Re: First time/one time use default password

["Miller, Richard H" <rick () BCM EDU>]

There is a risk in doing this since the DOB may be more available especially given social media and the tendency of 
users to be a bit more open in what they share there. So

- What are the risks associated with having widely available information like DoB as a default one time password – This 
is probably a higher risk of people being able to find it out. Most people tend to post their DOB on their 
facebook/whatever pages
- What is the probability of having a breach due to initial password that is comprised of widely available information 
such as DoB – This is probably a bit higher since anyone has an easier time since half of the required elements are 
more likely know. Part of the answer would be how easy is it to determine the student ID for a particular student. If 
the ID is not easily determined then the probability is lower.
- What is the worst case if breach related to this occurs (PII compromise, fines, etc.?) This depends on what type of 
provisioning you do for a new student. The worst case would depend on what they can do out of the box.
- What is your institution have in place for a first time one time use/default password process/procedure We generate a 
random string that can only be used once and expires within a very short period of time. The user must change their 
password when the log in using it
- How is your institution handling the first time network password (generation and delivery) related tasks The password 
is put onto hard copy and given to them at orientation
- How/why you are out of compliance if you have information like DoB as first time/one time use default password
Hope this helps

Rick


Richard H. Miller, CISSP, CCSE+
Information Security Manager
Information Technology Security and Compliance
Information Technology - Baylor College of Medicine



From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Tarun 
Trivedi
Sent: Monday, November 07, 2011 2:29 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: [SECURITY] First time/one time use default password

Our institution currently for new students assigns a unique Student ID Number, which is also their Login ID for the 
institution's computer network. For this Student ID first time/one time use default password is their Date of Birth. 
The new student at their first network login is prompted to change their one time default password.

Keeping in mind the authentication guidance provided under FERPA (34 CFR Part 99, from the page 74848 following 
excerpts:  "The use of widely available information to authenticate identity, such as the recipient’s name, date of 
birth, SSN or student ID number, is not considered reasonable under the regulations.")

I would appreciate your input with following:

- What are the risks associated with having widely available information like DoB as a default one time password
- What is the probability of having a breach due to initial password that is comprised of widely available information 
such as DoB
- What is the worst case if breach related to this occurs (PII compromise, fines, etc.?)
- What is your institution have in place for a first time one time use/default password process/procedure
- How is your institution handling the first time network password (generation and delivery) related tasks
- How/why you are out of compliance if you have information like DoB as first time/one time use default password

Thank you in advance for your time and reply.


Tarun Trivedi

IT Security Engineer
Waubonsee Community College
Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive
Sugar Grove, IL 60554
Ph#630-466-5744
e-mail: ttrivedi () waubonsee edu<mailto:ttrivedi () waubonsee edu>
web site: www.waubonsee.edu<http://www.waubonsee.edu>

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