CNS Password Information

CNS Password Information

"What's The Password?"
A Security Awareness Reminder from UF Computing & Networking Services [CNS]

Note This article applies specifically to CNS "mainframe" passwords (used to log in to NERMVS, NERTSO, NERCICS, etc.). In particular, the password-length and special-character limitations do not apply to GatorLink or other non-CNS-mainframe passwords. However, the principles and methods of strong password generation described in this article are generally applicable to most, if not all, password-protected systems.

Your CNS password is a vitally-important part of the security of UF's computer systems, network, and data. You have the responsibility to manage your password securely.

What Should Your Password Be?
Your CNS password must be a minimum of 5 characters long and a maximum of 8 characters. It may (and should!) contain letters (upper and lower case), numbers and the characters "#", "$", or "@" (only).

Things NOT To Use

• Any dictionary word, person- or place-name
• Any birthday, address, phone number, car license tag, or social security number; including your own, your partner's, or your children's
• Your hobby, musical instrument, sport, favorite actor/actress, or favorite movie/TV show
• Anything else that anyone who knows you could associate with you!
• Any of the above "transformed" forward, backward, inside out, in pieces, or in any combination.

In addition, you should use different passwords for userIDs on different systems. That way, if one of your userIDs is compromised, the rest will still be secure.

For details, please refer to the following CNS documents

• D0192: Passwords and Permissions; Securing Your Data at CNS
• D0005: How to Change Your CNS Password
• Password Security Awareness Poster
• Password Security Awareness Handout

In addition to the above references, which deal specifically with CNS passwords, the following documents should be of interest to all UF students, faculty and staff, regarding GatorLink passwords.

• GatorLink Password Management
• GatorLink Password Tips

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This page was last updated Sep. 12, 2006 by CNS Information Services