Effective May 3, ITS will be updating its password policy to encourage stronger security measures at WCM. This policy – which is being done in conjunction with NYP – will require all faculty, staff, and students to update their passwords in order to comply with our new parameters. Everyone must update their WCM password by June 3 using our myAccount site.
New password updates
Starting today, all WCM passwords:
- Need to be at least 16 characters long
- Do not need to be updated every six months
- Do not require special characters, like punctuation
How will I remember a password that long?
We understand – 16 characters is very long! However, we’ve implemented this policy to better protect our users and their accounts. Plus, longer passwords are easier to remember if you create a passphrase instead. To learn more about why we’re enforcing longer passwords, and how to create a memorable passphrase, watch this short video.
Are there other ways to make my accounts more secure?
Aside from selecting a longer passphrase, we highly recommend using a password management tool, like LastPass. LastPass automatically generates random passwords for all of your work and personal accounts, but all you need to remember is one master password to access everything. Visit the ITS website for more details on how to use LastPass.
What if I also access NYP web services?
NYP is implementing the same policy, so there will be no password conflicts between institutions when it comes to accessing your accounts.
What happens if I don’t change my password by June 3?
Access to your WCM accounts may be blocked until your password complies with our new policy. In order to prevent disruptions in your work, please update your password as soon as possible.
I noticed a sign-in change to the Weill Research Gateway.
Yes, due to our policy change, the Weill Research Gateway (WRG) now requires two-factor authentication using Duo to log in. This is required only when users are off-campus or not using VPN. Visit our Duo page for more details on using this service.
Where can I get more info?
For more information, visit its.weill.cornell.edu/password. If you have any issues changing your password in myAccount, contact the Service Desk.