Passwords

Q: Who is responsible if I "lend" my password to my co-worker and she uses it to look up information on a friend she’s concerned about?
A: Both have violated the organization’s policy. You are ultimately responsible for having shared your password.

Q: If your co-worker has forgotten his or her password but needs to access the system, what should you do?
A: Don’t share your ID and password. Your co-worker should call the help desk to have it reset.

Q: Is it okay to hide your password under your mouse pad or keyboard tray?
A: No. Passwords "hidden" this way can be easily found. This is not taking reasonable care to keep your password secret.

Q: What should you do if your computer access doesn’t let you see information you need? Is it all right to ask a co-worker to share her password when the need is legitimate?
A: No. You should talk to your manager and arrange for the necessary access. It is never permissible to use someone else’s password.

Q: How do I select a strong password?
A: The Office of Information Technology has developed a password guide with general directions on how to choose passwords.