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UD moves to new ID process for secure web sites

During the changeover, users will be able to use either UDel NetID and password or Social Security Number and PIN to access secure data.
10:49 a.m., Feb. 16, 2004--With increasing concerns across the nation about identity theft and the use of Social Security Numbers (SSN) for identification and authentication, the University is moving to a new identification process for all its secure web services.

“One of the University’s highest priorities is its commitment to the security of our academic and business systems and the confidentiality of information about our faculty, staff and students,” Susan Foster, vice president for information technologies, said.

Social Security Numbers began being used as identifiers by colleges and universities across the country more than 30 years ago, well before issues of identity theft arose, according to Joseph V. Di Martile, assistant provost for student services and University registrar.

In recent years, as the concerns about identity theft have increased, UD began to evaluate its use of SSNs. Four years ago, SSNs no longer appeared on University ID cards, and students who did not want to use their SSNs as their student IDs were given the option to use a different number, Di Martile said.

Now, in place of the traditional SSN and personal identification number (PIN), users of secured web services at UD will be able to use a UDel NetID and password.

For more information about security and the Internet at UD, including links on guarding against identity theft, visit [http://www.udel.edu/security/secinternet.html].

Not sure of your UDel NetID? Visit [www.udel.edu/network].

The UDel Net ID is the same as the Unix username, such as “janedoe” of “janedoe@udel.edu.” Persons who are not sure of their Unix usernames can go to the University’s network service page at [www.udel.edu/network] where they will enter their SSN and PIN one last time to learn their UDel NetID and change or set a password.

During the migration process, users will be able to choose either SSN/PIN or UDel NetID/Password as their authentication to access secure data. The use of SSN/PIN will no longer be an option after Aug. 15, 2004.

Beginning March 1, the new Central Authentication Service screens that ask for either UDel NetID/password or SSN/PIN will begin to appear. If you have shared your password, be sure to change it before March 1. The UDel NetID/password change will first be made to central University systems and then departmental uses of SSN will be addressed. Departments on campus that use SSNs as identification numbers and currently do not have CITA support should contact IT-User Services for help in moving toward the new UDel NetID.

“One of our concerns is that individuals may have shared their UNIX passwords with others so that e-mail could be checked, for instance,” Carl Jacobson, director of IT-Management Information Services, said. “Passwords, of course, should never be shared, and now such a practice could give someone access not only to your e-mail but to your payroll and benefits information. Anyone who has shared his or her UNIX password with another should go to the University’s network page at [www.udel.edu/network] and change it.”

Several University functions already have moved away from Social Security Numbers.

  • The new Human Resources system, implemented in 2002, has eliminated SSNs for its processes, and those functions now use an employee ID number. Employees may have noticed this number on their payroll stubs in their web views.
  • The replacement of the University’s aging student information system is now the focus of a project team led by Di Martile. The new system will not use SSNs as student identifiers. The target date of implementation of that new system is the summer of 2006.

    Anyone with questions should visit the IT Help Center at [www.udel.edu/help] or call 831-6000.

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