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Swinburne's Identity Management System Update
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Update by Daniel Scheltinga
IdM Project Manager
As highlighted in the August issue of Stay Connected, Swinburne is currently implementing an Identity Management (IdM) System that will, amongst other things, deliver fewer user names and passwords for Swinburne staff and students.
The majority of students log in to Swinburne applications and services using their Student ID as their username and their date of birth as their default password. However, the format of the date of birth can vary across applications and services. For example, some applications and services require the format DD/MM/YYYY (i.e. 28/03/1980) whilst others require the format DDMMYY (i.e. 280380). Once the IdM system is introduced current students will enjoy the benefit of having the same password across applications and services connected to the IdM system.
New students will receive automatic access to nominated Swinburne applications and services such as email, wireless and My.Swinburne much faster than was previously possible. Thus, the IdM system will allow students to ‘get on with it’ within hours of having their enrolment acknowledged.
Most staff log into the University’s network using their Novell username. Once the IdM system goes live, this username will be used to access the majority of applications and services connected to the IdM system. Usernames will essentially become aligned across various systems and staff will be able to access numerous applications and services using the same username, and in most cases, the same password.
Like students, future staff will receive automatic access to several applications and services such as the Novell network, GroupWise email, Wireless network and My.Swinburne within hours of being entered in the University’s Human Resource Management System. This will happen automatically, resulting in a reduction in the number of paper based forms previously required to obtain access to even the most basic IT applications and services. Conversely, staff will automatically have their accounts cut off at midnight on the day of their termination as recorded in the HR system.
As noted above, the IdM project team is aligning usernames and passwords across nominated applications and services. As a result, a small number of staff may be contacted directly to advise them of a pending change to their existing application specific username, or a requirement to reset their password to ensure their passwords synchronise across all systems correctly. The IdM project team appreciates your support during this transition period.
In addition to reducing the number of usernames and passwords for both staff and students, passwords will be aligned with the ‘Information Technology Security Policy’, improving the quality and security of passwords across included applications.
The core Identity Management System is scheduled to go live in late 2007. Integration and cut-over for nominated applications and services will occur early 2008 in line with business and academic calendars.
For more information on this project please contact the IdM Project Manager,
Daniel Scheltinga, on 9214 5001 (ext 5001) or 0404 011 701 (ext 3061).
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