February 12, 2004

IT news

Information Technology has added a new online tool to provide faculty, staff and students a way to manage their NetID passwords.

This new service enables users to reset forgotten or expired University NetID passwords online anytime, without needing to call on IT Support Center staff.

Previously, users set up a personal question and answer on the Web that was used to verify their identity by the IT Support Center in the case of a forgotten or expired password. Users are now encouraged to create a Personal Identification Number (PIN), just as they might create a bank PIN, for online identification.

If users need to reset their password, this new online service will prompt them for their NetID, PIN, Emplid/Student ID (located on pay stubs or updated WildCARDs) and birthday. Users will have three chances per day to complete this process correctly. Once the required information is entered, users may reset their password.

“IT is advancing self-service online tools for the Northwest-ern community to provide a more convenient and effective way for people to manage their information,” said Wendy Woodward, director of IT Technology Support Services. “This ‘just-in-time’ feature will allow users to reset their forgotten or expired NetID passwords anytime in order to access NetID-authenticated sites such as CAESAR.”

Although not recommended, those who do not wish to participate in this service can simply disable the PIN for their NetID by checking the appropriate option online. Users are still required to utilize the online question-and-answer tool in the event that their identity needs to be verified over the telephone by the NUIT Support Center staff.

For security and convenience, IT recommends that users visit the NetID Services Web site at https://snap.it.northwestern.edu/ to change their password and set up a PIN.

For further information, contact the IT Support Center at (847) 491-HELP (4357) or e-mail consultant@northwestern.edu.