Re: Minimum userid character length

["Shalla, Kevin" <kshalla () UIC EDU>]

Our three campuses have different standards for username generation, ranging from automatically assigning based upon a 
formula (first initial + last name + number if not unique) to allowing a user to use anything that’s currently unused. 
I’m pushing for a standard that requires that the username to be composed from name, with the person being allowed to 
choose from a list (containing parts of at least two parts of name (first, middle, last). That would allow people to 
omit first name if they prefer middle name, or even omit last name for those who think they may change last name (like 
unmarried women) and wouldn’t want a username that would tie to the previous name.

We currently have silly usernames like gambler and titan that are unrelated to the person’s name, and so convey no 
information to users of the username (everyone except the owner). Given that the owners are not really the main users 
of their own username (the main users are access administrators, e-mailers, etc.), it wastes staff time if users are 
allowed to choose non-name-based usernames.

Kevin Shalla
Academic and Enrollment Services
University of Illinois at Chicago

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Antonio 
Crespo
Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2016 8:46 AM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: Re: [SECURITY] Minimum userid character length

I see this as security through obscurity.  The longer the username, the harder it may be to find a valid username and 
attack actual accounts.  However, that requires obscurity everywhere and I'm not sure how much complexity it adds since 
a lot of institutions have public directories of users, and many email providers allow email address harvesting attacks.

For our students, we mirror Columbia's username consisting of initials plus an arbitrary number.

For Faculty and Staff we use a 7 digit combination of names to make the accounts easier to remember.


--

Best Regards,

Antonio Crespo
Senior Director, IT Security
Barnard College

"Passwords are like toothbrushes: don’t share them, and change them periodically!"


***This message is intended for the use of the addressee and may contain information that is privileged and/or 
confidential. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or 
copying of the information contained in this message is strictly unauthorized and prohibited. If you have received this 
message in error, please notify the sender by reply e-mail and delete the message from your system.  Opinions, 
conclusions or other statements in this message are neither given nor endorsed by Barnard College.  This email is for 
informational purposes only and not meant to bind the sender or Barnard College.***

On Thu, Jan 28, 2016 at 8:14 AM, Carroll, Tim <Carrolltd () roanestate edu<mailto:Carrolltd () roanestate edu>> wrote:
John,

Roane State created a standard for assigning user names and is spelled out in our procedures documents.  It is last 
name, first and middle initial and then a sequence number where duplicates arise.  Mine for example is carrolltd. This 
is done automatically when an employee is added to our HR system… it is the same for students when accepted and 
enrolled.

Regards,

Tim
Tim Carroll
Assistant Vice President and Chief Information Officer
Information Technology
Roane State Community College
carrolltd () roanestate edu<mailto:carrolltd () roanestate edu>
865-882-4560<tel:865-882-4560>

From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv [mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU<mailto:SECURITY () 
LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU>] On Behalf Of John Elliott
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2016 8:23 PM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU<mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU>
Subject: [SECURITY] Minimum userid character length

Hello Community,
  It looks like the topic of security related to username length has been hotly debated in some 
circles<http://security.stackexchange.com/questions/46875/why-is-there-a-minimum-username-length>. From my reading the 
danger is in being likely to receive more spam, thus more exposure to phishing etc. Though this is security related I 
don't think it's strictly less secure. That said, I have a negative gut reaction to single letter usernames as well and 
don't have any objection to implementing a minimum username length requirement so long as there is *some* basis for the 
character limit. I have the same negative gut reaction to arbitrarily choosing a minimum as well. What does your 
institution recommend to their users?
Thanks,

~John Elliott

[Image removed by sender.]
John Elliott
Security Team Lead / Systems Administrator - A.I.S.
California College of the Arts
Phone: 415.551.9228<tel:415.551.9228>
Zoom Personal Meeting URL: https://cca.zoom.us/j/3677415794
technology.cca.edu<http://technology.cca.edu/> | Email: jelliott () cca edu<mailto:jelliott () cca edu>

For technical support, contact the ETS Helpdesk:
Phone: 510.594.5010<tel:510.594.5010> | Fax: 510.594.3758<tel:510.594.3758>
helpdesk.cca.edu<http://helpdesk.cca.edu/> | Email: helpdesk () cca edu<mailto:helpdesk () cca edu>

________________________________

This email is intended for the addressee and may contain privileged information. If you are not the addressee, you are 
not permitted to use or copy this email or its attachments nor may you disclose the same to any third party. If this 
has been sent to you in error, please delete the email and notify us by replying to this email immediately.