NCSA Allocations: Security

Required Security Software

All NCSA computer system users are required to use software that eliminates sending of passwords in clear-text logins over the network. Please review the instructions on required encryption security software and the Public Key Infrastructure (PKI).

Password Recommendations

NCSA requires that you change your password at least once a year and not give it to anyone else to protect the security of your files as well as others on the NCSA systems.

WARNING: Never send your password in an e-mail!

Follow these methods for selecting a password that adheres to NCSA guidelines:

Choose a line from a song or poem, using the first letter of each word, including at least one non-alphabetic character.
Alternate between one consonant and one or two vowels, up to seven or eight characters, creating nonsense words that are usually pronounceable and easily remembered, and including at least one non-alphabetic character.
Choose two short words and concatenate them with a punctuation character between them.

Do use:

Alphabetic characters replaced with non-alphabetic mixed-case alphabetic characters
Alphabetic characters replaced with non-alphabetic at least one non-alphabetic character (digits or punctuation), which should be imbedded in the password
Alphabetic characters replaced with non-alphabetic a password that is easy to remember, so that you don't have to write it down
Alphabetic characters replaced with non-alphabetic a password that you can type quickly, without having to look at the keyboard

Do NOT use:

Your login name in any form
Your or your family members names
Other information easily obtained about you, such as license plate numbers, telephone numbers, etc.
A password of all digits, or all the same letter
A word contained in English or foreign language dictionaries, spelling lists, or other lists of words
A password shorter than six characters
Alphabetic characters replaced with non-alphabetic characters that are look-a-likes: '0' for 'o' or '1' for 'l'

Read more about choosing a good password.

Allocations & Accounts Security

Required Security Software

Password Recommendations