We would send an email notification to individuals when their password is
reset, but their first indication of an intruder password reset would be
the inability to log on.

Is this generally considered sufficient or do most institutions include
some additional form of security, such as a challenge question?

Thanks,

Russ

Russ Wade,
SCT Banner Security Specialist
Wichita State University
University Computing and Telecommunications Services
1845 Fairmount
Wichita, KS  67260-0098
Email:   Russ.Wade () Wichita edu
Office:  (316) 978-3859
Mobile: (316) 312-0185
Fax:     (316) 978-3894

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